Neil Harris said his team looked structured and organised as Gills returned to the top of the table following a 2-1 win over Morecambe.
Gillingham boss Neil Harris was delighted with the Football his side played during the first half of their 2-1 win against Morecambe at the Priestfield Stadium on Saturday, praising the organisation and structure in the process to clinch all three points.
George Lapslie gave Gillingham an early lead before Michael Mellon quickly equalised for The Shrimps. Connor Mahoney scored a fantastic goal from just inside the penalty area, as his fine footwork allowed him to bend a shot into the top corner.
Harris was impressed with the performance of Macauley Bonne, who led the line on his own for Gillingham, helping create opportunities for his teammates.
The Gills manager is glad his side stamped their authority with three successive wins at ME7, continuing their impressive start to the 2023/24 campaign.
The overall performance...
“The first half was the best half of football since I have been at the Football Club. We absolutely dominated the 45 minutes, and we should have been four or five up with the chances we created and the positions that we got into.
“Ultimately, we did not get three, four or five because we conceded a really sloppy goal. I am really happy, but I will always say that there is stuff to work on. We have had a clean-sheet mentality, but today, it was a really poor goal to give away. There is certainly some work in progress with two young centre-halves.”
[On the second half]- “We looked like a team that was professional, organised and structured, but did not go after the throat of the opponent in the second half.”
The opening goal...
“We only set them up, and then it is down to the players to deliver that, and they did, so credit to the players.
“The delivery was excellent, and the movement was good. George [Lapslie] is in the right position, as George does 10 or 12 times a season when fit.”
Macauley Bonne’s performance...
“We were really disappointed with Macauley Bonne’s disallowed goal. He deserved a goal today. I thought Macauley was excellent leading the line and deserved a goal. If he keeps playing like that, they will not be far behind. We have got to make sure that we are creating for him.
“Today, he put in a strong performance. An unselfish performance that I thought deserved a goal.”
Bouncing back with three successive home wins...
“When I was asked about the disappointing week (losing to Colchester and Grimsby), I politely pointed out that we had played four away games in the league out of six and that we wanted to get back to Priestfield and stamp our authority. We have, and that is how to do it.
“Leyton Orient in the EFL Trophy, as we know, are a very good side. We saw that last year when they won the league by a mile. Harrogate and Morecambe- who might not be teams that are fancied to win, but what I have seen in those two games is that we have been much better than them and deserved to win those games.”