It was “the stuff of dreams” for young defender Lenni Cirino as he lit up Priestfield with a goal on his Gillingham debut.
Manager Gareth Ainsworth reminded fans that the young left-back remains a work in progress but was buzzing to see the 22-year-old get a crucial goal in the 4-1 win over Chesterfield.
The Gills conceded a goal after leading through two Armani Little penalties before Cirino – making his debut after replacing suspended Max Clark – pounced on a long ball forward from keeper Glenn Morris, held off a couple of defenders and smashed in a goal that any striker would be proud of.
Ainsworth plucked the youngster from nowhere this summer after he’d spent a year at non-league Clitheroe, following his Blackburn Rovers exit.
“There’s some stuff in there he needs to learn – and believe me, I’ll be going through that with him – but what a moment for him,” beamed the Gills boss.
“He’s not known for his strength but he’s holding off two defenders and slams it in the goal!
“There’s an electric pace in him at times. There’s a lot of work to go. It’s going to be a learning process for him this season but to end up in that position, running towards the Rainham End on your league debut with the keeper to beat and slamming it in the goal like he did – it’s the stuff of dreams, isn’t it?!
“He’s not going to forget that. That was a special moment for Lenni.
“You saw how much it meant to him and I think the adrenaline burst his legs.”
Cirino had to come off with what looked like cramp, shortly after his goal.
It was a memorable night for the young defender and Ainsworth got a buzz too after handing him his debut.
The Gills boss said: “It doesn’t always work, but we’ve talked about your Alfie Mawsons, your Eberechi Ezes, Aaron Pierre, and people like that that over the years we’ve given debuts to. People have said, ‘Oh, I’m not sure’, and it works.
“They have to prove it in training, and there’s definitely still plenty of work to go with Lenni, but that’s a fantastic debut for him.
Cirino left Blackburn in the summer of 2024 without playing a senior game for them, dropping to non-league.
“I know Lenni from Blackburn. I’m from Blackburn,” said the Gills boss, who took him in on trial this summer before offering him a short-term professional deal.
“He’s bought into the place, coming down from Blackburn and believe me, I know, it’s a very villagey place with not much going on up there sometimes, so to come down to Gillingham is quite a life-changer, and he’s had to be patient.
“He’s definitely a work in progress and that goal will certainly make him feel a little bit more confident in the dressing room.
“He’s suffered with injuries at Blackburn. He’s probably been held on too long for his career at Blackburn to develop.
“He should have played 50 first team games by now, but he hasn’t. What a way to cap your debut.”
