Robbie Reinelt’s extra-winner denied Fulham a plum tie against Premier League Sheffield Wednesday as Gillingham won a dramatic FA Cup second round replay at Craven Cottage this evening.
Reinelt’s winning goal in the 112th minute of a highly-charged local derby robs Fulham of a much-needed pay day and was a sickening blow at the end of an end-to-end encounter where Ian Branfoot’s boys gave as good as they got. The hosts made the sharper start with the link-up play between full back Duncan Jupp and experienced midfielder John Marshall posing problems for the Gills in the early stages.
Branfoot had paired on-loan forward Nick Cusack with former Wimbledon striker Alan Cork up front but those two were well-marshalled by the visiting defence. It was left to Gary Brazil, operating from the left wing, to provide Fulham’s goal threat but he narrowly failed to beat Steve Banks to a dangerous cross from Marshall.
Gillingham had offered little as an attacking force before former Fulham forward Chris Pike climbed impressively to head the visitors into the lead from Andy Arnott’s flighted cross ten minutes on 26 minutes. Marshall almost conjured up an equaliser just before half time but his speculative shot whistled agonisingly wide of the far post.
The home side continued to look woefully short of finishing prowess in the final third and Gillingham could have ended the contest midway through the second period when Adrian Foster volleyed wide after more expert hold up play from Pike. But Fulham kept plugging away and substitute Rory Hamill plundered an equaliser with eleven minutes left. The Belfast born teenager fired fabulously home from 25 yards to take the tie into extra time.
Reinelt had missed a glorious chance to restore Gillingham’s lead in the 98th minute when he intercepted a sloppy back pass from Jupp and ran through on Stannard’s goal only to shoot into the side netting. The striker made glorious amends five minutes into the second period of extra time when he turned home Paul Watson’s inswinging corner at the far post to break Fulham hearts.
FULHAM: Stannard; Jupp, Herrera, Mison, Moore, Blake, Marshall, Morgan, Cusack, Brazil, Cork (Hamill 66). Subs (not used): Harrison, Angus.
GOAL: Hamill (79).
GILLINGHAM: Banks; Carpenter, Watson, Smith, Arnott, Green, Micklewhite, Butler, Foster (Reinelt 83), Pike, Smillie. Subs (not used): Trott, Barrett.
BOOKED: Carpenter.
GOALS: Pike (26), Reinelt (112).
REFEREE: Mike Pierce (Portsmouth).
ATTENDANCE: 6,536.
