Gillingham’s teenage midfielder Harry Waldock made his league debut on Saturday and showed up some of those around him, according to the manager.
The 19-year-old was recalled from a spell on loan at Isthmian Premier side Cray Wanderers to start for the Gills on Saturday in their game at Cambridge United.
Gillingham were smashed 5-0 but Waldock did his best and manager Gareth Ainsworth admitted afterwards that some of those around him could have learned a thing or two from the league debutant.
“For a 19-year-old boy, he was very good,” said Ainsworth.
“I told him at the hotel [before the game] that he was starting. He was very happy and he was very confident, but it was some of the other players that didn’t seem so confident and got beat up.
“Harry won his battles, he was in there, he was winning tackles, winning headers. I didn’t see that from some of the other players, and that’s what worries me big time.
“Positive for the future, and a good performance from Harry Waldock.”
Ainsworth had handed Michael Luxton his first league appearance on the Tuesday before, as the Gills let in five goals against MK Dons.
The manager has said he may continue to look at the young players but does have some more senior players back fit.
Ainsworth said: “It’s tough for them to come in at the moment, but they’ll learn plenty.
“It’s great to have a look at them and what an opportunity Harry Waldock’s had.
“We brought him back off loan because we knew we were struggling with injuries, once Ethan [Coleman] went down on Tuesday, and Euan [Williams] again, there’s two more that got injured.
“It’s tough for us at the moment, but the opportunity came for Harry, and I thought he took it with both hands.
“[He’s a] cracking lad. I think he’s got a real chance in this game. Fair play to him, he shone, and it was a bright light in what was a poor performance.”
