Gareth Ainsworth hails win as big step in rebuilding Gillingham identity

Gareth Ainsworth says he is loving life at Gillingham, heaping praise on the ownership, players and fans following the 1-0 win over Walsall.

Bradley Dack’s goal just before the hour proved to be the match winner in a tight League Two affair at Priestfield.

That extended the club’s unbeaten run to 14 games in all competitions, and 11 under Ainsworth, who took the Gills job in March.

After the game he applauded the efforts of all involved as he looks to build an identity at the Kent club.

“I am proud of a group of boys in there that have given everything today on a hot day,” he said.

“We didn’t really hurt them too much in the first half.

“I made a change at half-time. I thought that the ball needed to stick up top a little bit more.

“There were some solid performances and real energy.

“They gave me everything. They deserve all of the credit. They have got the win.

“Not just the 11 that started and not the 11 that finished, the injured boys behind the bench.

“You felt it today. That’s the identity that I want to bring back here.

“Brad and Shannon (Galinson, the owners) have been great. We decided to invest in the infrastructure and the changing rooms.

“(Managing director) Joe Comper was instrumental in helping with that.

“This identity thing is not just a rumour. It’s something that I really want now.

“To be a Gillingham player and to play for Gillingham has got to mean something.

“That’s what we’re trying to build. “

Walsall boss Mat Sadler was left disappointed, feeling that neither side deserved maximum points.

“I don’t think that either team did enough to win the game,” he said.

“I think that the heat played a big part in that, and the pitch got very sticky.

“For them, they get a very scrappy goal, which is frustrating from our point of view.

“For me, there wasn’t much in the game at all.

“Both teams cancelled each other out, and it was the type of goal that wins a game like this. That’s frustrating.

“I think that it was a draw game. I don’t think that there was anything in it at all, which is disappointing.

“We have to move on and we have to pick ourselves up very quickly, because the next game comes very quickly.

“We have to learn to come away to places like this and pick up points and be on the other side of that for ourselves, and take those chances when they come our way.”