Euan Williams’ dash north by train ended in a big moment for the Gillingham midfielder.
Williams wasn’t expected to play a part this weekend, left at home as the team travelled north on Friday, ahead of their League 2 game at Harrogate.
But an injury to Ethan Coleman meant he was unable to play, and so Williams was sent for – and it turned out to be a good weekend for the 23-year-old, after finally making his first appearances of the season in the 3-0 win.
Boss Gareth Ainsworth said: “Euan’s been a real patient one because he had a shoulder injury at the start of the season, came back, [had a] tight hamstring, and that kept him out for a good few weeks, and then he’s just been waiting for his turn.
“I actually pulled him aside [before the weekend] and I said, ‘Look, I can’t change this. This is going well’. I said it might be an injury (which gives him a chance in the team) and we had an injury on the day before. It’s amazing how football works.
“Euan did well when he came on, and there’s more to come from him.”
Williams made his way north after the Gills team had earlier been stuck in the problems at the Dartford Crossing on Friday. Fans also had to endure delays as tunnel repairs continued on Saturday morning.
Ainsworth said: “We got Euan Williams to catch a train [on Friday] night and said, ‘Get up here’. There was no way he was driving after the tunnel (problems).
“He got the train up, and I’m glad he did because he played a part in the end there.”
Williams picked up a shoulder injury at the start of pre-season and he hasn’t managed to feature since. He came on at Harrogate as a replacement for Bradley Dack in the 82nd minute, just before Sam Vokes added a third goal to seal the win.
Ainsworth will be hoping the training-ground knock for Coleman isn’t anything to worry about.
“He got a whack,” explained the Gills boss, who now also has Jonny Smith out with an injury.
“We had to train on the astroturf [on Friday] because the [training] ground’s under water.
“Everyone has seen how the rain has been coming down lately in the southeast.
“It’s a minor knock, but it’s still a knock big enough to keep him out. Ethan is a solid campaigner for me and as soon as he’s back, he’ll be part of it again.”
