Perhaps it was also Mitchell who suggested to Fletcher that he perform a neater body-swerve than he ever managed on the pitch, going from assistant manager to development group. So was it win or bust for LB, as many fans conjectured? What would the reaction be to the Brentford 6-0?
Francis started alongside the returning Zubar, with a new name to me – Lewis Linsay – on the bench. Another youth teamer? No place for cup-tied Sheringham; I saw him score Dartford’s 3rd, home to Harrow Borough in FACQ2, admittedly after the away no.5 had been sent off. Symes partnered Thomas up front. Gills k.o. towards the North Stand, and a poor through ball saw Barrett make a clumsy intervention that confused Zubar & Flahavan, but Barrett cleared. Then Arter missed a tackle behind Cummings, with the low cross being cleared hastily. Gills played 4-5-1, so the home midfield had problems with the extra man able to break forward.
LB’s recent home strategy has been to play as away team – let them come on, suck them in, then hit on the break – a dicey method, especially with 4-4-2 today. How about imposing on the opposition? It never happened here. Pugh wasted a corner, leaving Francis too much ground to make up to reach it, but then the former put in a good run and cross. Boscombe looked so much better going forward; defence was a shambles. Malone made a good run and cross; Thomas was unlucky. Nevertheless Gills seemed to be running the game, especially the little 18.
Cummings showed neat feet, his decent chip made a corner which was cleared to Purches on the edge of the area. His pile-driver went between keeper & bar, possible in-off the latter. 1-0, 20. Cummings repeated the move, but Symes volleyed over. Cummings was able to do this as Malone required attention from the defence, giving space for either of them. Symes then put in Thomas but too wide; Symes was very good in twisting & turning to retain possession, and linking well with Arter. The latter showed signs of improving, as did the whole team, but it still did not convince.
Francis seemed solid, but distribution was iffy at times. However, that had nothing to do with the no.8 being in acres of space 30 yards out, unattended. He hit it straight, with enough topspin for it to loop over behind Flahavan and under the bar. Embarrassing. 1-1, 37. Boscombe made a positive response but black clouds were gathering over Kings Park. A Gills handball in the home area was turned down, prompting Arter to remonstrate with the ref (a substitute just before KO). A yellow was immediate; stupid boy, said Capt. Mainwaring. Thomas dummied to let Pugh pass to the keeper, then turned to unleash a hard left-footer that had to be pushed around. He still hadn’t broken his South End duck. HT: 1-1.
At the restart, Malone went straight through but was baulked. He & Francis gave height on the flanks – very welcome. Thomas showed trickery on the wing, giving a chance so near at the far post. Pugh did another good run and cross; Thomas’s flick header was deflected for a corner but the ref. gave a goal-kick. Arter was generally having to scrap too much rather than create, with this format. Pugh pulled it back for Francis to centre; Thomas headed just wide at the back stick. Pressure had to tell; a free on the left saw the keeper let it slip through his hands & Zubar hooked it back and in. 2-1, 59. Malone then repeated his trademark run, had a fortunate 1-2 with Thomas and right-footed it (as at PNE) for 3-1 on 60. At last a buffer; now could the team do it?
Pugh hit over with Gills in a shambles. Malone had another great run – the poor man’s Gareth Bale, said the young man on my left – and from the corner Purches hit over. The away keeper was by now punching & slapping at the ball, and with Gills pushing forward those opponents looked ripe for plucking with Arter coming into his own sending people away on both sides.
On the ball, Francis looked a little like Gregory – tall, upright, the way his legs & feet moved. Then Cummings fouled, taking one for the team – yellow. The kick was touched inside slightly and the diagonal shot from 20-odd yards somehow went all the way through and across Flahavan (possibly unsighted?) into his right-hand corner. 3-2, 71. That nagging feeling – here we go again. Arter & Malone appeared to have a head-smash, but both recovered quickly. With subs, Gills went 4-3-3. Francis showed some skill and determination in covering and blocking. Thomas was through but good keeping left him without the ball. Francis did good work on his flank, crossing superbly for Malone to run in and plant a header just inside the far post – except somehow the keeper managed to be there at the same time. Rats; that would’ve sealed the deal. Pugh tried an angled chip that just went over the far angle, but by now was showboating.
A Gills throw on their right, into the area, a turn & shot to Flahavan’s right, 3-3, 90. Typical, and were we surprised? Thomas put it across but just too far for Pugh who could only put it wide. Pugh was too tricky again in the circumstances, conceding a throw. 4 minutes extras proved fruitless. FT: 3-3.
If you join up the dots, fullbacks & central midfielders, the shape looks like a fireguard for those who can remember real coal fires. This should stop the ball reaching central defence. But it’s too leaky. Defence must start on the opponents’ 18-yard line, and midfield must impose on the opposition. Management might try this line. Purches & Arter are both players who in their different ways would support a dominant midfielder; I think back 40(-odd?) years to George Smith, buccaneering for Pompey on the Big Match each Sunday. So a tricky replay, winners away at Orient. Ah, the glamour of the FA Cup…
Evidently there’s some money to expand the squad thus providing competition for places. But 7 midfielders? Those from “non-league” – hungry to prove themselves, especially given a 2nd chance (step forward WF and CS). But - quality? And given situations elsewhere inside and outside football, investment from a Russian rings alarm bells, No proof, so let’s hope it works out OK.
Flahavan – unlucky or not commanding? The first equaliser would lead some to raise the height question again.
Francis – reasonably solid & tidy; none of the Gills goals came from his side. Too early to tell if he really is the right-back answer.
Zubar – Decent game but part of the collective for goals 2 & 3.
Barrett – committed but see Zubar; positionally dubious too often.
Cummings – reasonable game but the best opposition attacks were more down his side.
Pugh – looks better on the right flank and put in good crosses, but over-complicated later when directness was required.
Purches – solid, but should he or Arter have troubled the no.8 to prevent the first equalizer?
Arter – see general comment above. Looked better when more room to play after 3-1.
Malone – speedy, up for it, enjoying it all.
Symes – Good work in first half, but seemed to fade later (perhaps less service?)
Thomas – worked his socks off. Deserved a goal – but didn’t take it.
Bradbury – let’s try to be fair: Howe had the come-back problems last season also. But Bradbury was part of that side so should by now have worked out how to eliminate it. Perhaps he’ll not have to worry about it in the near future…
Honourable mentions above for Thomas, Symes & Francis but Malone takes it.
AFCB: Flahavan, Francis, Zubar, Barrett, Cummings, Pugh, Arter, Purches, Malone, Symes, Thomas
Subs: Jalal, Linsay, Ward, Molesley, Carmichael, Taylor, Fletcher (non used)
Peter Wicks, Bulford