Our prediction for this League 2 match:
Forest Green will be aiming to make amends for the FA Cup loss to Blackpool when they take on Gillingham in the League Two round 23. The Green Army are sitting in the relegation zone, meaning that Friday’s clash is of big importance for the home side. Experienced forward Troy Deeney returns to the starting XI, while there are no fresh injury concerns in the home team.
The Gills, meanwhile, failed to impress in a 2-0 loss to Bradford City and given their difficulties on the road, home win should be considered. As Stephen Clemence’s troops have already suffered six defeats on the road this term, we are tempted to bet on Forest Green, who want this win more than the visitors. As for the away team, fit-again forward Oliver Hawkins is pushing for a start after coming as a substitute in the last league match.
Highlighted Player (Troy Deeney):
Troy Deeney started his professional career in 2006 at Walsall. The prolific attacker scored 27 goals in 123 appearances for the club and in 2010 he went on to sign a contract with Watford. He joined the Hornets for a fee of £500,000 and it has to be noted that he scored only two goals for the team in the 2010/2011 Championship campaign.
However, as time went by he was raising his form and in the 2014/2015 the English attacker scored 21 goals for Watford and helped the team secure promotion to the Premier League. Troy Deeney was playing an important role in Quique Sanchez Flores’ team on their return to the English top flight and he bagged no fewer than 13 goals in the 2015/2016 season.
Deeney was born in Birmingham, West Midlands, on 29 June, 1988 and he has two children, Myles, a son, and a daughter Amelia. His brother Ellis is a football player as well, but he plays as a midfielder. The striker has also spent some time in prison, but has since seriously improved his behaviour.
Highlighted Team (Gillingham):
Founded back in 1893, Gillingham FC are an English club that compete in the League One. The Gills are well known for their blue shirts with black stripes, but they wear white shirts with a little yellow and blue, and yellow shirts when playing on the travels.
Priestfield Stadium is the club’s home ground, with the venue holding up to 11,582 spectators. Gillingham City have been playing at the stadium since the club’s foundation. Speaking of the club’s main rivals, over the years the Gills have built up a rivalry to Swindon Town. However, it has to be noted that Swindon fans do not consider Gillingham their biggest rivals.
Former goalkeeper Roy Hillyard is the Gillingham City player with the most appearances. The English shot-stopper played for Gillingham City from 1974 to 1991, making 655 appearances for the club. Brian Yeo is the team’s all-time top scorer, netting 149 goals in 387 appearances for the club from 1963 to 1975.