Teenager Sullivan Booth provided the one bright spark on an otherwise forgettable afternoon for Gillingham on Saturday.
The Gills were beaten 6-2 at Barnet but 17-year-old academy product Booth marked his senior debut with a goal to briefly level the scores at 1-1, before the hosts ran riot to lead 5-1 by half-time.
Barnet added a sixth after the break, but Booth was involved again late on, setting up Josh Andrews for a consolation goal.
Gills boss Gareth Ainsworth was scathing about his side’s overall performance but singled out the youngster for special praise.
“There was one shining light, an absolute shining light in that performance and that’s Sulli Booth,” said Ainsworth.
“I’m so pleased I picked him. The only thing I’m gutted for is that he’s on the end of a 6-2 defeat because he doesn’t deserve it.
“But when a first-year academy player is up there with your best players on the pitch, what is going on? That’s my question.
“If that’s the best, it’s not good enough. I’ve got to make it better. I’ve got to find it better and that’s what I’ll do.”
Booth showed composure beyond his years to take his goal, arriving in the right place at the right time, and later delivered an inviting cross into the box which led to Andrews’ late strike.
“That was a poor [team performance] but well done, kid,” added Ainsworth. “He’s got a future, a big future, and he took his goal brilliantly.
“Right place, right time, great ball across the face of goal and then he’s got the assist for Josh Andrews. He put it in a dangerous area.
“It’s not so difficult, this game, and a first-year academy player has stepped up and done really well. I’m really pleased for him.”
Booth’s proud father, former Maidstone player Paul Booth, was in attendance to witness the milestone moment.
“His dad was here, so I saw Boothy,” said Ainsworth. “I know he’s going to be a winner because of his dad. It was great to see him.”
And despite the heavy defeat, it was a day the young forward will never forget, scoring his first professional goal in front of a large travelling support.
“For Sulli Booth to score his first professional goal in front of 1,000 travelling Gillingham fans and celebrate with them, that’s a special moment for him,” said Ainsworth.
At the end of the game, he was warmly applauded by the fans, while his senior team-mates faced the wrath of those frustrated supporters who had made the trip.
He’s the latest academy player to get a chance in the first team. Louie Dayal recently came off the bench for a game and Michael Luxton has also made his Football League debut. Cruz Beszant made an EFL appearance earlier this season.
Young pro Harry Waldock has also been involved recently, with seven appearances, having made his league debut last month.
