Burton Albion v Gillingham - Match Report - Written by Lewis Browning

Burton 0-0 Gillingham


Gillingham drew their 10^th away game of the season on Saturday after playing out a 0-0 with Burton Albion, despite dominating for large parts of the match.


The Gills peppered the Burton goal, particularly in the second half after Burton forward Oliver Sarkic was shown a red card for two bookable offences, but left Staffordshire with only a point to show for 
their efforts.


Manager Steve Evans had to tinker with his starting XI following injuries to midfielders Stuart O’Keefe and Alfie Jones, but replacements Matty Willock and Tom O’Connor stepped into their colleagues’ shoes adequately to help the side out.


The game began with a few dead ball situations and crosses into the box from Gillingham – in particular from Oliver Lee and Ben Pringle. Some found a man and some didn’t – but none of them resulted in the early goal manager Steve Evans would have been after.


As the first period progressed, few chances were created by either side despite some nice play. A couple of home counter attacks were cut out before they could become good opportunities, including one which was shut down well by young Gills defender Tucker when up against it two-on-one.


Jack Bonham was forced to catch a few balls late on in the half and John Akinde went close from Max Ehmer’s pull-back for Gillingham, but it was all to play for going into the break.


It was the Gills, however, that stepped it up in the second period.


January signing John Akinde went close for the visitors just after 50 minutes, forcing on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara into a smart save from a header. It wasn’t long after, however, that Blue heads were in hands on the Gillingham bench after what appeared to be an injury to Matty Willock. The midfielder, who has missed almost the whole season through injury, had to make way, and debutant and deadline day signing Jordan Graham was introduced.


Just a minute on from the change the game was turned on its head when Burton man Sarkic was sent off for a second yellow card. Like his first, the second yellow was for a foul on full-back Connor Ogilvie, and the Montenegro international could have no complaints.


With the ball in Gillingham’s court to press forward, manager Steve Evans could be heard ordering wide man Graham to hog the touchline as much as possible. The game plan was clear as Graham became the main focal point for Gillingham’s attacks going into the final 20 minutes.


Akinde was replaced by Brandon Hanlan with 12 minutes remaining to a standing ovation, and Hanlan caused problems immediately – his cross earning his team a corner soon after his introduction which was, eventually, cleared.


Bonham had to make a smart save from a Burton corner late on, but it was the Gills who came closest to winning it when O’Connor rattled the crossbar with a powerful shot from distance. It wasn’t to be, though, and both sides had to settle for a point each.


Burton: O’Hara, Brayford, Daniel, Edwards, Quinn (Thomas 73), Akins, Shaughnessy, Sarkic, O’Toole, Powell (Wallace 80), Murphy (Nartey 85).


Subs not used: Garratt, Fraser, Broadhead, Hutchinson.


Goals: N/A.


Gillingham: Bonham, Ehmer, Ogilvie, Willock (Graham 66), Roberts, Fuller, Akinde (Hanlan 78), Pringle, Lee, O’Connor, Tucker.


Subs not used: Walsh, O’Keefe, Mandron, Charles-Cook, Woods.


Goals: N/A.


Attendance: 2,750 (366 away).


Referee: Alan Young.


Assistants: Ravel Cheosiaua and Christopher Husband.


Fourth official: Thomas Harty.