Skipper praises performance at Accrington.
“This result was a stamp of authority,” declared Gills captain and match-winning midfielder Kyle Dempsey who hailed his teammates’ intense 90 minute display in their impressive Sky Bet League One victory over high-flying Accrington Stanley.
Dempsey let rip with a devastating thunderbolt from outside the penalty area which was enough to secure a 1-0 win at the Wham Stadium and prove the perfect tonic after a disappointing run of results.
Dempsey said after the game: “We needed that win. We were disappointed with the form we have been in where we have just showed up in spells. Today we turned up for 90 minutes. It was an all-round solid performance from everyone.
“This was a big win and we needed it for the morale. We have to use this as a benchmark now. I think the intensity from the first whistle to the end, if we play with that, then we will do really well.
“I’m always confident on the edge of the box that if the ball falls to me and I’ve got a bit of space I can put the ball in the back of the net. Hopefully I’ll keep finding myself if those positions and I’ll keep scoring goals.”
Dempsey heaped further praise on Gillingham’s two recent signings Callum Slattery, on loan from Southampton, and the returning Olly Lee from Hearts, who were both called into action within 48 hours of signing for the Club. Both slipped seamlessly into the team and proved instrumental in the clinical victory.
Dempsey said: “I thought they were both quality. Me and Slatts built a relationship early doors. His aggression, his awareness on the pitch and ability to get the ball down and get us ticking was excellent.
“Obviously we all know what Olly can do. He has awareness and brings people into play. I thought both of them were outstanding.
“In the first half we controlled the game, we got in their half and camped them in. Our defence were absolutely solid and when we have that platform at the back it allows us to do our stuff further up the field. It was a really good performance.”
Attention now shifts to Tuesday night when Gillingham travel to LNER Stadium to take on table-topping Lincoln. Dempsey, however, is confident that their recent triumph will give them the belief that they can once again upset the form book.
The Gills captain said: “Lincoln City are one of the most in-form teams in the league and they are right up there at the top but you can’t fear anyone, there is no point. You have to go into every game wanting to win and feeling like you can. That has to be our mindset going forward.”