Steve Evans pleased with his players after hard fought win over Swindon at ME7.
Gills boss Steve Evans said his players “found a way to win” following Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Swindon at MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
The visitors started the brighter of the two teams and could have taken the lead inside the first few minutes, but Gills punished John Sheridan’s men for missed opportunities when Vadaine Oliver produced an excellent finish just after the quarter hour mark to put the hosts in front.
Trae Coyle came off the bench in the second half to net a second with ten minutes to play, ensuring Gillingham achieved their third consecutive league win.
Speaking after the game, the Gills boss said: “I was really concerned at the start of the game; we felt a bit like a European side having played at Bristol on Wednesday, we got back at three o’clock in the morning on Thursday. The boys are tired, you are trying to recover them and we had already made the decision that the performance was that emphatic that we go with the same team.
“With the benefit of hindsight that might be a different decision going forward. I was concerned with it being early kick-off, and it showed because we were lacklustre for the first 15-17 minutes. We get a goal against the run of play; we don’t kid ourselves, but what a finish it is from Vadaine.
“Then we get back in the game and I think it’s a bit of a level one thereafter. In the second half they have a bit of the ball; they are a passing side who will keep possession. Our thought process was to remain solid, play on the counter attack and get a second goal and, when it fell to Trae, I had no doubt he would put us 2-0 ahead.
“We have dominated teams, not taken our chances and lost, but today we took our chances.
“It’s a good win. Today we found a way to win in fairness to Swindon.”
Gills play Doncaster at the Keepmoat next weekend, but face a midweek EFL Trophy tie against Cambridge first. The Gills manager admitted several changes will be made.
He added: “We will regroup; make 10 or 11 changes for Tuesday and then get ready to face Doncaster.
“We are limited; we have, for us, three or four key players who are missing. Jordan Graham, Jacob Mellis, Stuart O’Keefe. We only have a small squad but we haven’t got average players; we have good players.”