Gills striker hopeful his late goal against Leyton Orient will help boost his confidence
Cody McDonald is hopeful his last minute winner against Leyton Orient on Saturday can kick start his season.The striker came off the bench in the second half and scored in dramatic fashion right at the death to clinch all three points for the Gills in a 3-2 win.
The forward was rested for the game at Crawley last Tuesday, and was rested for a few games at the same time last year, and he thinks this may have had a positive affect.
Speaking to Gills Player on Monday he said: “It was about this sort of time last season, I wasn’t playing a lot of games anyway but when the gaffer came in I was in the team.
"I started the first game and came out for a few matches, got back in and then stayed in so maybe that’s what I needed.
“I know myself I haven’t been playing that great but I’ll keep going and keep trying and hopefully that goal on Saturday will give me a bit of confidence.”
Leon Legge bagged a brace on the day to make the score 2-1, and the striker conceded the squad felt they may have to settle for a point following a late equaliser, until they were awarded a free kick with just seconds remaining.
He added: “I think Leggy scored not long after I came on to make it 2-1 and then to concede late on you think doom and gloom with 10 men but we sort of got together on the pitch and said `let’s see this out, we’ll have to settle for a point now.`
“But we got a free kick on the edge of the box which resulted in a corner and it gave us that last chance. The referee told us this was it so we had the opportunity to throw a few bodies forward, that’s what we did and I think we deserved it in the end.”
Cody talked us through his goal, with the striker having to wrap his foot around his marker to get the shot away.
He added: “To be fair to the marker he got in front of me and held me off and I was trying to get round him, the only way to do that was to hook my leg, thankfully I hit it quite well and it’s gone in.
“It doesn’t get much better than that! It [the ground] was absolutely rocking and a great feeling for me and the lads. We haven’t been getting our rewards for some of the performances but on Saturday I think we got that.
“A late goal is always important whether you’re at the top or at the bottom. We haven’t had much luck this season so to know it was the winner aswell makes it better.”