MEMS PRIESTFIELD STADIUM
Priestfield Stadium has been virtually re-built since the current Chairman Paul Scally took over in 1995. On one side of the ground is the impressive looking Medway Stand. Opened in 2000, it is two-tiered, with a large lower tier and a small upper tier. In-between these tiers are a row of executive boxes, which also have seating outside. Opposite is the Gordon Road Stand. Opened in 1997, this is a much smaller single tiered stand, which is partly covered (to the rear). It contains a number of supporting pillars running across the back of it, plus it also has an unusual looking TV gantry perched on its roof. The Rainham End was opened in 1999. It is a single tier cantilevered stand, which replaced a former terrace. Opposite is the Brian Moore Stand. This is, in fact, a temporary seated stand that has been situated on top of an existing terrace. When I say temporary (considering that it has been there since 2003) I mean that the stand can be easily dismantled and re-assembled. This is the only open area at the stadium. This stand is named in memory of the legendary commentator and lifelong Gills fan, Brian Moore.
LAYOUT
A MEDWAY STAND
B GORDON ROAD STAND
C THE RAINHAM END
D BRIAN MOORE STAND
Gillingham are hoping to improve on there league position this season after only finishing in 17th place in the last campaign. The Gills boss Steve Lovell has secured a number of loanees and signings to strengthen the squad for the coming season.
The Gills season got off to a great start with a visit to newly promoted Accrington Stanley last Saturday, Gillingham ran out 2-0 winners with goals from Brandon Hanlan and Josh Parker spoiling Stanley's return to the third tier of English football after a 50 year absence.
Burton return to league one after a two season spell in the Championship, Albion narrowly avoided the drop in the first season but succumbed to their fate last season after being predominantly at the bottom end of the table. It's safe to say that the brewers were punching above their weight in that league and should find it a little more comfortable this season.
Saying that they hosted Rochdale at the pirelli last Saturday and ended up losing 2-1. The Dale took a 2-0 lead after only 22 minutes of the first half, a brace from Bradden Inman (10,22) with Liam Boyce getting a consolation goal in the 71st minute.
Being virtual new-comers to the football league Burton have not played many games at the Priestfield stadium in fact there have been only five occasions that this fixture has taken place, Gillingham winning four and Burton just the one which was the last encounter on the 12th of December 2015 the Brewers with a 3-0 victory goals from Damien McCrory, Lucas Akins and Anthony O'Connor, all were scored in the second half with the last two in the 90th plus minute.
GILLINGHAM ... 3 BURTON ALBION ... 1
Substitute Tom Eaves came off the bench after 33 minutes to replace injured Dean Parrett. The 26 year old Gillingham striker was only on the pitch for 2 minutes before scoring the equalising goal for the Gills timing his run to perfection before slotting the ball past Burton keeper Stephen Bywater.
Earlier Liam Boyce had given the visitors the lead when Kyle McFadzean's header was poorly dealt with by the Gillingham defence and Boyce picked up pieces to net for the second time this season. Gills should have took a lead into the second half but Brandon Hanlan's shot after getting clear of the Burton defence rattled off the bar and over.
Six minutes into the half and Gillingham did have their deserved lead when defender Luke O'Neill's free kick left Bywater with no chance from 25 yards. Burton tried hard to come back into the game especially when Scott Fraser was denied by Gills keeper Tom Holy.
But the points were bagged when super-sub Eaves completed a brace when he pounced on a loose ball in the Burton penalty area and finished with aplomb putting his side in 4th place behind Barnsley, Doncaster and Peterborough all on the same points winning the first two games of the season.
Priestfield stadium is a lovely little ground one of the better ones I've come across in it's size category everything just seems to gel and is very pleasing to the eye. Fans are very pleasant and friendly and stewards are helpful. The row markings are missing from some seats and steps so can be very confusing but apart from that it's good.
Fans in the Rainham End could think of a better chant when winning the game than "we are the right side" and "we are the middle", the football wasn't that bad it was quite entertaining in places.
MATCH DETAILS
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