Following two cup games, the U's return to action in the league with a home tie against Gillingham in the Essex vs Kent derby… or should that be the Joe Dunne derby… either way there's only one (league) team in Essex (and Kent) and Joe Dunne is iconic for both.
While cup games against lesser teams brought welcome victories for the U's (yes I'll count penalties as a win), it's a win in the league which we are desperate for, the last being the 1-0 victory over Rochdale back in August!
Injuries have been a key contributor to the winless streak, and we're going into this game with more players added to joining an already crowded treatment room after Rob Hunt and Kaion Lisbie both came off injured on Tuesday night. At last count, the other players out are: Harry Anderson, Teddy Bishop, Leon Chiwome, Kylian Kouassi, Jake Leake, Beryly Lubala, Tom Smith, Frankie Terry, and Jay Williams. There are enough names there to make a starting XI!
With so many players out, the starting line-up picks itself. The only position with competition is who starts upfront – I'd go with Jayden Williams and have Kien Connolly as back-up. Bradley Ihionvien can go and sulk back at Peterborough.
Lo-TutalaVincent-YoungTuckerRaggettIandoloDigbyPerryThornPayneSesayWilliams (Jayden)
What of Gillingham? The Gills sit 8th in League Two with 20 points from 14 matches. Their record is won 5, drawn 5, and lost 4 in the league, scoring 20 goals and conceding 19. They have been stronger on their travels than at Priestfield. Their away record is won 3, drawn 2, and lost 2, including big 4-1 wins at Rochdale and Rotherham, plus a 2-1 victory at Shrewsbury in their most recent league outing. Over their last six league games, their form reads DWLDLW (0-0 vs Newport, 4-1 at Rotherham, 1-3 at Accrington, 1-1 vs Port Vale, 1-4 vs Grimsby, and 2-1 at Shrewsbury). Last weekend they exited the FA Cup with a 1-0 home defeat to Barrow.
Over 1,000 away tickets have been sold, so it looks like we're going to have one of our biggest attendances of the season. Hopefully that makes for a good atmosphere and an entertaining game. Sadly I don't see us winning this one, so I'm going to predict a hard-fought 1-1 draw. Gillingham's top scorer Ronan Hale will net for them and Williams will equalise for us.
Played for both - Of the current squads, Jack Tucker and Will Goodwin have played for both. Ellis Iandolo and Sean Raggett came through the youth ranks at Gillingham.
Weather - It's due to be a sunny but cold one.
Up the U's |  |
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