Gillingham striker Elliott Nevitt ended his goal drought in style on Saturday, scoring within 90 seconds against Salford City—and manager Gareth Ainsworth believes it’s just the beginning of a goalscoring resurgence.
The 28-year-old forward arrived at Priestfield with high expectations after netting 18 times for Crewe Alexandra last season, helping fire them into the League Two play-offs. But his return of just four goals in 32 appearances this term has left Gills fans waiting for that same prolific touch to surface.
A New Era for Nevitt?
It’s been a turbulent season for Gillingham, with three different managers in charge and shifting tactical approaches unsettling the squad. Ainsworth, who recently took the reins, is eager to restore stability and believes a consistent environment will bring the best out of players like Nevitt.
“I’m expecting Elliott to be prolific, like he always is at other clubs, and that’ll take time. But when he hits it, he’ll hit it well. He’s a good lad. A great work rate and ethic… He’s a winner and I want winners in my team.”
Nevitt’s goal at Salford—an early, deflected finish after a piece of individual brilliance—was the product of hard work, according to Ainsworth. The manager revealed he had spoken with the striker about goals over breakfast on matchday, urging him to rediscover his scoring instincts.
Despite the strike taking a fortunate touch to beat the keeper at the near post, it marked a significant personal moment for Nevitt—and possibly a spark for better things to come.
Ainsworth’s focus now is on maximising the little time he has had with the players so far. The former Wycombe boss has only overseen two full training sessions in nine days due to a congested match calendar, but he is already laying the groundwork for a more settled future.
With a full pre-season ahead, Ainsworth is confident that both Nevitt and the rest of the squad can be transformed under a more structured and consistent regime.
Writer’s view
Nevitt’s early goal may seem minor in the wider context of the season, but for a striker lacking confidence, it could prove monumental. Ainsworth’s belief in creating a stable and focused environment might be exactly what the forward needs to flourish again. If Nevitt can find his scoring rhythm, Gillingham’s hopes for a far more successful campaign next season may start to look a lot more realistic.
