Scoring in front of a packed Rainham End at Priestfield was as good as Gillingham striker Marcus Wyllie hoped it would be.
Wyllie netted his first league goal for the Gills in their 4-1 win over Chesterfield, converting Nelson Khumbeni’s low cross in injury-time to cap a fine night for the side.
“It was a long time coming,” admitted the 26-year-old striker.
“I’ve waited a long time for that one and it was definitely worth it.
“Scoring in front of that Rainham End was really good.
“I was hoping I was going to get my first (league) goal in that Rainham End, just to hear that roar, and it lived up to the expectation.
“The fans were brilliant and they really helped push us through.”
Wyllie’s only other goal came last season in a 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace under-21s in the EFL Trophy. The home end wasn’t open that night.
He was mobbed by his team-mates after scoring the fourth goal on Tuesday night and praised his Khumbeni for the assist, saying: “It was really good for Nelson to win the ball back and I was hoping he wasn’t going to play the ball first time because I was offside. Luckily he noticed. I was able to pull myself back and he put a great ball in.
“It was a bit of relief to be honest because it had been so long. I didn’t expect to wait this long to get that first league goal but I can’t really explain the feeling. I’m just so happy.”
Wyllie came from non-league Enfield Town last summer after helping them to promotion with a hatful of goals.
He was the 2023/24 Isthmian Premier Division golden boot winner with 30 goals.
“Scoring a goal in the league is definitely different and I really, really enjoyed it,” he said.
The ride home wasn’t bad either. He’d travelled in with Lenni Cirino, who made his debut at left-back in the same game and scored the third goal.
Wyllie said: “It was a great debut from him and I’m really happy for him to score as well, but I waited a long time for that one, so I’m also very happy.
“He’s been working hard and he had an opportunity and he’s done really well.
“I felt everyone played really well, emptied the tank, which is what the gaffer always wants to see and I felt they’d done that.
“The whole team just tried to deal with whatever was in front of them and as we saw everyone worked really hard.
“Every single player out there will fight for each other, and I think that’s exactly what we did against a really good side. It’s not easy, but we just look towards the next game now and carry on showing that fight.”
Manager Ainsworth has continued to put his faith in the striker, bringing him off the bench on Tuesday ahead of Joe Gbode, who was unused.
“I believe in that boy,” said the Gills boss.
“He gives me everything and that’s all I need. The goal’s an extra..
“People are saying ‘He’s a centre-forward, he should score’. He came on and he did a job for the team and got his goal and I think you saw the celebrations at the end around Marcus. The lads love him to bits.
“He said to me ‘Thanks for believing in me’. I said, ‘It’s you. It’s not me. You’re doing this’. It’s easy to do it when you work like he does.”
Wyllie appreciated that support, saying: “That belief he gives really pushes me to keep being better. Hopefully I can kick on and help now.”
Gbode, meanwhile, issued an apology post-match after looking less than happy at the final whistle.
He’s been linked with a transfer to Luton Town and got the equaliser last weekend at Tranmere, but had to sit this one out.
He wrote on X: “Apologies for my attitude at the end of the game, it’s not a reflection of me as an individual, and many of the boys can vouch for this.
“Well done to the boys, great performance and result UTG!!”
