In form Gillingham FC to face bottom of league Rochdale in weekend clash

Kent’s only football league club Gillingham go into their clash with Rochdale tomorrow having lost just twice in the league since the new year.

The Gills battled to a 2-1 home victory over Grimsby Town on Tuesday night which saw them go above the dotted line.

A goal from the home side’s George Lapslie was cancelled out by The Mariners, before front man Oli Hawkins put Gillingham ahead with three minutes to go.

It was Hawkins’ first goal for the club since signing from Mansfield Town.

The 30-year-old will be aiming to score more this season after opening his account on Tuesday.

Commenting on his goal, Hawkins said: “Yeah it was a good feeling, it’s always good getting the first goal for the club, probably needed it as well because there were a few games where I probably didn’t have many chances or was able to score.

“That sets me off now for the rest of the season to try and get a few more.”

He was one of ten new Gillingham signings in the winter window, and Hawkins hopes to help the Gills stay in the division.

He said: “I’m just happy with this new challenge and being able to try and keep Gillingham in this league and make history really.”

Tuesday’s result means Gillingham are now top of the form guide in the last six games.

Their manager, Neil Harris was pleased with the result against Grimsby.

Harris said: “We have to earn the right still, in games like that the other night, and I thought it was a huge victory in the sense of we showed we have character to bounce back from a defeat.

“We showed we’ve got character to be in front at home, get pegged back, and then go and score again.

“And again, we’ve just shown an ability, and a knowhow, and a mentality that we can win games of football.”

The Gills manager isn’t underestimating the threat Rochdale could pose at the weekend, though.

He said: “We’re going to Rochdale and we have to make sure we’re the better team, and we do the basics of League 2 football right.

“Rochdale, just because they’ve not picked up a lot of points recently, I’ve watched a couple of their games yesterday, and their games are tight.”

Victory for the Gills against Rochdale could mean that they extend the gap between them and the relegation zone to four points.