A rare double red card was shown after two players’ crunching tackle at Gillingham v Fleetwood Town on Bank Holiday Monday.
The Gills’ bottom of the table clash against Fleetwood on Monday was marred by one of the wildest red card incidents you’ll see all season as a player from each side was simultaneously dismissed following an ugly 50/50.
Gillingham’s Charlie Kelman launched himself at a loose ball that Fleetwood winger Paddy Lane also went for, leading to a studs-first collision which left both men ending up in agonising pain.
Players from both sides quickly swarmed the referee attempting to convince him that their teammate was the innocent one, and it left the official with no choice but to hand out an unprecedented double red.
Two red cards in one tackle, what on earth pic.twitter.com/jr9SYj0CRq
— Hdhehehsdhsh (@James2390421) April 18, 2022
It was bound to get heated at one point, with both sides fighting for their lives at the bottom of League One, though few could expect what was about to play out.
Following their tense 0-0 draw, Neil Harris’ Gills remain a point above Fleetwood – and the relegation zone – though their opponents crucially still have a game in hand.
Commenting on the match, Harris said: “We deserved to win the game and there was only one team trying to win the game. For me the weekend has been a missed opportunity for us, not to pick up more points than the two we got.
“I was disappointed with my team for the first half hour, we weren’t good enough, it looked like we played the occasion, looked very nervy, miss-placed passed, miss-controlled the ball. Then after that the best chance of the game fell to Charlie Kelman, from six yards out, and that did settle us down.
“We got the fans behind us, really got into good areas of the pitch and created chances and ultimately did enough to win the game.
“We need to make more chances at home, we can’t just rely on set-plays, or a moment of magic from someone, we have to do better.
“I am disappointed and I am a bit agitated that we have not won the game, I told my players we need better quality. I am agitated that we didn’t win the game at Cheltenham because we gave two really poor goals away.”
Harris felt the decision to give Kelman a red card was harsh while another incident involving the striker had seen him go down under pressure in the box, left asking questions with the referee come the end of the game.
“Decisions make football matches,” he said, adding: “We didn’t not win the game because of that.”
The double red card incident. #Gills pic.twitter.com/IrG2BneK8a
— Matt Phipps (@MJPhippsy) April 18, 2022
Head Coach Stephen Crainey spoke to the press after his side’s goalless draw against Gillingham at Priestfield.
On the clash against Gillingham…
“We will see this as a point gained come the end of the season; it’s a tough place to come as Gillingham throw everything, they’ve got at you. They’re a direct football team who have [Vadaine] Oliver up front, but I thought everyone stood up as a man and they were all counted today.
“We had a couple of flashes across the goal in the first half, Ellis [Harrison] was unlucky not to get on the end of a Cian [Hayes] cross from the right-hand side. The mentality of the group was outstanding, and I was pleased with most today.
“We’re going to need that character every single game in the run-in. I keep saying it, they’re cup finals from now until the end of the season and with that, we want to go and win the game against Wimbledon. We’re going to get rested up, recover from today and hopefully get a positive result come Saturday.”
On what was expected at Priestfield…
“The first 15 minutes at Oxford killed us, but the rest of the time in the game was similar to today. We battled really well in that game, unlucky not to get the draw, and we battled hard today again and got the point we needed. We need to maintain those standards if we are going to stay in this league.
“I thought considering the amount of time he [Josh Harrop] was out with his hamstring injury, he was very good in the game today and you can see the quality he’s got. You could see he tired a little bit towards the end, which was understandable, but I was pleased with him whilst he was on the pitch.
“I said to the group that this is what the game would invite and that’s exactly what happened, we know how Gillingham plays, and if you don’t stand up to be counted, you will get punished for it – we did it to a man today.”
On Paddy Lane’s injury…
“It’s too early to say anything on Paddy [Lane]’s injury, he’s still with the medical team. It was just a coming together, but it looked like an old-school full-blooded challenge from the side, I feel it’s a bit harsh sending both players off because the both of them were fully committed so it’s a little bit frustrating in that sense, but the main thing is Paddy’s welfare.
“He’s been outstanding and is always around the top of the charts for goals and assists this season so hopefully he’s ok. He’s been sent off in the game so it’s going to be disappointing losing Paddy, but it gives someone else a chance to come into the team and stake their claim.”
Twitter users reacted as a double red card gets shown after two players’ crunching tackle at Gillingham v Fleetwood…
@jonny153x: Watched it a dozen times.. not sure.. I suppose a reasonable call from the ref..i don’t know, did the Fleetwood lad pull out of the challenge? Or did he leave his feet in… what an odd situation… fair play Charlie for going for it 💪
@MedwayViking: Kellman unlucky there, you can see he doesn’t go in studs up unlike the Fleetwood player
@pdgwallis: Only 5 rolls Kelman?
@Fin_Seath72: Efl refs need to be investigated I stg
@garyfleming14: @efl having seen the standard of refereeing in the championship all season, this is in absolute guess
@james21636016: Ref COULDNT WAIT to give our player a red there #gills
@fozzy_chris: 50:50, play on
@JDenman9: Both players apparently got a red for this, first time I’ve ever seen something like this from what I can remember
@GillsInTheBlood: Looking at it back I think in fairness to the ref he’s got it right. Don’t think there’s any intent to hurt, but both players are out of control and over the ball.
@darius_s1987: The ref was yet another joke today and this is case and point. Absolutely ridiculous to send Kelman off when he’s sliding with his legs not even extended
@TGJ03: Two red cards for this yet he gave the free kick to us? How does this work @EFL
@RhysTight: Peak English footy
@steven_george: Thought it was a double red on first view still think is now the thing the baffles me is that the ref gave the free kick! #gills
@ReeceBoast: I’m still confused to how it’s a red card for both that’s going for the same ball but then awards Gillingham the free kick
@ReeceHeard_: Genuinely never seen two players get sent off for contesting the same challenge before. Even more baffling was the referee gave us a free-kick…
@AdamHickin: Both players sent off for this. Seems a bit harsh on the Gillingham player, who seemed to slide in rather than jump like the Fleetwood one.
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