Gillingham FC v. City - Match Preview

Trip to Kent
By Chris O'Brien
April 30 2005

Cardiff City travel to Kent's Priestfield Ground knowing victory will secure their Football League Championship status. Fellow strugglers Gillingham have been on good form recently, but go into the game on the back of a 2-0 reverse at Derby County.

Cardiff City travel to Kent on Saturday knowing that victory will secure their Football League Championship status. A vastly superior goal difference to fellow strugglers beneath the Bluebirds in the table means only a mathematical miracle could send Lennie Lawrence's side now if they secure an away win at the Priesfield Stadium.

The Ninian Park faithful were celebrating survival last week as City impressed with three valuable points against Reading, and many now see mathematical safety as a formality. Cardiff are only three points clear of the drop zone, but in addition to a cut above goal difference, City know that if either Crewe Alexandra or Brighton & Hove Albion lose either of their remaining games, Football League Championship football will be entertaining the Welsh capital next term.

This is a big game for the Bluebirds, but is equally crucial for the hosts Gillingham who are still threatened by relegation. The Gills, led by the never-relegated Stan Ternent, are only a point above the dreaded bottom three. They have proved very difficult to beat since Ternent's arrival, with the 2-0 Pride Park reverse against Derby a first league defeat in ten outings. Nevertheless, defeat against Cardiff could be a catastrophe.

It's a sell out at the Priestfield. 1,484 Bluebirds make the long, tedious journey in the hope they witness their side secure safety, whilst a packed home end will see the Gills entertain a side who have joined them at the wrong end of the league table for almost the entire season. It promises to be an epic battle.

Lennie Lawrence has only a handful of doubts ahead of the fundamental fixture. Darren Williams looks set to start having been frustrated by a lack of first-team opportunities since picking up a virus over Christmas. Tony Vidmar is struggling with fatigue, and should be amongst the substitutes with a move to NAC Breda taking place at the end of the season. Joe Ledley was recently ruled out for the rest of the season with an injured foot, so Richard Langley, Jobi McAnuff, Neal Ardley and Willie Boland look set to form the midfield quartet.

Peter Thorne and Cameron Jerome continue their impressive partnership up front, whilst Alan Lee, Lee Bullock and Paul Parry are included amongst the bench. Don't forget to sing 'You Jack Bastard' at Mamady Sidebe. The former Swansea forward will return to the Gillingham starting XI, with the Gills having few injury concerns ahead of Saturday's game.

Game on - C'mon City!!