Gills (With A Strong G) Takes Derby Spoils - Gillingham Town vs. Sherborne Town

Sherborne attack in the first half

There wasn't a lot of choice for games on Good Friday with The Western League looking to be the best bet for a game. The easiest game to get to was Gillingham's derby with Sherborne. This was my first experience of The Western League and I was impressed with the whole experience. Gillingham had been fighting relegation for most of the season but after beating second place Buckland 4-1 in their previous home game, it looks like they will comfortably beat the drop. The visitors were in mid table and also had a good result last time out against a high flying side - drawing 0-0 away to third placed Odd Down. The reverse fixture at Sherboune's Raleigh Grove base ended in a one nil victory for Gillingham.

Kick off at Hardings Lane

Sherbourne have a chance in the first couple of minutes when a long throw isn't dealt with and the resulting effort is cleared off the line. Sherbourne are looking the more comfortable side and they should make more of the chance that presents itself when the Gillingham left back gives the ball away. The home side's first sniff of goal comes with a good cross into the area but no one can get a touch. It is then Sherborne's turn to get a good cross into the area, this time the header doesn't have enough power to seriously trouble the keeper. Gillingham continue to test the Sherborne defence with balls into the area and again the header lacks any serious power. It is yet another cross into the Sherbourne area that leads to the opening goal. The Sherborne keepers drops a cross under pressure and the Gillingham player is on hand to put his side one up at the break.

The Sherbourne defence sees the ball out

As with the first half, Sherbourne have a chance in the opening exchanges of the half - a header over the bar from a pinpoint corner. For the first time in the game, Gillingham begin to take a stranglehold on the match. The home side break at pace and the man over sees his shot tipped around the post. From the resulting corner, the Gillingham attacker heads over the bar. Then following a quick throw in. the Gillingham attacker finds himself in on goal and he makes no mistake to double his sides advantage. Gillingham now go for the third goal and the Sherbourne goalie makes another great save after a long ball forward. And from the resulting corner he makes another save on the line. The keeper kept the visitors in the game and for a short while it looks like they have a chance for a point as they pull a goal back. The Gillingham keeper can't keep hold of a powerful shot and the Sherborne player is on hand to score. However, the home side quickly restore the two goal advantage. The Gillingham winger is able to get to the byline and his pull back is buried from close range. Despite the setback Sherbourne keep on pushing and the forward thinks he's scored after rounding the keeper but his effort is hacked off the line.

There was a good crowd for the Easter derby

Despite the distance from London, getting to Gillingham is very easy. Trains depart from Waterloo and the journey takes just under two hours. Hardings Lane is then a steady fifteen minute walk from the station. Before the game I walked the opposite direction to the ground and stopped off at The Buffalo. This pub is a little off the beaten track but is worth visiting and had three ales from the Badger Brewery. The clubhouse had the usual selection of drinks and had a TV for the half time scores. After the game I returned to the High Street and into The Red Lion. This pub was very busy at this point and had Sky Sports so is a good spot for the lunch time kick offs.

The Sherborne winger gives the Gillingham full back the slip