The result against Rochdale come off the back of an impressive draw at high-flying Ipswich Town on Boxing Day, where both players played the duration for the Gills.



Jones played a further 90 minutes on Sunday, whilst O’Connor was replaced after 61 minutes, as both further contributed to a successful month for Steve Evans’s side who haven’t lost since the 23rd of November.

Good to end 2019 win a win💪🏼 #gills https://t.co/cpO9x8cEZO — Alfie Jones (@ALFIEJONES97) December 29, 2019

There were similar results for Fulham and Harrison Reed, who played 70 minutes in a 3-3 draw at Luton Town on Boxing Day before being a key figure in the 1-0 win at home to Stoke City.



Fulham are now unbeaten in three, a run which coincided with the return of Reed to the side following an injury.



In Europe, Mario Lemina made an impressive return to the Galatasaray side, playing the full match in a 5-0 win for Fatih Terim’s team who breezed past Antalyaspor at home.

Wesley Hoedt continued his consistent form with Royal Antwerp in Belgium, gaining a clean sheet as his side held ninth placed Anderlecht at home on the 27th.



Closer to home, it was a week of mixed emotions for Fraser Forster and Celtic; the keeper playing 180 minutes of the festive period as his side won 2-1 at St Mirren on Boxing Day before falling to an Old Firm defeat at home to Rangers on Sunday.



In non-league, Marcus Barnes made a return to the Eastleigh side as a 60th minute substitute as the Spitfires earned a last-minute equaliser at 8th placed Boreham Wood.

Marcus Barnes returned to action (Photo: Tom Mulholland)

It’s now three unbeaten for Ben Strevens’s side, who had their Boxing Day fixture at home to Aldershot Town called off.



AFC Totton and young goalkeeper Alex Cull were also out of action during the festive period, the elements playing their part in getting their Boxing Day match at home to Sholing called off.

Related Monday Briefing: December 30