Gills defeated in FA Cup thriller

By Jack Nolan
December 3 2006

Gillingham have missed out on a home tie with Coventry City after being defeated 4.3 at Ashton Gate. Mike Flynn netted his ninth goal of the season whilst Gary Mulligan netted his fifth.

Bristol City.4.3.Gillingham
Ashton Gate
FA Cup 2nd Round Sponsored by E-ON

A brace from Gillingham captain Micheal Flynn and a well taken volley by Gary Mulligan wasn't enough to prevent Gillingham exiting the FA Cup at the second round after a thrilling game at Ashton Gate.

The game was only two minutes old before the first yellow card was shown. Gills defender Clint Easton booked for unsporting behaviour.

Gillingham had two consecutive corners early on and Dean McDonald had a good chance from the first of those corners, only for his shot to be deflected wide for the second corner kick.

Gillingham came closest to an opener when Bristol City's Louis Carey was forced into clearing off of the Bristol City goal line following a good header by Leon Johnson.

Matty Jarvis then had a brilliant shot go narrowly wide of the Bristol City goal. Jarvis' pacey run found him space to shoot and just missed the top right corner of the Bristol goal.

Unfortunatly for Gills however, Bristol took the lead. Twenty minutes had passed when poor defending by Duncan Jupp allowed Jevons time and space to shoot, and Jevons' shot went straight into the top right of the Gills goal.

With almost half and hour passing, Kelvin Jack seemed to get knocked out cold. The Trinidian came out to collect a cross before colliding with a Bristol City player. Jack was on the floor for a good five minutes before bravely deciding to continue due to the Gills having no sub 'keeper.

But no too long after the restart at Priestfield, Jevons scored his second of the game. Brent Sancho failed to clear the danger and was punished when Enoch Showunmi cut back to pick out Jevons who fired home.

Before Jack had time to realise where he was the score become three noting with Jevon's completing his hat-trick. Sancho was once again punished after being beaten by Enoch Showunmi who once again found Jevon's who completed his hat-trick.

At three nil at half-time many Gills fans chose to not give up hope, following the Gills' trip to Leyton Orient earlier this season when the Gills lead three nil only to draw three all.

Ronnie Jepson's half time team talk seemed to have made a big impression on the Gillingham players who came out a different side at half time. Mulligan volleyed home just four minutes after the restart giving the Gills hope of a possible comeback.

Mulligan then had a good chance to double his tally and get the Gills in real contention of getting something out of the game. Two minutes after scoring Gillingham's first his shot was just deflected wide for a corner kick. Then minutes later a good trademark effort from Flynn from long range found its way through a crowded box but into the hands of the grateful City 'keeper Basso.

The home side then scored their fourth though when on 64 minutes, Showunmi tapped in a close range after a Alex Russel cross.

The home fans were still celebrating the goal when from the restart Clint Easton's long ball found captain Mike Flynn who headed home for four two to set up an interesting finish.

Jack was still wondering where he was when he pulled off a stunning save to deny Jennison Myrie-Williams from a one on one scenario. Jack was then on hand to deny Jennison Myrie-Williams again when Jennison Myrie-Williams' shot from point blank range was punched away by the Trinidian.

Then, just when many thought it was over Leon Johnson was pushed in the box and an 89th minute penalty was given. Team captain Mike Flynn stepped up and cooly converted to set up a thrilling ending to the second round tie.

The Gills then had several good chances to complete what would have been a stunning comeback. The first fell to Mark Bentley who's long range shot went narrowly wide, and then the best chance fell to Gary Mulligan who couldn't connect with highly rated Matt Jarvis, and then when Kelvin Jack pushed forward into the box in the last few seconds the Gills just could not find the back of the net.

The Gills can now concentrate on the play off push but the funds from the FA Cup would have benefited the club off the field. The Gills also missed out on a third round home tie with Coventry City.