Gillingham's hopes for a third consecutive win were dashed but not diminished as they fought to secure a 2-2 draw against Cheltenham Town at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium on December 20, 2024. Despite leading early on, the Gills saw their advantage slip away, yet the sentiment among the players remained largely positive.
Gillingham opened the scoring with Jayden Clarke finding the net after just 24 minutes, taking advantage of a mishap by Cheltenham goalkeeper Joe Day. His error led to Clarke slotting home from close range following a low shot from Elliott Nevitt, enabled by Ethan Coleman's pass. The Gills had several chances to extend their lead, but Cheltenham responded strongly.
Just after the half hour mark, Cheltenham's Luke Young struck back, netting the equalizer with a stunning free-kick curled perfectly from 25 yards. The strike found the top right corner beyond Gillingham's celebrated 41-year-old goalkeeper Glenn Morris, who was celebrating his birthday. The first half ended 1-1, with both sides going back to the dressing room trading jabs and jibes.
After the interval, it was Cheltenham who grabbed the lead. George Miller, with his sixth goal of the season, put the visitors up 2-1 just past the hour mark, heading home from Tom Bradbury's cross. The goal stunned the home crowd and shifted the momentum firmly in Cheltenham's favor.
Yet Gillingham, showcasing their resilience this season, responded with tenacity. Substitute George Lapslie leveled the score once more with eight minutes to go, connecting with Nevitt after some slick passing. Lapslie's effort sent the home support back to life, prompting cries of encouragement from the stands.
Despite a thrilling climax where Gillingham nearly stole all three points, the game concluded level at 2-2. Bradley Dack rattled the crossbar deep in stoppage time, setting the scene for what could have been jubilant celebrations as the crowd still buzzed with excitement after Lapslie's equalizer.
Reflecting on the match, Gillingham defender Conor Masterson spoke about the mixed emotions felt on the pitch. "We're frustrated, but I think there are more positives than negatives to take out of this game," he said. Masterson felt the team's opening 45 minutes ranked among their best, stressing, "We could have scored more. Honestly, that's the best we've played with the ball in a long time. We were controlling the game completely." His acknowledgment of the missed opportunities highlighted the growing confidence within the squad.
Despite the frustration of conceding, particularly the second goal, Masterson remained optimistic. "It's an annoying goal for us; we don’t usually concede those types of goals as a team," he lamented. Still, he emphasized how the squad had not only avoided defeat but managed to come away with a point. "But it shows how far we have come; earlier this season, we might have lost this game 2-1. But now, we've picked up seven points from our last three games, just shy of the play-off places. That’s inspiring for all of us moving forward!"
Looking to the future, the defender highlighted the importance of maintaining this momentum as they head toward the holiday fixtures. “We keep picking up points and with injuries returning, it truly feels like the team is starting to gel. We're not far off being brilliant, yet we aspire to be more than just good,” Masterson concluded. His words assure fans of Gillingham's aspirations for the rest of the league campaign as they prepare for the Boxing Day match against Colchester.
This match clearly demonstrated Gillingham's ability to bounce back when facing adversity. While the point feels valuable, it’s the underlying sense of improvement and unity within the team that's sparking hope among fans. If Gillingham can maintain this type of performance on the pitch, the festive period could turn out to be very fruitful. Excitement swells as the Gills look to build on this momentum and strive for play-off positions as the league progresses.
