Gills Manager happy to register three more points
Gills Manager Martin Allen was delighted to take victory against Dagenham & Redbridge in a local derby in front of nearly 1,000 visiting supporters on Saturday afternoon.
Deon Burton and Myles Weston got the goals either side of half time with Dwight Gayle having levelled the scores from the penalty spot just four minutes after Burton’s opener.
The result means the Gills have yet to be beaten in a competitive game so far this season and the manager was pleased with the way his squad applied themselves.
Following the game he said: “What a great goal [from Weston] and what a great win in a local derby. When you’re in the dugout and look across a the whole stand full up with people was amazing – the atmosphere and joy on players faces was great and the supporters appreciated that we were weathering some pressure – defending crosses and putting bodies on the line.
“Everybody did their stint and that includes the people behind the goal.
“It was always going to be a tough game with the rainstorms and skiddy conditions.
“We deserved to go ahead; there will always be at times at Dagenham when they come into the game because that’s naturally the way they play.
“In the first half we played some fantastic football and made some great opportunities.
“In the second half I thought we played with a lot more quality, got on top and everybody in our team defended. They put their bodies on the line and heads in the way and did a fantastic job.
“When you are winning and away from home you know the opposition will put some pressure on and that’s why I put Jack Payne on, to try and relieve some of that pressure by passing the ball which he did really well and I’m delighted for him.
“You have to say it was a great substitution!”
Burton got his first goal in a Gills shirt at the weekend and the manager was pleased to see him get off the mark following a fine close range header.
He said: “Deon is a good player; he’s fantastic in the dressing room and a model professional on and off the field. That’s why we brought him here, he’s a top person and player but they will all do their bit.”
However one new signing wasn’t part of the squad and that was defender Adam Barrett – Martin explained why his name was missing on the team sheet.
He said: “His ankle was sore yesterday so he said to me `perhaps we should see how it is Saturday` and I said I don’t think so because I have a fantastic centre back called Callum Davies so don’t worry about it.”
The next game for the club will be a home tie against Middlesbrough on Tuesday in the second round of the Capital One Cup, and Martin hopes a large crowd is in attendance as the Gills attempt to overcome a second successive Championship side in the competition.
He said: “It’s a big one for the players too and for all of us. We haven’t spoke about the cup game as a group, we just had to get this one done.
“We will see them all on Monday – I don’t know which team we will play yet but whatever team goes out there will be magical.
“None of them get dropped, I will never drop anybody. We might leave people out or rest people. We try to encourage them, rejuvenate and support them – I know sometimes its horrible when they’re not playing but if I talk to them properly and explain them hopefully they will be ready when they come in next time.
“We can’t have any fear can we? They play really good football; they have some dangerous players and young lads who have come through the academy. But we also have some good players – we had a 19-year old playing today with Callum Davies, he only found out he was playing yesterday but what a performance he put in.”