Gillingham seal first away league win of the season thanks to Lee Martin stunner.
Steve Lovell was thrilled to see his Gillingham side upset Peterborough United at the ABAX Stadium with a 1-0 win to claim all three points following a brilliant attacking performance in the first half and a valiant backs-to-the-wall display in the second period.
Captain Lee Martin gave the Gills the lead at the break after a brilliant curling strike from 30 yards bounced in off the both posts while Josh Parker and Elliott List were unlucky not to extend the lead further with keeper Bond pulling off two magnificent saves.
The Posh threw everything at the Gills defence in the second period, but a brave rear-guard action and some crucial saves from Tomas Holy secured Gillingham’s first away victory of the season.
Lovell was pleased that the attacking line-up did not detract from recent defensive solidity and was delighted for everybody connected with the Club that the Gills managed to hang on for such a crucial victory.
“I’m very pleased for everybody connected with the football club: the players, the Chairman, the staff everybody. It’s a massive win for us today.
“The performance from the players today was magnificent – they gave everything and they thoroughly deserved the result.
“First half, we could have been three or four up. Some of the football we played in that first half was very, very good and we created chances.
“We knew that they [Peterborough] were going to come out and have a go in the second half but we defended so well and managed to hang on for the three points.”
Lovell paid tribute to the entire squad of players in achieving a super collective result after putting in a huge effort to claim the win.
“The subs that went on, the boys on the bench that didn’t go on – it’s a team effort and they’re all in it together.
“It’s not a personal thing, it’s a whole effort from everybody. Everybody needs to be working and doing the things that are asked of them, and today they did it. If they continue that we’ll get more points.
“There’s more to come from them. We won one game, that’s all we’ve done – we’ve got a big game Tuesday night against Wigan and they don’t come any harder than that.”
Lovell also commented on the change in system that he implemented with the Gills looking to get on the front foot with the pace of Parker and List, and take the game to the Posh.
“If you’re in the game and you’ve got a chance of winning the game, then obviously it’s better than going out to just not lose the game.
“I thought we would play an attacking formation but within that formation we needed to have a defensive structure. Our full backs did a great job taking care of their wide people and our midfielders helped out our full backs.
“We needed to change something. We needed legs in the team and to be a bit more direct. We can push on from here now – the Club can push forward – and hopefully in three weeks’ time we will be in a much more positive position in the league.”