Newport will look to bounce back from Tuesday’s game against Notts County when they make the trip to Gillingham and the Priestfield Stadium this Saturday. Our last visit to Gillingham in April was certainly one to remember, and it is the subject of this week’s From the Archive.
Gillingham’s Brian Moore stand lives in infamy among football fans. The uncovered ‘temporary’ stand behind the goal has become the stuff of away day legend, sitting right up there with the iconic entrance to Luton’s away end.
For some, it is a unique stand that adds character to the stadium, making it stand out in the days of modern stadiums with replica designs, whereas others will condemn it, finding it to be a cold and unforgiving stand, especially if you’re unfortunate to play there in the winter months.
Such a stand is always likely to divide opinion, but on April 29th this year, Newport fans made it into a party zone. The game was our final away day of the season, and 419 Exiles made the trip across to Kent, but the noise that was generated made it feel like 4,019.
The celebrations started early, with Cameron Norman meeting a James Waite corner to put us in the lead in the eighth minute. The Gills found a way back into the game in the 17th minute when Tom Nichols converted a penalty.
Omar Bogle, a man who had bagged a brace the week before in our penultimate home game against Harrogate, was on hand to save the day late in the game. Mickey Demetriou headed down a free kick into the box to the feet of Bogle, who turned and smashed it past a helpless Glenn Morris in the Gillingham goal.
Cue wild celebrations in the away end, with Exiles rushing to the front of the stand, some dressed as bananas, to celebrate what would be our last three points of the campaign. It was a crazy scene that will live long in the memory of Newport fans, and we will be hoping for more on Saturday.