By Warren De Lima
warren@canucks-abroad.com

Simeon Jackson’s sparkling play inspires Gillingham’s survival hopes

On April 2nd, Canadian U21 striker Simeon Jackson produced his best performance, since he joined League One (Tier 3) Gillingham back in January for £150 000 (C$300 000). The Mississauga, Ontario native scored two late goals to lift Gillingham to a vital 2-1 home win over Luton Town, one of the teams they are fending off to survive in the Coca-Cola League One (Tier 3).

Just like he had done in previous matches against AFC Bournemouth, Port Vale and Carlisle, the 21 year old Jackson continued to be an offensive menace. With Luton town leading 1-0 for most of the game, Jackson constantly attacked the Luton defence, either setting up shots on goal or bursting through on net himself. Despite his dominance however, he was unable to convert his efforts into goals because Luton Town were succeeding in containing the young Canadian prospect for most of the match.

After 74 minutes however, the Luton Town defence could not contain Jackson any longer. The Canadian U21 pounced on the ball in a scramble in front of the Luton goal and shot it into the back of the net to tie the game 1-1.

Just 10 minutes later, Jackson added another when he left his marker and headed in a superb Nicky Southall cross into the Luton goal, with only 4 minutes left in regulation time to make it 2-1 Gillingham. In celebration, the Mississauga native jumped into a manic crowd of hundreds of Gillingham supporters who poured over their seats to celebrate the Canadian’s game winner.

On the following Saturday, Jackson played 90 minutes in Gillinghams’s 1-1 draw against Millwall in the always unsettling Lions Dens stadium. Jackson continued his sparkling play throughout the game and displayed some superb ball handling and passing skills.

With Gillingham’s thrilling 2-1 win over Luton Town and their 1-1 draw with Millwall, Gillingham have managed to crawl their way up the Coca-Cola League One (Tier 3) table and are now tied with Crewe on points for the final survival spot with 4 matches remaining.

Simeon Jackson was awarded “man of the match” for his 2 goal performance against Luton Town. No doubt Canadian National Team manager, Dale Mitchell is taking note of the Mississauga, Ontario native’s stellar form of late and will be contemplating graduating the Canadian U21 Jackson to the Senior Canadian National Team in future international matches.

Elsewhere throughout the English Football League, several Canadian players were involved with their respective clubs, relegation or promotional battles.

Two Canadian’s were active in the Barclays English Premier League on Saturday. Canadian U21 player, David Edgar started for the first time this season for Newcastle United at home in front of 52 179 supporters at St. James Park and many more viewing on Rogers Sportsnet in Canada. The Kitchener, Ontario native played the whole game and assisted in Newcastle’s first goal in their 3 – 0 win over Reading.

Newcastle United sit in mid-table of the Premier League with nothing to play for and are just looking ahead to next season. David Edgar’s inclusion in the starting 11 in Saturday’s game is an indication that 20 year old may be a component of Newcastle United plan for next year. It would be a relief for Edgar, who had voiced his concerns earlier in the season, about not getting enough playing time on the senior squad.

Canadian National team captain, Paul Stalteri, played 90 minutes in Fulham’s disappointing 3 – 1 home loss to Sunderland on Saturday. Fulham is still fairly alive in the Premier League’s relegation battle, due to a 3 – 0 Birmingham loss to Wigan. Fulham still remain 6 point behind Birmingham for the final survival spot in the Premier League, but time is running out. There are only 5 games remaining for Fulham to crawl out of the drop zone, including a pivotal match against Birmingham themselves.

In the Coca-Cola Championship League (Tier 2), London, Ontario native Jason De Vos, who was offered a 1 year contract extension last week, played 90 minutes for Ipswich Town in the East Anglian’s club embarrassing 2 - 0 away loss to last place Colchester on Saturday. On Wednesday, De Vos captained Ipswich Town to a 1-1 home draw with FA Cup finalist Cardiff.

The dismal defeat against Colchester, coupled with the draw against Cardiff, drops the East Anglian club to 6th place, a point behind Crystal Palace, just outside the final promotional play-off spot. Ipswich Town however, have 4 matches remaining in the season to regain the final promotional playoff spot in the Championship League.

In Coca-Cola League One (Tier 3) action on Saturday, Yeovil Town featured 3 Canadians in their 2-1 away loss to Carlisle. Yeovil Town and Canadian U21/23 goalie, Asmir Begovic continued his MVP form from last weekend, carrying out another inspiring performance against Carlisle. Begovic managed to block 8 shots, but it was a matter of just too much to handle and conceding 2 goals for the unfortunate loss. Football pundits however, praised the Edmonton native for withstanding a barrage of shots in such a composed manner.

Canadian U20 player Jaime Peters also started for Yeovil Town and played 68 minutes and intermittent Canadian national team player Marc Bircham returned to the starting 11 and played 81 minutes. Bircham’s return against Carlisle impressed his manager Russell Slade who indicated in a BBC Somerset interview that the 29 year old Canadian international has a lot more to offer in the matches ahead.

Yeovil Town’s loss has hindered their situation in their relegation battle. Before the match, the South West English club were 8 points clear of the drop zone. With the loss, they are now only 5 points clear with 4 matches remaining in the season.

In Coca-Cola League Two (Tier 4) action, Vancouver native Terry Dunfield played 90 minutes in Macclesfield’s 1-1 away draw with Welsh side Wrexham and sit in 18th place, 6 points clear of relegation with 4 matches remaining and 27 year old Canadian Ross Smith played 79 minutes for Dagenham and Redbridge in their disparaging 1 – 0 away loss to Accrington. Dagenham and Redbridge have lost breathing space as a result of the loss and are now only 5 points clear of relegation with 4 matches remaining.

There were two Canadians who were not in action this past week for the respective teams. Brampton, Ontario native Iain Hume did not dress in Leicester City’s 3 – 0 loss to Sheffield United in the Coca-Cola Championship League (Tier 1) and Mike D’Agostino did not dress in Cheltenham’s 3 – 1 loss to Nottingham forest.