Gills midfielder pleased to get back on the score sheet after strong display at Fleetwood
Charlie Allen says it was a rewarding feeling to score his first professional headed goal having worked on that side of his game recently in training.
Allen, who turned 21 last Sunday, scored Gillingham’s second goal in the 2-2 draw at Fleetwood on Saturday and revealed he and Assistant Manager John Schofield have worked on his heading ability to try and make him even more of a threat going forward.
He said: “It was nice to notch up my first professional headed goal. I’ve got a few for the reserves and in the youth team when I was younger and it’s eluded me for about eight months so it’s nice to get back on the score sheet.
“I’ve been working hard with the Assistant Manager to improve my heading because it’s always been a weak part of my game, it’s nice for it to come off and to share it with John Schofield it was a good moment for us because we have been working really hard on the training ground.
“Scoy has been out there most days throwing balls at me, working on my left foot leap, right foot leap and how to get your head perfect. It sounds silly and sounds like an easy skill but I was really bad at my heading so to finally score a goal from it this season is nice.
“It used to be a regular thing but to get one professionally and get that extra point is good. It was a great cross and he is normally spot on, he put it on a plate for me and it’s hard not to score those really especially with that quality.”
Charlie said the side felt disappointed to concede the goals that they did, and was even more surprised to see Fleetwood keeper Scott Davies save from Danny Kedwell in the dying minutes.
He added: “To concede two scrappy goals to give away from them and then to see what was probably the best save I’ve seen from their keeper right at the death. We feel a little bit hard done by but a point is a point, we had a nightmare journey up here and Charlie Lee was sick at the hotel.
“It was nice with all the distractions to grab the point and especially with all of the fans that have come up here it would have been worse if we had left with nothing.
“Keds couldn’t believe it, I was nearly celebrating with the free-kick that I hit and I thought with a goal and assist I was thinking `let’s go home with three points` but that’s a quality save and you can’t take much away from Keds or the keeper.”
Charlie has only recently returned to first team action following a broken hand, and although he conceded it isn’t ideal to play with, he believes he can return to his best form soon.
“It’s still not right at the moment but it’s OK to play with,” Charlie added. “It was a little knock back but you are always going to get those. I was only out for six or seven games and I worked really hard in the off season so hopefully I’m back to my best for the run in.”
To read Martin’s immediate post match reaction click here.
For our official match report click here.