Gillingham Football Club travel to face Rochdale this Saturday in a Sky Bet League Two fixture with manager Gareth Ainsworth seeking his first win. The match at the Crown Oil Arena kicks off at 3pm on September 5, 2026, as reported by Gillingham Football Club. The Gills currently sit 21st in the league table with three points from four games, having drawn three and lost one. They have scored just two goals while conceding five, leaving them with a negative three goal difference and six points behind early leaders Bristol Rovers.

Robbie McKenzie is considered a slight doubt for the visitors after picking up a leg injury during the recent draw with Chesterfield. His potential absence would be a blow, given his contribution in the last meeting between these sides. In February 2023, McKenzie provided the cross for Oli Hawkins' 23rd-minute opener in a 2-0 Gillingham victory at the same ground. George Lapslie added a second with fifteen minutes remaining, assisted by Tom Nichols.

What are the team news for both sides?

Gillingham's squad includes two recent additions who could feature. Eli King signed from Cardiff City on deadline day, and Zech Obiero is on a season-long loan from Leyton Orient. Rochdale manager Ian Watson has new options too, with Glenn Middleton signing earlier this week and possibly making his squad debut. Watson's side secured a 3-0 win against Shrewsbury on Tuesday, but defender Ethan Ebanks-Landell went off in the first half and may miss Saturday's game.

Former Gillingham loanee Jonny Smith came off the bench to score in that victory and will be pushing for a start against his old club. Rochdale also have doubts over Ryan East due to a toe injury, while Sam Sherring could return after missing the midweek win. Gillingham have been allocated 400 tickets for away supporters in the Willbutts Lane Stand. Any unsold tickets will be available on matchday at the Rochdale ticket office in the David Kilpatrick main stand.

What have the managers said ahead of the match?

Both managers have spoken about the importance of the result. Gareth Ainsworth was direct about his need for a victory. "I want to win. I do want to win," Ainsworth said. "I know that I am four without a win, and you need to win in this game." His counterpart, Ian Watson, reflected on his team's positive performance in their last outing. "You could see we were playing without fear," Watson said after the Shrewsbury win. "The boys want to win so much and run so hard that it can sometimes manifest as anxiety."

How does the historical record look?

The head-to-head record favours Gillingham slightly, with 19 wins to Rochdale's 16 and 19 draws. That last 2-0 win in February 2023 is the most recent memory for fans travelling north. For those not making the trip, domestic supporters can purchase an audio pass for a one-off fee. Overseas fans have access to a video feed with commentary from BBC Radio Kent, also for a single payment. The referee for the match will be Jamie Robinson, assisted by David Woodward and Aaron Hallam, with Steven Copeland as fourth official.

Where do Gillingham stand in the early season?

The context for this fixture is Gillingham's slow start to the campaign. With no wins from their first four matches, picking up points on the road becomes important. The team's form reads DDDL, and improving a goalscoring record of just two is a clear priority. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches on the club's standings and fixtures pages. The next game after Rochdale will be another opportunity to climb the table. The full squad available to Ainsworth is listed on the official squad page.