"Mango's Mouth"

Well, we know we now have to travel to North Dorset club Gillingham Town in 10 days time in thenext round of the Cup, so here's a match report of that amazing win v Saltash United last night, courtesy of their website (thank you guys):

"Match report:
Well just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, these two teams put on a footballing spectacular in front of the Gill’s biggest ever home crowd. 381 people turned up on a cold, cloudy and windy Tuesday evening in September and they were rewarded with a scintillating game of football.

There was a nervous start to the game with neither team creating a real chance until the 13th minute, when Ben Thomson went on one of his thrilling runs, beating three defenders in the process and then placing his shot just inside the post. 1-0. The visitors drew level on 24 minutes when a corner fell at the feet of their striker 6 yards out and he made no mistake with his finish. Saltash then took the lead on 31 minutes with the Gills defence being caught napping when a free kick just outside the box was deftly lofted over the defence to a player who had timed his run well and he slotted home from inside the area.

The Gills equalised on 36 minutes when Jon Delahaye played a long ball out of defence and Matthew Chant won the race with his marker to collect the ball, slotting it past the advancing keeper. The first half ended with the scores level at 2-2 and nothing between the teams.

The second half continued in the same vein when after only 4 minutes the Gills went 3-2 up when a Matthew Chant corner was met by Jason Manley whose short range shot found the net. Saltash drew the scores level again just past the hour with another set piece. This time a free kick just outside the box was taken quickly and found the net via the bottom of the post. The rest of normal time saw both teams creating chances and both goalies pulling off some great saves, but no goals, so normal time finished 3-3.

The game went into extra time and the Gills took the lead again after 4 minutes when Lee Gale was through on goal and chipped his shot over the keeper. However Saltash equalised again only 3 minutes later when Dan Rodgers misjudged a cross into the area and the ball hit his raised arm. The Ref awarded the penalty and their striker made no mistake blasting the ball into the centre of the goal. 4-4.

In the second half of extra time the Gills again took the lead when Ben Thomson scored his second from close range, but with only 3 minutes left to play Saltash scored again making it 5-5. With the game looking as if it was going to penalties Ben Thomson became the man of the hour when he made his hat-trick with yet another dazzling run right at the heart of the defence, placing his shot wide of the outstretched arm of the Saltash goalie.

This truly was an amazing evening of great football played by two in-form teams, with the partisan crowd really getting behind the Gills. The players have asked me to pass on their thanks to all the fans, especially for the way they were clapped off the pitch at the end.

Goal summary:

13 min - Ben Thomson (8/10)
A virtuoso solo goal by Ben Thomson, scored from 18 yards out with the left foot. It has to go down in the records as a first-class effort.

36 min - Matthew Chant (8/10)
A well delivered through-ball from Jon Delahaye was converted by Matthew Chant. A first-class finish with the right foot from 18 yards out.

49 min - Jason Manley (7/10)
A well delivered corner from Matthew Chant was converted by Jason Manley. A fine finish with the right foot from close range.

94 min - Lee Gale (8/10)
Converted from just inside the box with the right foot, it was a superb individual goal which Lee Gale wont forget!

110 min - Ben Thomson (8/10)
Converted from just inside the box with the left foot,

119 min - Ben Thomson (8/10)
After a dazzling run Ben Finished from just inside the box with the left foot. It was a match winning goal which Ben Thomson wont forget!"

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Have to admit, it's going to be an interesting game for us Mangos down there! We mustn't under-estimate them, whatever happens, because the Gills lads are REALLY going to be up for this one.

But I'm sure we will be too...........