Gillingham haven’t scored many this season – but Scott Malone’s winner against Sutton United has been voted the best in League 2 for December.
Left-back Malone clinched the Sky Bet EFL goal-of-the-month award with his 72nd-minute volley at Priestfield on December 29 which clinched the points for the Gills in a 1-0 win.
Less than a week later Malone scored again to seal a 1-0 win at Colchester to cap a great end to the year for the defender.
The EFL panel, critiquing his goal, said: “The technical difficulty involved in moving towards the ball as it looped up off a Sutton head and then controlling his thigh-high volley was matched by the raw power Malone generated.”
Malone said: “Firstly, thank you to everyone who voted for the goal. It is certainly one of the best I have scored and for it to be the winner made it more special.
“I won’t get bored watching it back!”
His effort ended a run of three games without a goal for the Gills, who are still the League 2 lowest scorers.
Judge and Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman said: “First-time volleys are always special and Scott Malone’s had everything.
“He knew he needed to take it early to beat the on-rushing defenders, but still managed to control the ball and generate the power required to beat the keeper, it was a brilliant strike.
“When the ball hangs in the air like that and you’re being closed down, it’s very easy to panic and rush your attempt but Malone’s concentration never wavered, and he executed his volley perfectly.”
Commenting after his recent win double, Malone said: “There is nothing better than scoring. I have scored a fair few in my career but it is always nice. Am I meant to score goals? Probably at wing-back, not at left-back, but it is always nice to hit the net.
“I played wing-back at Millwall for three years and the emphasis is on you to attack more, you’re the only one out wide, you have to come up with goals and assists.”
Malone beat off competition from Grimsby Town’s Abo Eisa, Newport County’s Lewis Payne and Notts County’s Macaulay Langstaff.
