Gillingham 0 Newport 2: Cheye Alexander at fault for two penalties that Omar Bogle converts in League 2 match at Priestfield | Spectator arrested and issued lifetime ban after first-half incident.
Having given up two penalties, Gillingham was defeated by lowly Newport, and there were also problems off the pitch.
Both of the visitors’ spot-kicks were converted by striker Omar Bogle, however the game was delayed after the first goal was scored due to taunts directed at the goal scorer from the home end.
There was widespread condemnation and anger following the incident at Priestfield from within the stands as a spectator was led away by the stewards.
The Gills were quick to dish out an immediate lifetime ban to an individual who they announced had been arrested.
Gills were recently handed a fine by the FA and told to implement an action plan to eradicate abuse inside the stadium. That came after three incidents last season, involving racist and sexist comments.
The club had given fans repetitive warnings over further trouble at Priestfield but are still searching for an individual who threw an object at the Notts County keeper and now this.
It marred another game at Priestfield.
Trouble at Priestfield afer Omar Bogle scored his first penalty for Newport
On the field, the Gills were looking to build on their midweek win at Swindon against a Newport side who had lost their previous four away games in a row, starting the afternoon sitting 19th in the table.
An early chance fell to Macauley Bonne but he couldn’t finish with only goalkeeper Nick Townsend to beat. Mahoney had prodded the ball into his path.
Goalkeeper Jake Turner pulled off a great double save to deny Bryn Morris and then Bogle as the visitors showed they weren’t there to make up the numbers.
Gillingham’s reasonable start quickly crumbled as they conceded two penalties in quick succession. Cheye Alexander was at fault for the first and penalised for a shove which led to the second. This came just days after missing a penalty at Swindon.
Alexander’s wayward backpass to keeper Turner led to the Gills stopper making a rash challenge on Bogle and the same player got up to plant the subsequent spot-kick into the bottom left corner.
It was while celebrating the 20th minute goal infront of the Rainham End that an incident occurred and a delay to the restart.
Seven minutes later Bogle tucked the ball away into the opposite corner, sending Turner the wrong way from another penalty. This one was a bit more debatable as Alexander was penalised for a shoulder barge on Matty Bondswell.
The Gills came close to getting a goal back when Mahoney’s shot from 25 yards crashed off the bar and late in the half the same player put in an inviting cross that Jonny Williams headed wide, when well placed.
Jonny Williams put an effort into the side netting early in the second half and had strong claims for a penalty when he went over in the box following a challenge from behind, but referee Tom Reeves said play on.
Gills were recently handed a fine by the FA and told to implement an action plan to eradicate abuse inside the stadium. That came after three incidents last season, involving racist and sexist comments.
The club had given fans repetitive warnings over further trouble at Priestfield but are still searching for an individual who threw an object at the Notts County keeper and now this.
It marred another game at Priestfield.
On the field, the Gills wanted to capitalise on their victory at Swindon over the week against Newport, a team that came into the afternoon ranked 19th in the standings and had lost their previous four away games.
Macauley Bonne had an early opportunity, but with only custodian Nick Townsend to beat, he was unable to complete. Mahoney nudged the ball towards his direction.
Jake Turner, the custodian, made two outstanding saves to keep out Bryn Morris and Bogle, demonstrating that the visitors weren’t just there to pad the stat sheet.
Gillingham gave up two penalties in a row, which caused their otherwise decent start to fall apart rapidly. Cheye Alexander was punished for shoving someone, which caused the second, and was at fault for the first. This emerged just days after missing a penalty at Swindon.
Turner, the custodian for the Gills, challenged Bogle rashly after Alexander had backpassed him, and Bogle stepped up to head the ensuing penalty kick into the bottom left corner.
An altercation happened and the resumption was delayed when the Rainham End was celebrating the goal scored in the 20th minute.
After seven minutes, Bogle skillfully sent the ball into the opposite corner, causing Turner to misjudge another penalty. This one was a little more contentious because Alexander was fined for shoving Matty Bondswell in the shoulder.
Bogle celebrated in front of the supporters once more.
Mahoney’s 25-yard attempt went wide, and later in the half, the same player put in an inviting cross that Jonny Williams headed wide from a good position, giving the Gills a chance to equalise.
Early in the second half, Jonny Williams made an attempt to find the side netting and had good grounds for a penalty after being tackled from behind, but referee Tom Reeves waved play on.
The disgruntled home fans weren’t helped by some careless passing that hurt their chances of getting back into the game.
Bogle nearly scored a third goal for Newport as he attempted a shot that Ethan Coleman deflected. Subsequently, the attacker headed the corner past the target. In stoppage time, Kiban Rai struck the Gills sidenetting as well.
With this home loss, the Gills’ league record now stands at seven losses out of sixteen games.
Turner, Alexander (S Williams 79mins), Mahoney, Clarke (Nichols 55mins), Bonne, Malone, Masterson, Ogie, Jefferies, Coleman, J Williams (Lapslie 66mins), and Bonne. Morris, Clark, Ehmer, and Dieng were not substituted in.
Townsend, Drysdale (Payne 68min), Baker, Delaney, McLoughlin, Bondswell, Morris, Bennett, Wildig (Waite 85min), Bogle, Evans, and Morris are the players from Newport. Maxted, Rai, Thomas, and Wood were not substituted in.
Leave a Reply