Gillingham will head to Colchester for their Boxing Day fixture and striker Elliott Nevitt has fond memories of his last trip there.
Nevitt scored a stoppage-time equaliser at Colchester at the back end of last season. A 1-1 draw sealed a play-off spot for his old team Crewe and secured the home side’s status in League 2 after their relegation battle.
It was Nevitt’s 18th and final goal of a successful season for Crewe which ended in a play-off final defeat to Crawley.
Recalling that goal, back in April, Nevitt said: “We needed the point to get into the play-offs.
“It was crazy because I didn’t know that Barrow got beat, so we would have got (into the play-offs) anyway, but in my mind and the lads on the pitch, we didn’t know. We were pushing for that goal and when I got it, everyone was celebrating but I was thinking, ‘the staff don’t look like they’re celebrating that much!’ They knew we’d already got in (the play-offs).
“There was something like 10 minutes added on and they needed a point to stay up. We needed a point and we just kept the ball. It was the maddest end to the game that I’ve seen.
“I enjoyed playing there so hopefully I can do it again. I wouldn’t mind a goal!”
Nevitt has been unable to replicate his scoring form from last season, netting twice for the Gills so far. He had nine under his belt for Crewe before last Christmas.
An injury at the start of the season didn’t help and he picked up another after a run of games and a winner at Notts County.
Now back in the side and having started the last five, he’s feeling confident, particularly after having a hand in both goals against Cheltenham Town last Friday.
He said: “I just feel like I’m getting sharper and I’m getting more used to the lads as well.
“I’ve been stop, start, stop, start. Playing with the lads and them knowing what I need and what they do helps a lot.
“I feel like we’re in a good place.
“I haven’t been scoring but the minimum I’ll give is 100%. Every time I go on that pitch, I give my all and I think the fans will see that.
“I’ve got and try and help the team as much as I can. Hopefully goals will come. For a striker, you like scoring goals, it’s the best feeling in the world but if you’re not, then you’ve got to be doing something else.
“I feel like I’ve been trying to help, but hopefully the goals will come as well.
“It is frustrating. There’s no better feeling than scoring a goal. I’ve just got to keep doing my job and I think goals will come.
“You don’t over-think it though because that’s worse. I’ve just got to believe in myself and I always will.”
