Gills Trek To North

The Gills' quest for that elusive first win of the season heads to the north east when they face Hartlepool.

Still with just two points away from home this season and with just one win in their last nine games, this is a big game for the Gills.

Hartlepool have lost their last three games, and were beaten 5-0 by MK Dons in their last home game, but they will view a visit from the Gills as a chance to get back on track.

Pools were victorious at Priestfield back in August and with the Gills' lousy away record will be pretty hopeful of completing the double over Mark Stimson's side.

The Gills' last win came at home to Stockport on December 19, but there were encouraging signs on Saturday, with a much-changed side getting a thoroughly deserved point against a team in the play-off places.

A win would lift the Gills further away from the relegation places, and take them above their opponents, showing the difference at the foot of the table is minute.

To do that, the Gills will have to end that away-day hoodoo, but the law of averages suggests it will happen one day... And frankly, the sooner the better.

Pools can call upon left-back Peter Hartley after he completed a three-match ban.

Their last two games have seen them employ a 4-5-1 formation and manager Chris Turner has hinted he will keep faith with that shape.

Made 10 appearances for the Gills in 2006 and failed to keep a clean sheet, but has played three times against the Gills since - all at Priestfield - and not conceded a single goal.

Gills boss Mark Stimson may choose to keep faith with the same team which drew with Colchester on Saturday.

Midfielder Danny Jackman is back in training after more than three months out with a shoulder injury but is not fit to return.

Goalkeeper Simon Royce was on the bench on Saturday, but Alan Julian should keep his place after a clean sheet against the Us.

Defender Simon King is still out with his long-term ankle injury.

Without a goal since the 2-1 defeat at Huddersfield on December 12 and will be desperate to end that run.

This is the 34th meeting between the two clubs and the Gills have 15 wins to Pools' 11.

The Gills have not won at Victoria Park for more than 20 years though, having last won at Hartlepool in September 1989.

Their last visit ended in a 4-0 defeat in March 2008, with Adam Miller missing a penalty in what proved to be Ian Cox's final game for the club.

Walsall (H),
Priestfield,
League One,
Saturday January 30,
3pm

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