100 (AND A BIT) YEARS OF PRIDE & PASSION

It's the first time for years I have used the train for a match requiring travel through London.

It was my first real sighting of the sparkling new(ish) St Pancras International. All very smart and swish. Then the problems began. I had to use the Underground to get to Victoria. Those cases on wheels should be banned! How I made it across London with both my ankles intact I'll never know.

One of those Cornish pasty franchises have an outlet on the station concourse at Victoria which was much to my liking.

If the outward journey was a trauma the return was worse. I got to Victoria at the same time as the returning, noisy Leeds fans. The tube station was closed until they had boarded a train which went non-stop to Kings Cross. The atmosphere was strained and apprehensive although, to be fair, I saw no trouble.(Ketts, any chance of telling us about the match? Ed.)

Honours were even in the Selkent derby at a blustery Priestfield Stadium. An often turgid game came to life in the final few minutes. Clear cut chances had been few and far between up until then.

Charlton fans, who made the short journey from the Covered End to the uncovered end filled the Brian Moore Stand as Gillingham recorded their first 10,000+ gate of the season. Predictably, Charlton restored Jose Semedo to the midfield anchor role and retained Izale McLeod up front, with Jonjo Shelvey again having to be content with a spot on the bench. The Gills welcomed West Ham loanee to their starting line-up.

Jon Moss upset the travelling fans early on when he turned down a good looking penalty appeal after Stuart Lewis appeared to haul McLeod down in the area. McLeod's reputation for going to ground easily may have gone before him.

Burton went in the book inside the first quarter of an hour for dissent as Fuller went unpunished for a robust challenge on Nicky Bailey. A lively atmosphere spilled over when fans scuffled near the corner flag and had to be ejected. Shortly after Charlton fashioned their best chance. McLeod timed his run to perfection to latch on to Sam's pass. After coming inside the defender, the pacy striker skewed his effort horribly wide.

The second-half saw the hosts largely in the ascendency and Elliot had to make an incredible save after 74 minutes to keep a goal bound effort from John Nutter out. Five minutes later Nutter turned villain. Josh Gowling hacked sub David Mooney down near the area. The subsequent Charlton free-kick ricocheted around before a wild slice from Nutter flew past Royce to put the Addicks in front.

Their joy was short lived. Three minutes later home hot-shot, Simeon Jackson, was clipped in from the left and he appeared to knock the ball past the defender with his arm. Jacko's finish was sublime and gave the Gills the point they deserved.

With Leeds finally succumbing at Millwall, a Charlton victory would have taken them back to the top of the table. Charlton really need to start seeing games out.


Gillingham: Royce; Fuller, Gowling, Fry, Nutter;Bentley, Weston, Lewis, Barcham;Jackson, Oli(Yussuff90).

Subs not used: Julian, Maher, Miller, Payne, Rooney, Palmer.

Goal: Jackson 82.

Booked: Nutter 27(foul), Weston 65(foul), Gowling 78(foul).


Charlton: Elliot; Richardson(Basey 60), Sodje, Dailly, Youga; Sam(Wagstaff 90), Semedo, Racon, Bailey; McLeod(Mooney 76), Burton.

Subs not used: Randolph, Llera, Spring, Shelvey.

Goal: Nutter(own goal)79.

Booked:Burton 12(dissent), Sodje 64(foul), Dailly 66(foul).

Referee: Jon Moss (West Yorkshire).

Attendance:10,304.

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