Gareth Ainsworth was delighted for everybody associated with the Football Club as Gillingham got back to winning ways by beating Bristol Rovers 1-0 at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Max Clark scored the only goal of the game with a stunning half-volley in the second-half. The left-back had missed a penalty earlier in the game, but showed great composure to rifle his shot into the far top corner. Ainsworth credited the mentality, work rate and effort that every player showed throughout the game to ensure they took all three points.
The Gills boss discussed the strong squad depth, with Garath McCleary and Jonny Smith returning to the team, as well as having Bradley Dack, Aaron Rowe and Shad Ogie to bring on late into the fixture. He also looked ahead to Tuesday night, with his former club Wycombe Wanderers visiting the MEMS Priestfield Stadium in the Vertu Trophy.
The victory being special to everybody involved...
I'm really, really proud. I had an emotional moment in the gantry there, because being back is a big thing for me. Those boys in the dugout, Dobbo [Richard Dobson] and all the crew and staff, that's for them that win, because they have stepped up when I have not been there, and they have had it rough. They have had decisions go against them and some performances that we should have won, and that one today, I think they deserved it.
I am so glad that they experienced that in front of the fans, who were immense. I had a really nice moment with them, where they all started waving to me at one stage. I think that they picked me out, and that's amazing. This Football Club is truly, truly special. I am really proud of the boys today, because they have given absolutely everything.
That's for Dobbo, the staff, and all of those fans who have travelled. You have stuck with us and have deserved it. They have stepped up when needed to, fair play to them.
On the win...
You might look at the shots against or the crosses and entries into our box and look at how many Bristol Rovers had and how many we had, and think, how did Gillingham win that game? I will tell you how we won that game: the running, the tackling, the sheer defiance of blocks and headers, and a willingness to be together, like I needed them today. Then the fabulous save from Jake Turner at the end, which epitomised everything. I am so, so proud of these boys. They never stopped running.
We changed the formation in the second half to soak it up a little bit, as I thought that it was the right thing to do. I was constantly on the phone with Pete [Gill], who was relaying messages to Dobbo [Richard Dobson], and that's very hard. We need to stick our penalties in, and that makes things easier, but Max [Clark] has made up for it with a stunning volley. I am really proud today. I am really pleased, as Darrell Clarke is a good manager. This is a tough place to come, and we have taken the points. It couldn't have gone better.
The squad depth with players returning from injury...
We have a really good squad. Having the likes of Garath [McCleary] and Jonny [Smith] back, and I am putting on players like Bradley Dack, who is a hell of a player. I am putting him on to see games out, which is fantastic, with Garath and Aaron Rowe. I said to the boys that our squad depth is something special as well, as teams probably scramble for substitutes. I didn't put Sam Vokes on today, and Jonny Smith. That is something that people will look at and think, 'Wow, they would walk into most teams in this league.'
Facing Wycombe Wanderers in the Vertu Trophy on Tuesday...
It's a special club, and I am really hoping that we can progress in the tournament. I have got players like Travis Akomeah, Lenni Cirino and Marcus Wyllie that didn't travel today - as well as Armani [Little], Jonny Williams and Conor Masterson. There is Euan Williams, who has been out for so long that he is going to be like a new signing. These are players that I want to get games and minutes into. I want to see them coming through and joining what is a fantastic squad. We want to try to progress in this tournament.
It will be really special for me to be against Wycombe. It always will be. You cannot take that away from me. I have never been back to Adams Park yet, but to have them at our place, and I know that it is the trophy which is not as well supported as league and cup games, but I am still going to enjoy that one.
