Points push for Latics
Reporter: by MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date published: 21 November 2013
Charlie MacDonald in action for Athletic reserves v Wrexham reserves.
ATHLETIC manager Lee Johnson hopes to rid the club of its curse at Gillingham.
Despite excellent form in knock-out competitions this season, Athletic have won only twice in Sky Bet League One since August.
It is a record which will surely start to improve if the team can replicate the sort of effort which put Wolves to the sword in the FA Cup this week.
Johnson is desperate to lift the club from its lowly station of 18th in the division and is urging his men to be on their mettle at Priestfield on Saturday in order to gain three vital points.
“It means a lot to all of us at the club to get through each round,” said Johnson, of the 2-1 first-round replay win at Molineux which nets Athletic £18,000 in prize money and a home tie in round two against Mansfield on Saturday, December 7.
“We know we are not blessed with unbelievable riches, and it is a big win which keeps our season going.
“I am desperate to kick on in the league now. I know we can — I think I’ll get a witch doctor in to get rid of the hoodoo that seems to be stopping us in the league!
“I am looking forward to Gillingham on Saturday. It will be a really tough game for us and we can’t relax, because football can quickly give you a little slap around the face.”
Gillingham found that out to their cost as they were beaten 1-0 in their own FA Cup first-round replay at Brackley Town on Monday night, two days after claiming the scalp of Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
For Johnson, Athletic’s recent consistent run has a lot to do with a new-found equilibrium between goal-hunting and defending.
“What has been better is our balance of attacks,” he said. “We were being hit on the counter quite a few times before, but at the moment we are not.”
Connor Brown (knee) apart, Johnson has a full squad to select from for the Kent trip, provided Cristian Montano (knee and back) and David Mellor (cramp) recover as quickly as expected.
Jonathan Grounds is back after serving a one-game ban and Joseph Mills is eligible again, in the last game of his loan spell from Burnley.
Striker Charlie MacDonald played for an hour for the reserves in their 2-1 home defeat to Wrexham in the Central League, West Division at Chapel Road yesterday.
Kyle Hardman scored the goal for an Athletic side packed with youngsters.
