“I’m definitely aware of it,” he explained in Thursday’s pre-match interview.

“We can see that by the ticket sales that have gone out. We’ve sold 2,800 tickets so far, so we know how much it means to the supporters and I’m sure we’ll be going there, like them, and trying to give our best.”

Stimson’s side are still looking for their first away win of the campaign at the 20th time of asking and the Gills boss said that a derogatory comment about his side on television has merely added extra motivation ahead of this weekend’s match at The Valley.

“One of the TV stations I watched at the weekend said something along the lines of ‘if you can’t beat Gillingham at home then you might as well pack up’

“That wasn’t very nice to hear for me, but that’s the motivation that we want to stop and we’re going to go to Charlton on Saturday and expect a tough game but try to win the game.”

Check out the video for the full interview.

Waiting for them will be referee, Paul Taylor (pictured left).

He is vastly experienced and is currently the longest serving League referee.

He started his career in the Hertfordshire and Isthmian leagues, and progressed to officiate in the Premier League, the Champions League and an International fixture.

He refereed the 2006 league Two Play off Final and also qualified that year as a National Licensed Referee Instructor.

In 2008 he joined the Hertfordshire Football Association as the Referees Development Officer.

He last appointment with the Gills was in September 2009. It was our home draw against Norwich City and he issued three cautions for each side and dismissed the Norwich goalkeeper.

He is expected to retire at the end of this season.

Click Here for a Matchday Weather Forecast

I got my lift to where The Reliance Coach was parked and I was on coach at 7.40 and took to my usual seat, which is four seats from the very front and on the drivers side.

We at least had a nice new coach for this trip as my first thought was that we were given one of the old coaches for our trip to Stockport – I had sat behind Bradley and Sarah and this was a early start though I mentioned just how I had to get up at 5AM for Carlisle but this is still a long trek to make on a Saturday.

Comments from others already on the coach were a bit disappointing as Adam Miller was given credit for the pass to Simeon Jackson’s goal but this unsettled those who hated Adam Miller and just fuelled their anger towards a player who I personally rate highly and why shouldn’t Miller also be given the credit, great goal by Simeon and no-one is taking the credit away from Simeon for the finish but Miller played his part in that goal.

Other comments were just based on speculation like saying Bentley wasn’t injured and he was left out by Mark Stimson because Stimson doesn’t want Benno at the club, if Mark Bentley was fit he be in the squad and I think Bentley got injured during half time at the Yeovil Game. (Others might think that Benno was fit though)

Rene Howe also got some flak for not scoring despite putting in a fantastic performance against Huddersfield Town and to be honest Howe is at this level for a reason, if he could score goals and hold the ball up then Howe would be at a higher level – but his record at Rochdale and Morecambe suggests that Howe knows where the goal is and you have a feeling that once 1 goal goes in then goals 2 and 3 will soon follow.

Once everyone got on and was seated we left Gillingham Cemetery at 8 and me and Bradley started to talk about some of the poorer away trips we been on, I mentioned Brighton as a whole is just terrible and the away stand is 150 yards behind the goal while I also mentioned Luton and I am only 5’ 7’ so not the tallest person in the world but my knee’s were right up against the seat in-front of me – Bradley mentioned the seating arrangements at Southampton where you got to sit in your exact seat number – St Mary’s is a fantastic stadium but having to find row AH and seat number 198 just cause’s more problems and it be easier just to have un-reserved seating.

Bradley also mentioned the seating at Brentford, I been to Brentford twice and prefer to stand in the terracing underneath, but those who have sat in the seating section have complained about the wooden floor and just how un-comfortable it is to sit in those seats.

We made the first of two pick up points outside Strood Sports Centre as Jordan, Tom, James and Brucie got on the coach and Bruce noticed I had cut my hair short and he said “is that a lucky omen then Lee” I said “I hope so” – plus my hair was getting abit too long anyway that in-turn started to get people talking about superstitions and pre match routines – and while this was briefly touched upon I can confirm that no-one throws salt as a superstition. (which is what happens in Sumo Wrestling)

But “Today is the day that Gillingham will win away” I felt confident about this one, not over confident but felt we had a great chance to win this and if we play in the same way we played last weekend against Huddersfield then you expect Gillingham to pick up three points.

Obviously the main talking point was about the state of the Stockport pitch and if they had any grass left and re-laying another pitch takes something like 5-8 weeks so you cannot do that mid season, well Stockport cannot afford to do that mid season and it is the same for both teams except that Stockport are more used to the playing surface then we are.

We stopped off outside the Harvester to make our second pick up point of the day and once everyone was on and sat down we got moving again and the traffic for Dartford Crossing wasn’t too bad considering it is a Saturday and we went through the toll booth at Dartford Crossing around 8.40.

Pam came round and asked all of us about our travel arrangements for the next few away games, Charlton I will be going via train for that one while Norwich, Oldham and Millwall I will be going via Reliance, I mentioned that I already brought my ticket for The Charlton match so there was no need to get my ticket – I said to Bradley that KFG will be going via train for this one so you might see him there for The Charlton game.

Once everyone had paid for their travel and sorted out travel arrangements we then did the draw for the first goal scorer starting with the back of the coach and once it was my turn to do the draw I draw out Adam Miller and Simeon Jackson which everyone was envious about, Bradley got one of the Stockport players and also drew out Rashid Yussuff, Kevin Maher and Jack Payne so, his chances of winning the £10 were slim to say the least, their were some spare and I thought I get two more and I drew out Stuart Lewis and Luke Rooney, but 4 Gillingham players and I got our main man so not only could Gillingham win but there is a good chance I might get the £10 as well.

I said that I bet as I drew out the attacking players and Dennehy or Richards will score our opening goal by a set piece, which will put irony on me as I got the likes of Jackson and Miller.

After sorting out the travel arrangements and the draw for the goal scorer everyone was doing there own thing some like their chit chat, others read a book or newspaper, some bring a PSP or Nintendo DS, some even try to sleep (and I only done that once and that was Carlisle away) – but I tend to listen to the radio and that little radio adaptor is a life saver as it really helps make the time go faster though it gets annoying when you lose the signal and have to search through the frequencies to find another radio station.

I tapped Bradley on the shoulder and had just thought of another group of annoying supporters to add to the list we were making during the week on Facebook and I suppose you can call them the “Bandwagon Jumpers” – the ones who didn’t support Chelsea until Roman Abramovich became chairman or those who supported a big club and now choose to support Manchester City because they have a billionaire at the club – another to add to the list are the ones who didn’t watch Hull City when they were in The Old Division Three and support Hull now because their in The Premiership – but when these clubs are faced with a crises or their in a situation where they really need their supporters then these type of supporters will go and support someone else who is more successful.

While any support is appreciated because every club relies on supporters coming through the turnstiles there are a few who you think are best off elsewhere and not bother returning, weather it is moaning, the usage of foul and abusive language or the fact they have to be negative about everything that happens on the pitch – not only can this negative attitude dent players confidence but it can also be the main reason why those who want to come and support the club continue to stay away as that attitude has ruined their match day experience.

We stopped off at Norton Canes Services at 11.10 and sadly these services don’t have much in-terms of a sandwich selection as I just wanted a ham and cheese sandwich, tuna, mayo and tomato (not in the same sandwich of course as that would be bad) are sandwiches I didn’t want so in the end I brought The Sun and The Mirror (The Mirror had a decent pull out section of F1) While I also brought a 500ML Bottle of Coca Cola and a Whisper Bar.

As we had time to spare before getting back on the coach, the five of us (Me, Bradley, Sarah and Bradley’s parents) stood outside and we spoke about whereabouts inside Priestfield do well all sit, Bradley and Sarah sit in the Rainham End while I sit in The Medway Stand Block G while I didn’t realize that Bradley’s parents also sat in the same block and straight away they brought up that horrendous challenge on Stuart Lewis and how we heard a loud thwack and all we feared the worst.

With Arsene Wenger bringing up the tackling issue a week before after Aaron Ramsey was injured after a Ryan Shawcross challenge clearly referee’s have been told to stamp out on malicious tackles – Shawcross was going for the ball and that half a yard of pace meant Ramsey was quicker and the challenge was mis-timed but Eccleston’s challenge on Stuart Lewis was a possible leg breaker and the red card was the very least you expected after that sort of challenge and thankfully and to our relief Stuart Lewis got up again and was able to continue.

Another subject brought up was the way we try to play and while attractive attacking free flowing football is nice and it is great to play that way, I shared this view that at times we canbe too nice and too honest in the way we play and perhaps a more nastier approach is needed, not in the way where you constantly kick people to the ground, but you need someone who is quite happy to take one for the team and get stuck in and Miller does have those qualities but in midfield we are lighter then most other sides.

Food and drink at service stations is always expensive but drink is an absolute must and I always buy a drink when we stop just a shame that the sandwich selection was poor.

We got back on the coach just and took to our seats and once everyone was back on the coach we left Norton Canes Services at 12 and went through the M6 Toll Booth at 12.05 – this was something we did frequently last season with trips to Bury, Rochdale, Macclesfield and Morecambe.

As we got moving again the discussion turned to jobs in football and James mentioned Soccor AM and Gillett Soccor Saturday and how Jeff Stelling presents Soccer Saturday with Paul Merson, Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas and how it be great to have a job in football – I mentioned “wouldn’t it be great if we got paid to watch football matches” and that with the exception of being involved in football would be a top job.

By now I was listening to the radio and at a guess we were proberly two hours away from Edgeley Park and we should get to the ground at 2 – 2.15 at the very latest though you never know what the traffic is going to be like.

It was so hot on the coach that I took my coat off, though it was warm on the coach it is better to bring more layers then needed because you can always take a layer off but if your dressed thinking it is going to be sunny all day and it pelts it down then your in for a chilly afternoon.

Everyone was doing there own thing till we reached the ground and I saw a few sign posts with Chester and Macclesfield on them but we needed to go towards Manchester or there or thereabouts and Tottenham had a early kick off against Blackburn Rovers so we were keeping tabs on that score-line.

After making our way through Stockport and getting to the town of Edgeley we could see Edgeley Park so it was a case of making sure we had what we needed and I made sure I had what I needed on me and the papers, Lynx and spare bottle of Coca Cola can stay on the coach.

We were greeted by one of Stockport County’s local idiot supporters who clearly was trying to entice the Gillingham Supporters and was looking to cause trouble but also the stewards were completely helpless and they had no idea what to do, they wouldn’t let the coach drop us off and as we turned round our driver mentioned that he wasn’t going to drop us off here because of the supporters looking to cause trouble and the stewards seemed to laugh that off that their not causing any trouble at all.

Eventually we parked in the car park behind the away end and this is where the coaches parked off the last time we came here and we won 2 . 1 on that night thanks to two goals from Andy Barcham and how we love to see a repeat of that this time round – though this time Villa isn’t there waiting for the winner of this match but still three points will go a long way in our battle to avoid the drop.

We got to our destination at 1 .30 and the stewards were completely helpless and had no idea what they were doing – I made sure I had what I needed on me before getting off the coach and I said “we are going to win today” before getting off the coach and making my way towards the away end.

As I stood outside waiting for the turnstiles to open I saw the team coach arrive at the ground and also saw the burger van parked outside the ground, I got a £20 out as it was £17 for me to get in and though a tight fit I managed to squeeze through the very narrow gap of the turnstiles as Edgeley Park had clearly seen better days.

I brought my match day programme for £2.50 and had a good look at the pitch and the ground looked terrible and the pitch was patched up and because Stockport County share Edgeley Park with Swale Shark’s then you can see what the problem is.

Behind the TV gantry is the bar and I queued up for food and drink and a cheese-burger and 500ML Bottle of Coca Cola cost me FIVE POUNDS – not the most expensive as Colchester United hold that record as it was £4.50 for cheese-burger but still that is very expensive and for £3.50 you expect better.

I saw where Bradley and Sarah were sitting and sat with them at the very back of the stand looking over the goal, Bradley’s parents and also Tom and Jordan sat with us – I gave Sarah my Gillingham Scarf as Sarah was feeling the cold and I had three layers on so I was alright – I mentioned I brought my Gillingham Scarf before we played Rochdale in the playoffs and took that Gillingham Scarf with me when we beat Shrewsbury at Wembley, hasn’t been as much of a lucky omen this season though.

Speaking pre match we felt that this weekend is massive and could define our season as Oldham play Wycombe and Southend play Exeter so in-terms of the relegation battle this weekend see’s us with the perfect opportunity to increase the buffer between ourselves and the bottom four because not all of our relegation rivals can win today.

Mark Robson, Scott Barrett, Simon Royce and Alan Julian were out onto the pitch first which got a loud applause and cheering from The Gillingham faithful and watching Mark Robson roll the ball across the ball must of bobbled twice before Robson’s pass reached Barrett and today clearly didn’t look like the day to play football.

Seeing as Swale Shark’s play at Edgeley Park maybe we should abandon the tactic to play football and play rugby instead, we got Garry Richards and judging by Garry’s clearance over The Gordon Road Stand Garry can defiantly hoof the ball forward, as Simon Royce warmed up Bradley and myself spoke about Royce’s form and fitness and I was at the Eastbourne Borough Reserve Match and Royce tried to take on one of the Eastbourne Borough players lost possession and Eastbourne scoreda easy tap in, I wasn’t at The Crawley Town home game but Royce made a mistake in that match as well.

You just wonder if the car crash has affected Royce mentally as well as physically because it is going to take time and games to get over that and get back to your very best or will Royce think “I had a good career and I am not getting any younger” and call it a day, I personally (others might disagree here) cannot see Simon Royce dropping a division to join another club and also are there many localish clubs in League Two where Simon Royce can get regular first team football, plus Royce said that Gillingham was where he wanted to end his playing career.

Royce might sign up for one last season and be understudy to Alan Julian who fully deserves to be our Number One as Alan has put in a series of fine displays for us between the sticks and between the two of them Alan Julian is bigger built and is a fine shot stopper while Simon Royce has more experience and has been there and done it throughout his career so there is a very fine line between the two of them.

Eventually we heard the team sheet announced over the PA System because after each players name there was a long pause and after a long wait the team was announced as follows…… Julian, Lewis, Richards, Dennehy, Nutter, Miller, Weston, Jackman, Barcham, Howe, Jackson SUBS: Royce, Bentley, Payne, Palmer, Oli, Walker, Dickson.

So the same starting eleven as last weekend at home to Huddersfield Town except that Jack Payne takes Kevin Maher’s place on the subs bench, at the time we were not exactly sure why Maher wasn’t in the side but with the players we got out their on the pitch (or beach depending on what you want to call the playing surface) we should have enough in us and also the confidence gained from our win over Huddersfield should spur us on to finally get our first away win.

At a guess I would of said 3,500 would have been the attendance for this match because with Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Everton, Preston, Burnley, Blackburn, Wigan, Bolton, Macclesfield, Morecambe, Accrington and Blackpool there is a real cluster of clubs in the north west and it is always going to be difficult for Stockport County to entice new supporters when there are 7-8 clubs that can lure new supporters with Premiership Football.

The teams came out of the tunnel and the atmosphere raised inside the ground just as the weather started to take a turn for the worst, I was hoping it would hold out but if it did start to chuck it down then supporters could be moved into The Popular Side Stand as 1/3 of that stand canbe used for away supporters.

After both teams had shook hands both teams stood around the centre circle as we had a minutes applause for Keith Alexander – I don’t know if it is me personally but I think the minutes silence shows more respect.

ANYWAY ONTO THE MATCH…………….

Stockport started the game at a much higher tempo then we did and the Stockport players were clearly inspired by Gary Ablett’s pre match comments that the next three home games will play a pivotal role in their bid to maintain League One Status, two of those games were at home to us and Oldham Athletic so you can see where Gary Ablett was coming from.

Within the first 30 seconds John Nutter did well to header a Richie Partridge cross away from his intended target but Paul Turnbull’s effort from the edge of the area went wide but failed to test Alan Julian in goal – much to the relief of every Gillingham Supporter in the away end.

Lewis concedes a free kick which isn’t surprising considering the conditions of the pitch but the resulting free kick see’s Garry Richards do enough to prevent Jabo Ibehre making contact with the ball.

Johnny Mullins whips in a fine ball and Jabo Ibehre’s effort goes wide of Alan Julian’s far post and Stockport continue to pile on the pressure, I mentioned that at Brentford and Carlisle we started both those games brilliantly and lost so maybe we start poorly, play poorly and earn all three points.

Richie Partridge twice whips in two crosses in quick succession and both times Garry Richards headers the ball away from danger but Stockport keep the ball in play and on the opposite flank it is Greg Tansey’s turn to whip in a cross but this time it is Danny Jackman’s turn to header the ball away from danger.

In the away stand we had to put up with some over zealous Stockport stewards constantly complaining to anyone who stood up however there was a moment where 1-2 fans in the row of us decided it be a good idea (when it was a stupid idea) to expose themselves and the stewards had to move these two to one side and talk to them about indecent exposure and their were a few family’s with children around me and no-one wants to put up with that sort of behaviour.

In the end these two were kicked out and escorted to the train station and why pay £17 for the ticket, plus food, drink, match day programme and anything else you buy on the day just to watch 10 minutes of football ???

Then Stockport had their best chance of the match so far when Richie Partridge sent in a cross and the ball feel to the feet of George Donnelly who cut back and dragged his shot wide and when your down at the bottom those are the chances you need to put into the back of the net and I blew a huge sigh of relief because from where we were in the away end that looked close to going in.

The ref signalled for a corner, which David Perkins swings to the near post only for Alan Julian to beat Jabo Ibehre to the ball and knock the ball clear for another corner and David Perkins can try again and this time John Nutter was able to header the ball away and Gillingham had done very well to with stand the Stockport onslaught because for the first 10 minutes Stockport had dominated this match and you can tell what Gary Ablett’s team talk was – cross the ball into the box and ask questions of our defence from the off and Howe and Jackson just hadn’t been able to get involved in the match so far because we just couldn’t get the ball up the other end of the pitch.

Then it started to rain during the match and if the pitch was bad enough now it will get even worse after a good drenching, should it really chuck it down then the Gillingham Supporters canbe moved into The Popular Side Stand, thankfully it wasn’t as bad as Bristol Rovers away now that was terrible because that day it just rained non stop and you had gale force winds right to contend with as well.

Jabo Ibehre had two attempts to get a shot off, the first one was blocked but his snap shot forced Alan Julian into a very good save at his near post and you can tell that Ibehre is brought in on loan because he looks like their main goal threat and their most likely player to score today.

David Perkins near post corner is again headered away and you don’t care how we clear it just as long as we get it away from our goal because we need the ball at our end of the pitch – the digital clock on the wall of the police control centre was counting backwards from the 45th minute and now that the clock had said 30 that meant Stockport have had a good fifteen minute spell of this match and though we not done anything attack wise we have at least kept our composure and concentration defensively.

Finally after sixteen minutes we had something to be positive about as Simeon Jackson’s snap shot from distance forced Owain Fon Williams to dive to his far post and gather the ball on the line, Fon Williams isn’t the biggest of keepers but he managed to get down quickly to Simeon’s effort on goal.

The two supporters in-front of me shouted “HEY KEEPER, ARE YOU GOOD” And Owain Fon Williams nodded and he took the banter in good taste, I said to Bradley that the banter between the Gillingham Supporters and Tony Roberts at Dagenham last season was very good and Roberts had a good sense of humour.

Stockport Supporters were very loud and singing “Gary Ablett’s Barmy Army” and they had two drummers and Jordan pointed out someone had a guitar and he did very well to spot that, mind as well throw in a orchestra and have as many musical instruments as possible (laughs) – With no roof it was very difficult to create any kind of atmosphere though The Curtis Weston song was sung a few times.

Barcham had the ball on the left wing and he exploded cutting back before going past two Stockport players which on this playing surface is no mean feet, Barcham couldn’t take on the third player but the clearance from The Stockport defender was so very close to smashing the window of the police control centre because you can see loads of small screen’s and two officers are looking to see who is causing trouble.

From the resulting throw on we tried the give and go and Stockport read that and we were intercepted and Stockport were about to go on the counter attack until Dennehy puts in a superb challenge and stops Stockport in their traps, because of the pitch you wonder if a early long throw into the box would catch 1-2 by surprise ???

Jackman tried thread the ball to Barcham on the left hand side and no joke here the ball must of bobbled 3-4 times and Barcham had to trap the ball and by the time he had the ball under control Barcham was double marked, on a flat surface Jackman would of played Barcham through on the overlap.

Simeon Jackson’s snap shot in the twentieth minute went wide of Owain Fon Williams and wasn’t as good as his first effort but if given any opportunity then it is well worth having ago because if you don’t shoot you don’t score.

A minute Later Danny Jackman somehow has a free kick awarded against him even though George Donnelly is bigger then Jackman, I like to know how referee Mr Foster thinks that is a free kick and why play on wasn’t given instead ???

The match was very stop / start and not just because the referee but because the playing surface was so bad and the pitch was cutting up very easierly and Matthew Sadler forces Alan Julian into a routine save, though any save on this surface is going to make any normal save that bit harder, all it needs is the ball to hit a divot or bounce awkwardly and the ball changes direction.

On the 30th minute we had a very big shout for a penalty as Andy Barcham works his way down the left and gets brought down inside the box, the referee signal’s play on and after a scramble in the penalty area Adam Miller does well to work himself into a shooting position only for his near post effort to be superbly blocked by a Stockport County Defender “GO ON GILLS, COME ON” – Was my response and everyone stood up so we could see what was going on – Danny Jackman swung in the resulting corner but Stockport County were able to clear there lines and nothing really came from our set play though Curtis Weston conceded a free kick in his desperate attempt to win the ball back and all that did was slow the game down and allow Dennehy and Richards to get back into position.

The game was bogged down in midfield and 0 . 0 at half time looked very likely as very little was happening at the moment and on the positive front the score is still 0 . 0 because Stockport had started the match the better side but with the exception of the first 20 minutes we were more then holding our own but either side had taken advantage when their on top.

Curtis Weston fouls George Donnelly in a dangerous area of the pitch and 1-2 Stockport players fancied their chances from this range and Greg Tansey stepped up but his free kick though it lacked power bobbled on route towards goal and Alan Julian did very well to get his body behind the ball and the grass cutters and low shots are not going to be easy to hang onto.

The final five minutes of the first half saw Gillingham really take the game to Stockport County, Barcham on the left spun his marker “GO ON BARCHAM”, Barcham got to the by-line and cut inside and Barcham pulled the ball back thinking Jackson or Howe were there but Stockport were able to clear there lines, had Barcham gone for goal himself or rolled the ball across the face of goal then Gillingham would of gone 1 . 0 up and while cutting the ball back is normally the right option on this particular occasion it wasn’t.

Not long after that Stuart Lewis’ stinging effort from distance was deflected wide for a corner and Jackman’s delivery from the resulting free kick Paul Huntington and Huntington and Jackson both compete to try and win the ball and the referee again antagonizes The Gillingham Faithful by giving a free kick in Stockport’s favour again, I rather the referee plays on and waits for the outcome and see if there is a foul involved instead of blowing up in every opportunity.

In added time Barcham threaded a decent ball to Adam Miller and Miller’s effort from the right hand side took a big deflection but into the side netting and sadly not into the back of the net, Owain Fon Williams isn’t the biggest of keepers so I am not 100% sure if he would of got their had his effort been on target, Jackman took the resulting corner again but this time Danny Swailes is able to get the ball away from danger and after two minutes of stoppage time the referee blew up for half time and we applauded the team off the pitch as we had done well to keep the score level.

HALF TIME: STOCKPORT COUNTY 0 . 0 GILLINGHAM

At half time and checking the main results and Southend and Exeter were still goalless while Wycombe were beating Oldham 1 . 0 so the results were going in our favour and we just needed to get the goal we needed to win this match because on the evidence of the first half you felt that one goal would win this match but who will get the deciding goal ???

Me and Bradley spoke at half time about that chance that Barcham managed to create and had Barcham threaded the ball through or went for goal himself then we may well have taken the lead, the cut back is normally 9 / 10 the best option but this time it wasn’t – Another talking point was the stonewall penalty after Barcham was fouled in the box and why referee Dave Foster didn’t point to the spot.

Tom and Jordan had queued up and got themselves something to eat and drink and Jordan said that they had ran out of burgers and baring in mind there was roughly 300 odd of us to run out of burgers at half time for a small away following is just poor, I understand that you cannot afford to waste food so you don’t want to buy more then what is needed but what happens when the likes of Leeds, Charlton, Norwich and Southampton come to Edgeley Park ???

Me and Bradley both felt that Chris Dickson needs to come on around the 60th / 65th minute mark, as Dickson is cup tied for next weekend’s match against Charlton at The Valley we mind as well protect the likes of Simeon Jackson and Rene Howe for next weekend’s big clash – looking at who else was on the subs bench we had Bentley, Palmer, Payne, Oli and Walker – Garry Richards and Darren Dennehy will play the entire 90 minutes unless one of them is injured or very close to being sent off because you don’t want to make a change to your defence particularly away from home.

Stockport were first out onto the pitch with Gillingham on straight afterwards and Alan Julian applauded The Gillingham faithful behind the goal and we tried to get the atmosphere going but with no roof and not many keen to join in it was always going to be difficult to generate a atmosphere.

SECOND HALF……….

Right At the very start of the second half Stockport County looked liked they had taken the lead when Richie Partridge’s cross was well met by the head of Paul Turnball only for Alan Julian to move quickly across his line and with one hand clawed the ball away from goal and Stockport thought they had taken the (And we thought they had done so as well) – Great reaction save by Alan Julian and a save that can be oh so important at the end of this match and a save that could well be important in-terms of our aim for League One Football Next Season.

Stockport like they did in the first half dominated the early stages and while Johnny Mullins effort from distance was way off target, Jabo Ibehre was making a nuisance of himself inside our penalty area and forced Alan Julian into a smart save – In the summer I think Jabo Ibehre will do enough to put himself in the shop window to join a lower League One Club because Ibehre looks a cut above everyone else at Stockport County and most of Stockport’s positive play saw Ibehre involved in one way or another.

After Ibehre had fouled Danny Jackman we had our best chance of the match in the 53rd minute and we nearly created a goal straight from the route one text book as Darren Dennehy knocked the ball long, Howe did superbly to header the ball into the path of Simeon Jackson and Simeon span and shot and Simeon’s dipping effort landed the wrong side of the post and wasn’t far of from going in. – Owain Fon Williams had no chance of stopping that had that been on target and surely had Simeon scored then we would be putting that goal down as contender for goal of the season.

Adam Miller was battling hard down the right and managed to work himself into a position where he could cross the ball and Miller’s cross had to be headered clear by Danny Swailes while at the other end Jabo Ibehere thought he was clean through only to be flagged offside, because we are behind the goal it is very difficult to tell who is on or offside.

Mathew Sadler delivers the ball from the left and his cross is cut out but the ball bounces nicely (and on this pitch that is a rarity) for Paul Turnbull to strike the ball on the half volley but Alan Julian gets everything behind the ball and is able to gather with two hands, if anything Turnball had striked the ball too cleanly and needed to mis-kick the ball slightly.

At the other end had managed to break through one on one with Owain Fon Williams – “GO ON” was the shout from a few of us and Simeon was denied by Owain Fon Williams and the Stockport keeper was able to clear the ball from danger before Simeon can benefit from any re-bound.

Howe tries to whip in a cross only for Danny Swailes to header the ball clear and when the ball was played over the top for Miler to run onto , Howe is deemed active by the linesman who flags Howe for offside.

We start to build up sustained pressure and Adam Miller’s cross evades everyone but Barcham keeps the ball in and tries to curl in cross but Stockport manage to clear their lines, Howe has drifted out wide and he whips in a cross and that man again Danny Swailes has managed to get his head on the ball.

A look to the subs bench and Dennis Oli is preparing himself to come on and we thought Rene Howe might come off, so imagine how surprised we are when Simeon Jackson is subbed off, at the time I thought this was tactical and we go for two big guys up top as we look to play the ball over the top as the playing surface is so poor and we might be looking to protect Simeon for next weekend’s clash at The Valley.

But Dickson has to come on at some point though and we felt within the next ten minutes Dickson would be on either to partner Dennis Oli up top or in desperation we could play Howe, Oli and Dickson up-front.

Sadler is deemed to have been fouled by Dennis Oli when it looked liked a tangle of legs and the voices of frustration was clear from The Gillingham Faithful and with roughly 20 – 25 minutes left time is running out for the goal we need that will win us this game as 1 goal now looks very likely to decide who will earn all three points.

Jabo Ibehre is given time and space to fire a shot off on goal and Alan Julian stands up well and in the end Julian is only forced into a routine save but Ibehre is causing all sorts of problems to the heart of our defence.

Ibehre again is heavily involved as he chest’s the ball to tee himself but the volley over the top is very wasteful but again we have given the big guy time and space and we cannot afford to do that, you can see why Stockport are down the bottom end of the table though because they lack a goal scorer in their side.

Stockport then had the best chance of the match so far as David Perkins forced Alan Julian into a fine save with a fierce drive, Richards hooked the ball clear but Paul Turnbull gets the ball on the edge of the area and his driven effort is superbly tipped behind by Alan Julian who was doing everything he can to keep Gillingham in the game – Richie Partridge’s in-swinging corner to the near post is again throated by Alan Julian as Stockport fail to find there way past Julian on three occasions within a minute or two.

Chants of “Northern Ireland’s Number One” were sang from the faithful behind the goal as Alan Julian has stood upto everything that has been thrown in his direction so far.

Huntington fouls Barcham and finally we get a free kick, which gets an alleluia chant from The Gills support and Nutter and Jackman stand over this one and take their time and in the end Jackman tries to curl one from distance but his free kick is blocked on route towards goal and a look towards the sub bench to see if Dickson is going to come on because the game was crying out for a tactical change and even more so considering the conditions of the pitch.

Then the decisions start to get bizarre as the referee signal’s for a corner when Stockport clearly blaze the ball over the bar, if Stockport score from this their be a massive sense of in-justice and there be a lot of anger and frustration from the Gillingham Supporters behind the goal – Fortunately for us Garry Richards makes a crucial block to deny that man again Jabo Ibehre and we get the ball clear before any Stockport player is able to get anywhere near the ball – if in doubt boot it out is the method and we cannot take any chance and even more so considering the conditions of the playing surface.

Stockport make a tactical change 13 minutes from time as Daniel Howe comes on for Richie Partridge, Partridge has been one of Stockport’s better players today and he has given Lewis and Nutter a few problems as both Partridge has switched sides and just a relief to see him off the pitch.

Adam Miller is booked for fouling Jabo Ibehre and with 10 minutes remaining you wonder if Dickson would come on for Miller and Oli moves out wide on the right.

Chris Dickson does come on with 8 minutes plus stoppage time remaining and he is on in place for Rene Howe, Howe has put in another decent shift and almost claimed a assist for Jackson’s wonder strike and with two fresh strikers up top you think we could take the game to Stockport for the remaining 8 and maybe possible 10 minutes ???

Both Alan Julian and Owain Fon Williams are forced to claim crosses under pressure as Gillingham and Stockport go all out for a late winner while Dennis Oli stray’s into an offside position as we look to catch Stockport County on the counter.

Both teams scrap and compete for the ball and neither side can create that final goal scoring chance that could well win the game and the match ends in a goal-less draw.

FULL TIME: STOCKPORT COUNTY 0 . 0 GILLINGHAM

We stood and applauded the players at the full time whistle while I sang “Alan Julian is Man Of The Match” hoping that it catch on though it was just me singing by myself, we will play a lot worse then that and win and proberly play better then that and lose but final evaluation is “We take the point”

Sadly 1-2 felt that Stimson should go if he cannot beat the team that is bottom of the table and there was a sarcastic “well done stimson another rubbish away performance” I understand the frustrations but if everyone else can applaud the team off the pitch why do some think it is necessary to boo and moan the players for that performance.

I thought we would be celebrating a away win at Edgeley Park today but that isn’t the case but we have at least picked up something and in the grand scheme of things a point isn’t a bad result.

I made sure I had everything on me before making my way out of Edgeley Park and saw Bruce on the way out of the ground and he mentioned that in training the players are passing, play slick passes and shooting with confidence but when it comes to producing the goods on the football field 1-2 might lack of the bottle or nerve to do what their doing in training and some might not have the belief in themselves and clearly there is a mind set on our travels and physiologically you can tell there is a difference between Gillingham at home and Gillingham away.

But with Wycombe and Oldham drawing and Exeter and Southend drawing then our result doesn’t look so bad and it is a case of as you were but Millwall thumping Charlton 4 . 0 was a shock however the result of the day by some distance is Burton 5 . 6 Cheltenham and the goals really did fly in that match and Burton score 5 and get nothing while we didn’t score and we get a point and it is things like that which makes people say “football is a funny old game”

Once everyone was back on the coach we got moving at 5.05 and Bruce asked me for all the scores and it took a while to load on my old Sony Ericsson but I gave all the scores in The Football League and their were some very interesting scores like Southampton beating Leeds 1 . 0 while Norwich look destined for Championship Football next season.

It is interesting hearing the views from those on the coach because it really does depend on your point of view, for the negatives we cannot win away from home against the bottom side in the division, Stockport looked the better side, why wasn’t Dickson brought on earlier, Miller, Weston, Jackson ECT were rubbish while Mark Stimson was poor tactically, non league manager non league team.

For the positives Gillingham have kept back to back clean sheets and we have picked up 4 points out of the last 6, Alan Julian was superb between the sticks while we were very workmanlike in our approach – we tried to play football on a difficult playing surface and when under the cosh we showed that we can withstand a lot of pressure, but positive or negative we won’t be remembering this game as a absolute classic but it is another point towards our tally needed to retain League One Status for next season.

I was listening to the radio while others were either talking, reading, sleeping and doing what anyone else wants to do to pass the time and on away trips you need something to help make the time go by quicker otherwise the journey appears to be longer and you get very bored.

Bradley mentioned just how annoying that ‘Gary Ablett’s Barmy Army!’ song was and also how impressed he was with Jabo Ibehre and I agree because I can see someone signing Ibehre in the summer to booster their attack, he won’t score 15 a season but if you partner Ibehre with someone who can find the net on a regular basis then that will be a promising strike force.

We stopped off at Norton Canes services at 6.30 which was a shame as I hoped we stopped further ahead because these services don’t have much in a sandwich selection and it is abit disappointing having to stop here again and we were only going to stop for a 15 minute pit stop.

I brought a 500ML Bottle of Coca Cola and a packet of Cheese and Onion Crisp as I didn’t want anything else and it is drink I find you need more on away trips then food and I was one of the last ones back on the coach, and once everyone was back on the coach we left the services at 6.45 and went through the M6 Toll Booth at 7 – by now Sarah looked out for the count and there were quite a few others who looked worse for wear but a few others including myself were still awake.

We were making good time and at a guess should get back 10.30 but as we were trekking back to Kent I was checking Kent Online and BBC Football on my mobile Phone and attempted to check Gills 365 but my mobile phone is too old to access the forum so would have to wait till Sunday before I can check the site.

I rang home to say whereabouts I was and gave my view on the game and said roughly what time I be home and once my call home ended I gave Stewie a ring as he had the whole house to himself today and said how long did he have the house too himself for and again gave my view of how the game went and mentioned just how terrible the Stockport pitch was before Stewart had to go and I said “c ya later” as he be home by the time I get in.

Not long after that we went over The Dartford Crossing and went through The Toll Booth at 9.15 and after that I looked through The Gillingham Match Day programme to see when the next reserve game was and me and Bruce were speaking about Simon King and I asked if he would play for the reserves and maybe feature for the first team this season, Bruce said that he couldn’t see Kingy make a return and we be lucky if Simon King plays 10 minutes of First Team Football this season – I asked about the possibility of a pain killing injection but that could do long term damage and the injury King has needs nature to take it’s course and Kingy is desperate to get back to First Team Action but if Simon does too much he could break down and face aloger spell on the sidelines.

Bruce is trying to buy some football merchindize on Ebay and I mentioned about The New Brompton Match Day Programme that went for £200 on a Football Memorabilia website and also Bruce was trying to buy a fishing hook and I asked “Couldn’t Simon Royce help you as he does some fishing” but Royce does fly fishing, the hook that Bruce needs is for a much bigger bait.

We stopped off outside Strood Sports Centre and Tom, James, Jordan and Bruce all got off the coach with a few others and I said c ya before we went through Strood and Rochester before heading around Chatham Maritime and going past The Black Lion towards Gillingham and we stopped off outside Gillingham Train Station and as we made our way towards Woodlands, Bradley mentioned how he always goes to Gillingham Fish Bar pre match to buy a portion of chips, I mentioned that I rarely eat anything on a match day and tend to buy my dinner from George’s Plaice in Rainham and that tends to be after the game.

We got back to Gillingham at 10 and we really had steamed it back and I made sure I had everything before getting off the coach and waiting for my lift and we dropped Pam off before I was dropped off on Nursery Road and I got indoors at 10.15.

A Long day but least we came back to Kent with a point just a shame it wasn’t all three.

My MOTM – Alan Julian – Made several crucial saves throughout the match to keep us in the game and the double save and also the header early in the first half, which Julian clawed away really stand out and Alan Julian looks really solid between the sticks and the more games Alan has played the better he has got.

Honourable mention to Adam Miller who kept trying to create something and kept battling to win the ball back on a very awkward playing surface and Miller put in a solid performance but it still didn’t stop those who dis-like Miller having a go at him.

Will the Gills get that elusive first away win of the season? If you’re making the trip to Valley Park for the match, why not download our essential Gills365 Travel Pack, which is packed with all the travel information you need for the trip.

Click here to download the Gills365 Travelpack for this weekend’s match.

Rooney made 13 appearances for the Gills this season, but has now been loaned out to get some regular first-team football for the rest of this season.

We wish Luke well and hope he returns to the Gills ready to force his way into the first team in Season 2010/2011.

This relegation six-pointer produced a game of exactly that quality, two sides that had neither the ability to beat each other or the pitch of a freshly ploughed potato field variety. If Gillingham Anchorians ever scale the heights of the rugby union pyramid, I hope that the chairman of the time would not tempted into any ground sharing scheme on the evidence of Stockport’s (and Sale Sharks) grassless patch.

Gillingham (football club that is) might point to a denied penalty appeal as reason that they did not come away with the three points, but County could counter that argument by contesting that they forced Alan Julian into more saves and a man of the match performance. Fact is neither side did enough to deserve full points.

The visitors were put under early pressure with Richie Partridge posing problems but there were no finishes that caused Julian any concern. Meanwhile, Gillingham were struggling to come to terms with a pitch that started to cut up from the first minute. Despite a weather forecast that indicated a warmer day than of late, on an open terrace with a sharp wind and light rain, not only the football made for uncomfortable viewing.

The one talking point of the first half was the denied penalty appeal for a foul on Andy Barcham. This was the clearest view that I’ve had of such an appeal this season. Unobstructed and from only about 15 yards away I’ve no doubt whatsoever that the Stockport defender took the man and not the ball, as referee Foster must have adjudged.

The viewpoint also offered the opportunity to see the difficulty the pitch imposed as Barcham and Adam Miller were both made to wait the ball to settle as it bobbled continuously whilst setting for a shot at goal that never came.

The second half followed much the same pattern as the first. Stockport made the most of the running with Partridge and George Donnelly to the fore and Julian was forced into a series of eye-catching, but mostly comfortable, saves. Simeon Jackson flashed a long range shot narrowly wide that had many of the 350 assembled Gills fans believing he had found the net as it rattled the stanchion.

Jabo Ibhere, who had been a handful, but well marshaled by Darren Dennehy and Garry Richards, ballooned a shot high over the bar from 12 yards to ably sum up the woeful nature of the quality on show.

On Sunday morning my sister-in-law asked if I had a good trip yesterday. Knowing she has absolutely no interest in football, I made the following analogy: If you travelled a round trip of 530 miles to see your favourite singer and on the night, she sang none of the songs you liked and the ones she did, she sang out of tune . . . You lost then, she replied.

Cue the pictures . . .

That aside, a point is better than defeat and three more wins might just be enough to stay up. Viewed on their own, Gillingham’s away results since Boxing Day haven’t actually been that bad – four draws in seven games – but partnered with the sorry fact of 18 away days without victory, the sign of improvement loses significance. Yesterday represented the team’s best hope of breaking the duck but predictably they continued true to form, or lack of.

Mark Stimson was consistent in his team selection and stuck with the same side that battled to victory against Huddersfield – Rene Howe and Jackson proved to be a decent partnership last week, but struggled yesterday. Stockport’s midfield dominated, especially in the second half, while Gillingham lacked creativity. Andy Barcham and Adam Miller were the only sparks of a drab first-half display – Barcham looked to be upended in the area and Jackson shot narrowly wide, but that aside Gillingham were lucky to go in level at the break.

That they were still level at full-time was down to goalkeeper Alan Julian who pulled off a string of fine saves – one from Paul Turnbull’s header and a double-stop towards the end. Jackson, again, came closest for Gillingham with a volley on the turn from outside the box, narrowly missing the post before being substituted with injury.

With Chris Dickson out of next week’s Charlton game, Stimson can only hope Jackson’s injury isn’t anything serious. James Walker has failed to impress so far in both first and reserve team action and Dennis Oli – for all of his pace and trickery – doesn’t score too often. The club’s best finisher – aside from Jackson and Dickson – would be one of Curtis Weston, Barcham or perhaps even Luke Rooney. Jackson’s potential absence means the signs are already looking ominous ahead of Saturday’s big game, and any hope of the club ending their away win drought in spectacular fashion look unlikely.

That’s not an unfair criticism of County, who are cut off at the foot of the League One table by a mammoth margin (14 points).

But Gillingham’s failure to score at Edgeley Park gives them yet another black mark against their woeful away record this season.

Gillingham have played 19 away matches in Season 2009/2010, 18 in League One, and have failed to win any of them.

And their failure to score against Stockport makes Gillingham the ONLY side to visit Edgeley Park in league competition and NOT score.

And had it not been for a Man of the Match performance from Alan Julian, it could have been a lot worse.

The Gills keeper made a handful of decent saves to deny County, who have picked up just ten points at home this season.

Our man at Edgeley Park commented that Andy Barcham and Adam Miller both looked bright in the first half, and Simeon Jackson had one effort on the turn that narrowly missed the target, but overall the performance was another hugely disappointing one.

Jackson was forced off late on with a suspected hamstring injury, which will only add to manager Mark Stimson’s woes.

Despite a vote of confidence from his chairman, Stimson has failed to turn around Gillingham’s abysmal away form and after missing what, on paper at least, looked like Gillingham’s best chance of an away win this afternoon, fans looking at the Gills’ run-in will start to wonder if the team will go through the entire season without registering a single away win.

THE RUN-IN

HOME GAMES: MK Dons, Southend, Brighton, Leeds, Southampton

AWAY GAMES: Charlton, Oldham, Millwall, Norwich, Wycombe

Gillingham’s travel sickness has been well-documented and much derided this season: seventeen games, no wins. Thousands of miles, over 1500 minutes of football, ten goals and just four measly points brought back to Kent is all we have to show for our efforts. It got beyond embarrassing a while back.

With such a dire record it’s a wonder there are any souls hardy enough to carry on making the long journeys, come rain or shine. But as we all know, the reserves of irrational optimism that keep us lower league football fans going know no limits. However, for the first time in a long time there is more than just hope.

There is also a little expectation. In fact scrap that, more than a little. Stockport are rock-bottom of League One, thirteen points from safety – if they survive relegation it will be a minor miracle. It is simple – we are not going to get a better chance to end the jinx than tomorrow.

If Saturday does not see the league’s whipping boys put to the sword, I fear that any lingering belief in the squad would be destroyed, and we will all have to wait until next season for a happy away-day. And who knows where that might be.

We can not continue to rely on our form at Fortress Priestfield to keep us up. Although we have one of the best home records in the league, there is no denying that goals have been hard to come by. With our daunting run-in, I would argue that we need to at least double our away tally if we are to avoid the drop.

The old cliché goes that results breed confidence. I genuinely believe that should we emerge victorious this weekend, the shackles will be lifted and we could go on to get results in the five remaining away games. The upcoming ‘derbies’ at The Valley and The Den in front of huge away ends, a trip to league leaders Norwich and relegation six-pointers against fellow strugglers Oldham and Wycombe. All have a bit of spice about them, all we need is a bit of confidence.

Our last away win came on 2nd May, 2009 – at Rochdale on the last day of the season, 315 days ago. It was a game that I was lucky enough to attend, having flown home from South America early on the off-chance of automatic promotion riding on it. At 6,500 miles it would easily be my longest away journey. I now live in Manchester, making Saturday my shortest ever away journey. A nice bit of symmetry, and a win written in the stars, or am I just clutching at straws?

Given the horrific state of the Edgeley Park pitch, the chances are that the game won’t be pretty. But if we escape with those elusive three points it will be a joyous occasion to rival the 5-0 malling of Swindon on the first day of the season. I know ‘eighteenth time lucky’ doesn’t have much of a ring to it, but I’ve got a funny feeling that Saturday will be the day. Up the Gills!

The Gills’ number ten is now a regular in the Canadian national team and is thought to be one of the new breed of young stars who will look to fire Canada to their first World Cup Finals tournament since Mexico in 1986.

Canadian football website RedNation caught up with Jackson and Gills manager Mark Stimson at this week’s pre-match press conference and found out more about Simeon and his footballing journey so far.

Interview by Max Bell @ RedNation