Manager Gareth Ainsworth wasn’t letting the scoreline get in the way of what he felt was a positive Gillingham performance at Ebbsfleet.
The Gills had enough chances to win Tuesday night’s game comfortably but couldn’t convert their numerous chances.
Report: Ebbsfleet United 2 Gillingham 1
Joe Gbode got Gillingham’s only goal on the night – with a well-struck finish – in a 2-1 defeat.
“I’m really happy,” Ainsworth said afterwards, despite the loss. “We’ve got to take our chances. We know that, we’re working on it.
“We know we’ve come to this club and everyone’s saying, ‘Oh, for the past so many years we haven’t had a goal scorer’. We will score goals.
“We’ve created so many chances. We hit the bar twice, we’ve had two open goals and missed them. We pressed really well. We have created lots of chances, lots of opportunities. I’m very impressed.
“We’re coming away with a defeat and I understand that but it’s pre-season.
“We mixed the teams up and I thought everyone was good. There were some standout performances.
“”I’m looking forward to Thursday (training), Friday (at Chatham) and then Dartford on Saturday and away we go!”
Joe Gbode got his first goal of pre-season on 78 minutes, bending his effort past the Fleet keeper to halve the deficit.
“Joe took his goal fantastically well,” said the manager.
“I was really pleased that he’s made an impact because he’s a good player for me and a very important one as well.”
The Gills head to Dartford on Saturday before facing Accrington Stanley away in their season opener the following week.
Ainsworth said: “Just some minor tweaks and we’re going to be ready for the season.
“As I say, it’s all about the league.
“Maybe we’re saving them all for the league and I’m hoping that’s the case because the boys deserved more out of the game.”
