Gillingham striker Elliott Nevitt feels like the confidence has returned to his game after he hit a second in two outings in midweek.
Nevitt followed up a goal against Salford last Saturday with a well-taken effort against Chesterfield on Tuesday night. It’s now five goals for the Gills in 33 appearances. In what has been a disappointing season, he’s now determined to end it well.
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“I feel like I’m getting more confident,” said the 28-year-old, speaking after his goal against Chesterfield.
“I felt like at the beginning (of the season) the chances that I should have been scoring just weren’t going in, and the last two games, two chances have fallen for me, and they both went in. It’s just about being confident, and I can’t wait for the next game.
“I’m really happy to score. I felt like it was just a matter of time, and it’s about sticking with it and believing in myself. I always knew I was going to score goals, but I’m disappointed it took this long. I’m happy that they’ve finally come.”
Nevitt regularly scored for Crewe last season in the same team as Aaron Rowe. Both joined the Gills this season , but neither has been able to replicate that form. The pair looked a threat on Tuesday, particularly in the first half.
Rowe was back in the starting XI for the Gills, and he set up Nevitt for the goal.
“I’m really happy for us both,” Nevitt said.
“I spoke to him before the game. He knows what I want and I know what he can do on the pitch.
“I knew he was going to pick me out, so it was just about me taking the chance, and I did.
“They’re the goals that I like scoring, being in the box, and once it hit the net, I was really happy. It was another early goal in the game. I wanted to score another but it wasn’t meant to be.
“I like the (chances) where you don’t have to think, I think it’s just natural and it’s a good finish. I did do that last year a lot of times, so hopefully with the confidence I can do it to the end of the season and start early next year.
“It’s all about finishing the season strong and enjoying playing football again.
“We’re seven games unbeaten, which is good. We would have loved to have a few more wins in there, but it’s a big turn for us as a group, and I feel like the lads’ momentum is changing.
“It’s towards the end of the season now, so we need to finish strong and bring it into the next season.”
Nevitt could have nicked a late winner when he headed a ball across the face of the goal – an effort that came close to creeping in at the back post.
The striker admitted it wasn’t intentional, however.
He said: “I was actually trying to put it back across the goal because the angle was a bit too tight. The spin on the cross meant it nearly snuck it in at the far post, but I was actually putting it in for Joe (Gbode).”
Nevitt’s been enjoying partnering Gbode upfront and believes the former Gills youth player is going to be a big problem for defenders as time goes on.
He said: “Me and Joe love to score goals, and hopefully the goals can start coming for Joe. I’ll be buzzing.
“I like playing with Joe and I think he listens to me, and he had a go at a few of their players for having a go at him, which is good. He’s a big, strong boy, and once he becomes a man he’s going to be hard to stop. I’m happy he’s with me up there.”
