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Sport

Gillingham goalkeeper Jake Turner admitted to a mistake against Sheffield United in the FA Cup but boasts a joint-best clean sheet record in League 2

By: Luke Cawdell lcawdell@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 19 January 2024

No goalkeeper in League 2 has kept more clean sheets than Gillingham’s Jake Turner.

There may have been some criticism heading his direction after the 4-0 loss to Sheffield United in the FA Cup - beaten with a shot between his legs at his near post for the opener - but with a record like his the former Newcastle United academy stopper has every reason to feel proud of his efforts.

Jake Turner helped the Gills beat Charlton Athletic 2-0 in the FA Cup Picture: Keith Gillard

Turner was handed the no.1 spot at Gillingham this season ahead of the experienced Glenn Morris and has repaid that faith with 10 shut-outs in the league and a couple more in the FA Cup.

Only Mansfield Town’s Christy Pym and Stockport County’s Ben Hinchcliffe can match Turner’s record of 10 clean sheets in League 2 this season, both playing for teams inside the top three.

Turner said: “The lads performed well against Sheffield United. I don’t think it was a 4-0 game, personally, I made a mistake maybe for one of the goals, but that’s the life of a goalkeeper, you have to try and move on and we got the win in the league the next game.

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“On a personal note, (the clean sheets) are good, but it’s a whole collective, the defenders, midfielders and strikers, we all dig in to try and keep a clean sheet.

Gillingham goalkeeper Jake Turner has kept 12 clean sheets this season, including 10 in League 2 Picture : Keith Gillard

“It is something we practice as a whole team, the last few games I have not made many saves as defensively we have been excellent, from the attackers all the way back. When I am called upon hopefully I can help the team out.

“If we get a clean sheet then I am happy, but the three points is the main thing.”

Turner helped the Gills to earn a point at Forest Green Rovers before Christmas in a goalless draw. Four weeks on and they face the same opponents again but now with three wins behind them including a first victory from behind, as they beat Accrington 2-1 last weekend.

Turner said: “We have not come from behind enough this season, to win games especially, so to show the character we did after going 1-0 down was massive for us, it shows how together the team is, it was a massive win.

“We have won three on the bounce now and hopefully we can make it four.”

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