MARTIN ON AFC WIMBLEDON

The Gills manager reflects on Saturday's victory

The Gills battling qualities saw them take the three points at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Saturday to extend their lead at the top of the League Two table to five points.
 
After the 1-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon, where new loan signing Romain Vincelot was on target, Gillingham boss Martin Allen praised his team.
 
He said: “I thought it was a great performance. The last home game they had I think they were 3-0 up after half hour, you could see why.

“They are a strong team, well-organised and I thought all of our players showed tremendous courage. It’s not easy coming back from Torquay at five o’clock in the morning and show backs to the wall, solid defending, we stood firm and sometimes the season’s going to be like that.

“We have played better football but sometimes during the season it’s going to be like that, we stood firm and stood up to the test they presented; every effort against us was long range so fair play to all our players, to the commitment, desire and strength of mind to defend that solitary goal.

"Right from the very off the wind was absolutely horrendous so it didn't make it that easy to play if I’m honest, especially the type of football we like to play.

“The wind was a massive factor in today’s game, but it was a quality finish from the lad and that was enough to win it.

“We could have passed it better and done this and that better but the bottom line is we won 1-0 and all eleven players defended that goal valiantly.

“They had some long-range efforts that Stuart [Nelson] dealt with and we also had to defend their set plays.

“We got deeper than we really wanted to but because of the wind and the slope it was always going to be a game of two halves. If we’d got the second goal I think we’d have gone on and got a lot more but it wasn’t to be."

Moving onto the performance of Frenchman Romain Vincelot, who hit the winner on his debut, Martin continued “He’s a good player, a Championship player with great technique.

“That’s what he’s done at Dagenham & Redbridge to help them get into League One and that’s what he’s here for, to score those types of goals.

"He’s great in the air, he’s a great lad and you’ve got to see he’s a good acquisition.”