Striker delighted to see Gills secure first league win of the season at home.
Gills striker Vadaine Oliver says he was delighted to score the winner against Morecambe on Saturday to help secure the club’s first victory of the league season.
Big V composed himself to convert a late second half penalty, his first of the campaign, as Steve Evans’ side ran out 2-1 winners against Morecambe.
It was a special moment for the striker as he scored his first competitive goal in front of the Gills fans.
After the game he said: “I was confident, and I wanted to score in front of them. Like I said last year, I got a lot of goals, but it was empty. To get a goal in front of those guys at this end [the Rainham End] meant a lot more.
“The win is massive for us, it was a good performance all over the pitch and it was a game that we were confident of getting a win in, and we needed that to get off the mark, especially at home where the fans make it so much harder for the opposition, so it was really good to get the win in front of them."
Oliver was full of praise for the Gillingham fans, who he believes played a crucial part during the second half as they pushed the team on.
“With the crowd, they make it so much harder for the opposition, especially when they get going.
“It was a really good atmosphere, especially in that second half when we started to get on top. They really helped us.”
Following his goal, Oliver spoke of his desire to be the out and out penalty taker for the side this season:
“I said earlier on in the season that the penalties are mine," he added. "I didn’t get an opportunity to last season because Jordan Graham was the taker and John Akinde scored a couple whilst I was out injured, so I wasn’t on the list, but this year I wanted to make sure I was.”
Mustapha Carayol scored his first Gillingham goal against the Shrimps, and it was a thunderbolt.
The Gambian winger smashed home a shot from 30 yards in the opening minutes, and it was a strike that left V in awe.
“He’s mentioned that he’s got that in the locker, and I was yet to see it. He then produced it, and it was an unbelievable strike. If it doesn’t get the goal of the day, it must be a worldie to top that because it was unbelievable.”
It was another game in which the Gills had to make do with limited numbers with the injuries still piled up. Oliver knows that the team spirit is high, and that will continue to help them through this tough stretch.
“All we can do is dig in. We’ve got a lot of fight in the dressing room, and everyone just wants to dig in for one another. I think that stands us in good stead.”
Gills are back in action midweek against Cheltenham Town in the Carabao Cup second round.
They are one game away from potentially playing a side competing in Europe, which Oliver knows will be a huge incentive for the squad.
“The Gaffer said it before the other game, and you don’t know who you can get. We’ve got Cheltenham, and they will be a good opposition.
“It’s there for us, and a good result against them could allow us to get one of the Prem boys.”