Football VAVEL

Gillingham vs Harrogate Town: League Two Preview, Gameweek 4, 2022

Harrogate Town head south to face Gillingham at the Priestfield Stadium, in what will be the first ever competitive meeting between the sides. 

Gillingham vs Harrogate Town: League Two Preview, Gameweek 4, 2022
Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium will host the Gills first ever encounter against Harrogate Town. 
Pic: Chris Vaughan - Camera Sport/Getty Images.
scott_kelly
By Scott Kelly

Gillingham and Harrogate Town meet at the Priestfield on Tuesday evening, with Neil Harris' Gills wanting to get back to winning ways following a very disappointing result at the weekend. 

Team news

Gillingham

The Kent club go into this one on the back of a 3-0 thumping away against Tranmere Rovers at the weekend. Neil Harris' team was unchanged from the previous game so expect him to ring the changes for this game.

They are a club much changed following their relegation to League Two, with big name players such as Jack Tucker, Vadaine Oliver and highly rated youngster Gerald Sithole moving on. 11 new signings have been brought in, all either free transfers and loans, with the likes of goalkeeper Glenn Morris, signed on loan from Crawley Town, Shaun Williams and former Crewe pair Mikael Mandron and Scott Kashket adding much needed experience.

The club on Monday completed the loan signing of Lincoln City winger Hakeeb Adelakun, so expect him to be in contention. Stuart O'Keefe came off the bench during Saturday's game after a recent injury so expect him to be in contention for this game too. 

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Harrogate

Simon Weaver's men have had quite the unusual first three games of the season. They drew 0-0 at home to Crawley on Saturday, however they have had the misfortune of a 3-0 defeat at Crewe, and the pleasure of a 3-0 victory at home to Swindon Town, with a 1-0 defeat to Stockport County in the Carabao Cup also in the books.

Weaver's North Yorkshire side have no new injury problems, with Alex Pattison coming into the side on Saturday after picking up a knock, whilst Tyler Frost also made the squad after an injury but never came off the bench.

Former Southampton defender Kayne Ramsey made an impressive debut in defence on Saturday so he will be looking to retain his place. Club captain Josh Falkingham, Max Wright, Will Smith and Rory McArdle all remain absentees. 

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Likely lineups

Gillingham (4-4-1-1): Morris; Wright, Ehmer (C), Baggott, Law; Adelakun, Williams, O'Keefe, Green; Kashket; Mandron.

Harrogate (4-4-2) Jameson; Welch-Hayes, Ramsey, Burrell, Mattock; Dooley, Pattison, Daly, Austerfield; Muldoon, Armstrong. 

Key players

Stuart O'Keefe

One of just a few players in League Two with Premier League experience, O'Keefe was part of the Crystal Palace side that won promotion to the top flight in 2013. After leaving in 2015, O'Keefe is now in his fourth season with Gillingham and finds himself tasked with helping turn around the Gills' fortunes and helping gain them promotion back to the third tier.

The 31-year-old provides an athleticism to his game, extreme hard work and is not afraid to shirk away from a tackle which will be vital for the Gills this season. Accompanied by veteran Shaun Williams, the duo give much needed experience at this level. Injuries hindered him last season which damaged his impact on the squad but there is no doubt that O'Keefe is a player who can take the fourth tier by storm with a decent run of games.

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Kayne Ramsay

Signed permanently from Southampton just hours before Saturday's draw with Crawley, Ramsay joins a backline which tends to concede goals. Only Scunthorpe United conceded more goals than Harrogate (75) last season, proving that they need to stop the rot.

Ramsay, like O'Keefe, has played Premier League football for his former club and started his Town career in earnest with a debut clean sheet.

Playing alongside experienced heads like vice captain Warren Burrell and full back Joe Mattock will only improve him. His versatility across the back line, along with his power and burst of pace could be vital too and if Town improve their goals against column in League Two this season, and the goals from the likes of Jack Muldoon and Luke Armstrong keep coming, then they could have a strong season. 

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Match details 

Where is the game being played? 

The game will take place at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium, home of Gillingham FC, based in Gillingham, Kent.

What time is kick off?

The game kicks off at 19:45 (BST) on Tuesday August 16. The match referee will be Lee Swaby.

How can I watch?

The game is available to watch via iFollow which can be accessed on both club websites. Fans can also watch post-match highlights, which are typically available shortly after the full time whistle.