Gillingham will head to Vale Park this weekend with the chance to influence the League Two title race, as they face already-promoted Port Vale in what could be a final-day thriller.
While promotion has already been sealed by the hosts, they remain in a neck-and-neck fight with Doncaster Rovers to be crowned champions. A win may be needed for Darren Moore’s side to claim top spot – but Gareth Ainsworth and his resurgent Gillingham team have other plans.
Ainsworth Returns to Familiar Ground
Saturday’s clash carries extra significance for Ainsworth, who enjoyed a brief but memorable spell at Port Vale in the late 1990s. His £500,000 transfer fee and subsequent £2 million move to Wimbledon still stand as club records.
“Thank goodness Port Vale have been promoted,” joked Ainsworth. “Well done to them. It’s one of my old teams and a team that means a lot to me… I know they’ll be going for the title, but we’ll have a full-blooded row about that and see where we can end up.”
The Gills manager, who took charge earlier this year, has revitalised the team. Gillingham are unbeaten in 11 matches and have scored in every game under his leadership. With eight of those games coming since his arrival, the former Wycombe boss is quietly laying the groundwork for next season.
Despite being likely to finish 17th, the team’s form hints at more optimistic days ahead. Saturday offers an opportunity to make a statement to the rest of the division, while also potentially spoiling Port Vale’s title party.
“I’d love to sign the season off with a win,” Ainsworth admitted. “That’d be a big message. But I’m down a couple of players, so we’ll have to see how that goes. It will be a super tough game.”
One enforced change will be the absence of Joe Gbode, suspended after scoring in back-to-back games. Ainsworth, though, is determined to address the club’s previous struggles in front of goal and insists progress is already visible.
“We’re creating more chances,” he said. “I was told when I came in that we haven’t got a goalscorer… but the goal [on Saturday] was something special. It was a magic moment. Goalscoring has been an issue but I intend to improve that.”
With the pressure off Gillingham and all eyes on Vale’s title push, the stage is set for an intriguing season finale in Staffordshire.
Writer’s View
Gillingham’s trip to Port Vale could offer far more than a final-day formality. Under Gareth Ainsworth, the Gills have rediscovered fight, organisation and confidence. A win on Saturday wouldn’t just deny Vale the title – it would cement Ainsworth’s status as the man to lead a true revival at ME7. The summer rebuild will be key, but a strong finish against promotion contenders could set the tone beautifully.
