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Sport

FA Cup: Gillingham boss Steve Lovell hoping for another chance to slay Premier League opposition at Priestfield

By: Luke Cawdell lcawdell@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 07:42, 07 January 2019

Updated: 11:43, 07 January 2019

Gillingham are eyeing up the big guns following Saturday’s memorable FA Cup win.

The Gills knocked out Premier League side Cardiff City thanks to Elliott List’s late goal at Priestfield in the third round tie.

They are now in the fourth round of the competition for the first time since 2004 and in the hat for Monday's draw alongside the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Boss Steve Lovell says Priestfield will be rocking should Gillingham get a home draw in the FA Cup fourth round Picture: Ady Kerry

Lovell said: “It will be exciting now to look forward to that draw and see who we get.

“Whoever it is, it doesn’t matter, we will give it everything again. It’s a great competition, one I have loved playing in and at the moment I love managing in, long may it continue.”

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Pressed on who he would prefer, Lovell said: “I would love a home tie, it is great to have this place rocking, from a personal point of view.

“From a club’s perspective and a financial one, one of the big boys away would be fantastic. I can’t lie, we would all love to go to a big stadium but a Premier League club at home would be brilliant.”

The Gills had a crowd of more than 7,000 at Priestfield on Saturday and pocketed £135,000 in prize money – a big help to the bank balance.

Lovell said: “The chairman (Paul Scally) will be a little happier than normal but it is a great result for the club.

“We don’t know who we will get on Monday now, it could be a big one again, he will be even happier if we get a big one – so will we all!”

The weekend’s bumper crowd was certainly welcomed by Lovell, who added: “They were excellent, brilliant.

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“They are like any supporters, they are noisy and get behind the team if they have got something to support, to cheer about.

“It is us who have to produce that and if we do it they will get behind us, that is what happened. They could see the work ethic was there. It was brilliant at the end to be in front of a crowd like that.”

Gillingham had so nearly been on the wrong end of a giant-killing themselves this season, needing a replay, a last-gasp penalty and extra-time to see off non-league Hartlepool before edging aside part-timers Slough 1-0 in round two.

Lovell said: “We knew how Hartlepool and Slough did against us and that is what we did against Cardiff, we made it difficult for them. We created opportunities and scored a great goal to win the game.

“It’s very pleasing, a great win but it’s onto next week now at Burton (in the league).”

The fourth round draw takes place live on BBC 1 after the match between Wolves and Liverpool, with Gillingham ball number three. Games take place over the weekend of Saturday, January 26.

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