Manager Gareth Ainsworth said he felt total pride after watching Gillingham sweep aside early League 2 pace-setters Chesterfield at Priestfield.
Chesterfield had won their opening three games of the season but were left stunned as Ainsworth’s men won the game 4-1.
Report: Gillingham 4 Chesterfield 1
“Total, total pride and a real enjoyment of what I’m seeing and how I’m seeing this squad develop. It’s fabulous,” said Ainsworth, as he reacted to the win.
“I thought, ‘Have they got this?’ They’re showing me they have.
“The depth that some of those boys went to, to get that result, was phenomenal.
“There were some unsung heroes, there were some sung heroes. It was a really, really nice performance against a really strong Chesterfield side who are going to be there at the end of the season, without a shadow of a doubt.
“They’re a quality side, so that makes it an even better win.
“I think we were solid. It wasn’t lucky, it wasn’t anything but a quality home performance and I was really, really proud of that. “
The Gills had gone 2-0 up with Armani Little scoring both goals from the penalty spot.
Josh Andrews was adjudged to have been fouled by keeper Zach Hemming for the first penalty.
“The first penalty probably wasn’t a penalty,” admitted the Gills boss.
“I think it’s harsh on Chesterfield, but it was harsh on us on Saturday when that goal went in at Tranmere (from an offside position), so they sort of even themselves out.
“The other three goals were definitely legit and well taken.”
Chesterfield got a goal back through Armando Dobra after Little’s double which could have been a turning point.
With only 53 minutes played, Chesterfield had plenty of time to stage a fightback, but Ainsworth’s men quickly replied with a third through debutant Lenni Cirino.
They wrapped it up in stoppage-time when Marcus Wyllie bagged his first goal in the Football League.
“At 2-1, teams capitulate,” Ainsworth said. “Teams think, ‘Oh wow, this is Chesterfield, top of the league, and they’ve scored one, but to show the resilience and the strength to come back.
“The (Gillingham players) went, ‘You know what, we’re not accepting this. We’re not accepting that you’re going to take control of the game. We’re going to come back and we’re going to take control again’.
“There were some magic moments, which was really nice.”
Cirino had come in to replace suspended Max Clark at left-back for his debut. Wyllie came off the bench to cap off a fine night with a goal of his own.
“The players deserve all the credit,” Ainsworth said, as he commented on their commitment.
“They have run for me. They have run for each other. They’ve run for this football club and those fans.
“The work rate they’re showing, they’re all good footballers. They’ve got ability. That work rate and that commitment and that togetherness, I’m really hoping the fans are seeing that now and feeling it.
“It’s a feeling. It’s not just a vision. It’s a feeling that you feel around the place.
“It’s a journey. I keep saying it. It’s not going to go perfect all the time, but it went well and I’m really pleased.
“I’m really, really proud of the boys. They deserve that result and all the plaudits should go to the boys because they’ve emptied not just the tank but 10 tanks.”
Ainsworth also had a word for the support, with the fans clearly enjoying the night.
It’s the first time the Gills had scored four since the opening game of the previous season.
“I think they were fantastic,” he said, before addressing them directly.
“Thank you fans. It felt like 10,000, not just under six. It was a really, really good turnout for a Tuesday night, when there was Champions League on tele and people are away from home on holidays and schools are out.
“Thank you for turning up and getting behind the boys, and I hope you enjoyed it.
“Hopefully everyone’s buying into what we’re trying to do here.”
