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Gillingham 3 Fleetwood Town 0: Reaction from Gills boss Steve Lovell

20:10, 03 November 2018

updated: 10:16, 04 November 2018

Manager Steve Lovell praised the quality of Gillingham’s goals in their 3-0 win over Fleetwood on Saturday.

The Gills were ruthless in front of goal while the visitors twice hit the woodwork and missed a 90th-minute sitter at Priestfield.

“The main thing was backing up last week’s 4-0 win against Bradford,” said Lovell. “We started brightly, last week we sat off and today we started in their faces and got two really good goals.

Brandon Hanlan takes on the Fleetwood defence on Saturday. Picture: Ady Kerry
Brandon Hanlan takes on the Fleetwood defence on Saturday. Picture: Ady Kerry

“I’m pleased with our work-rate throughout the game. The first goal came from putting pressure on people and that’s what happened. Brandon (Hanlan) took his goal really well, he went round the keeper and slotted in so I’m really pleased for him. He deserved his goal.

“The second goal, DJ’s (Darren Oldaker) pass was spot-on, straight on to Tom’s (Eaves) chest and he took it really well.

“The third was a great goal, an excellent cross from Connor Ogilvie and Tom headed it in. We don’t get little tap-ins, I’d like to get more of them.

“It was an excellent performance, there are times you have to sit back during the 90 minutes and get the opposition on the counter attack and that’s what we did in the second half. The more the second half went on I felt we would create more chances and that’s what we did.”

Hanlan’s goal was only his third for the club since joining in the close season and Lovell is hoping it will give him more belief in a Gillingham shirt.

“All goalscorers when you’re not scoring it does affect your confidence,” added Lovell.

“That goal will lift him, he knows there’s more goals in him and he should be scoring more. It happened with Elliott (List).

“They are only young boys, they’ve got to learn very quickly in this profession and they will do.”

Gills players celebrate at the final whistle. Picture: Ady Kerry
Gills players celebrate at the final whistle. Picture: Ady Kerry

Leading scorer Tom Eaves took his tally for the campaign to 11 goals and is now the division’s top marksman.

When asked about Eaves, Lovell responded: “Apart from his goalscoring he brings so much more to us as a team - his hold-up play and battling qualities, and his work-rate defensively.

“He’s a great person to have in this team and the boys love him to death, not just because of the goals he scores but everything else he does. He’s great for us and he loves it here.”

Fleetwood get close to Gills in League 1 on Saturday. Picture: Ady Kerry
Fleetwood get close to Gills in League 1 on Saturday. Picture: Ady Kerry
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