We've got real belief that we can achieve something this year, says Gillingham boss Hessenthaler

GILLINGHAM boss Andy Hessenthaler says he is pleased with his side’s recent form in Npower League Two, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Gills returned to the Kent Senior Cup Sponsored by Portablefloodlights.com after a thirteen-year absence ended in a 2-1 defeat at Welling United last Monday.

They opened the scoring through Stefan Payne’s 52^nd minute penalty, but the Blue Square Bet South hosts levelled through the spot through Lee Clarke’s penalty seventeen minutes later.

Just when a disappointing crowd of 206 thought the second round tie was going to be settled in extra time, Gillingham midfielder Bradley Dack slid the ball beyond Argentine keeper Paulo Gazzaniga to send Jamie Day’s side to League rivals Dover Athletic in the quarter-finals.

Gillingham are in ninth place in League Two with 21 points from 13 games and welcome third-placed Oxford United to Priestfield on Saturday.

“We win we go above them, we’re only two points behind them. We’re in ninth, that’s how tight it is.  We’re 21 points, they’re 23,” said Hessenthaler.

“We’ve had a great win on Saturday against Torquay.  We had a great point against Port Vale and we probably should’ve won the game.

“Our last five games we’ve won three and drawn one and lost one so the form’s not bad.

“If you take away, we won’t talk about the Johnstone’s Paint, but the League’s important but if we look at that as a League programme we’re quite happy.

“There’s a real belief in the dressing room that we can start getting on a run – again, it’s such a tight league.”

Hessenthaler then takes his side to face eleventh-placed Swindon Town next Tuesday.

Swindon have signed Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wes Foderingham on loan until January.

The 20-year-old came through the Fulham academy before joining Palace on a two-year deal in August 2010.

He has yet to make an appearance for the Eagles but gained first team experience while on loan at Bromley at the start of last season.

Foderingham was a key member of Bromley’s excellent start to their Blue Square Bet South campaign last season, where Mark Goldberg’s side won their first seven league games and topped the table.

“I like him as a goalkeeper. I spoke to him and he’s excited to sign for us,” said Swindon manager Paulo Di Canio, whilst being interviewed by BBC Wiltshire.

“As usual when I sign a player I look in their eyes and say ‘I like you, you are quality’, but obviously I don’t promise a place to anybody.”

Looking ahead to their trip to Swindon, Hessenthaler said: “They’re a little bit Jekyll & Hyde, a little bit like ourselves at times.

“I think they’re capable on their day and they do have days’ when they’re off their game.

“Hopefully we can go there and we’re on top of our game.  It’s an interesting game for our fans and their fans because there’s a little bit of rivalry there over the years’.

“We’ve just have to worry about getting another win against them and we can kick on for the next one.”

Hessenthaler added: “It’s very tight in the league, you get back to back wins and you can propel yourself up the league.

“We need to be in the mix come Christmas.  At the moment we’re in the mix and we want to continue to be in the mix.  We’ve got a very good, strong squad of players’, who have got real belief we can achieve something this year.”

Visit Gillingham’s website: www.gillinghamfootballclub.com  

Gillingham  v  Oxford United
Npower League Two
Saturday 22^nd October 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Priestfield Stadium, Redfern Avenue, Gillingham, Kent ME7 4DD