Inside Gillingham's late drama: Vokes' role in Clark's pressure penalty


Inside Gillingham's late drama: Vokes' role in Clark's pressure penalty

Gillingham's penalty hero Max Clark saluted experienced team-mate Sam Vokes for making his job a lot easier on Saturday.

Vokes picked up the ball after Gillingham won a stoppage-time penalty at Bromley, and then stood there for some time as the keeper received treatment, fooling the home players into thinking he was going to have the responsibility of trying to level the scores. The Gills were 2-1 down before the referee pointed to the spot on 94 minutes.

Home keeper Grant Smith received lengthy treatment after the coming together with Garath McCleary, which led to the penalty, but once he was back on his feet, Vokes handed Clark the ball, and he smashed it home to level it up at 2-2 and complete a brilliant comeback from two goals down.

Clark spoke about how it went on the pitch as everyone waited patiently for the penalty to be taken.

He said: "Sam knew I was going to be taking the penalty. He came up to me and he said, 'You stay away from it and I'll deal with it. I'll take the ball as if I'm going to take it.'

"He was getting a lot of stick from their players because they were adamant he was going to take the penalty. It worked a treat for us, didn't it?

"They were absolutely battering him, trying to get in his head. Luckily, he took all that stick for me.

"I'm thankful to Vokesy for looking after me and using his experience.

"He's just a top, top guy. Obviously, he knows how to work it. He knows how to work the game. He's played in so many games.

"It was a long time waiting and I was just trying to stay away from it all. He just literally made everything so much calmer for me.

"Thankfully it went in and there were great scenes at the end with the fans and it's a good point for us."

Vokes was first to congratulate Clark on the goal, which completed a turnaround for the Gills after going two goals behind with just 12 minutes gone.

"He's helping big man Josh Andrews every day. What a great mentor to have, trying to help you out with your career. He's a great, great person to have behind you."

Manager Gareth Ainsworth loved watching it all unfold too at the end of the League 2 contest, which had seen the last remaining undefeated sides in the division come together.

The Gills boss said: "You talk about gamesmanship. Their goalkeeper stayed down a long time. I don't know if it was more than necessary because that's what keepers do when somebody is against them.

"Sam Vokes, again, big experience. Picked the ball up like he was going to take it. Probably getting a bit of abuse from the opposition. Probably getting a bit of mind games from the opposition.

"Max Clark was out of the box. Nobody near him when it came to take the penalty. Sam's given him the ball, and he slammed it home.

"It was an important one. He stepped up and was really assured and it was brilliant to have done it in front of the Gillingham fans."

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