Gillingham midfielder Josh Rees says weight is off his shoulders after scoring his first goal for the club in win at Burton Albion
Published: 00:00, 15 January 2019
Gillingham match-winner Josh Rees is hoping Saturday’s goal against Burton is just the beginning.
Rees celebrated his 91st-minute strike with the travelling fans at the Pirelli Stadium, savouring his best moment so far in a Gills shirt.
It was his first goal for the club following his summer move from Bromley and a weight off his shoulders.
“It was brilliant, a really good feeling,” said the 25-year-old, who moved to the Gills in the summer with a reputation for scoring goals from midfield.
“It’s been like a learning period over the last few months and I knew it would be like that, coming to a good team at a much higher level.
“I feel like I am getting better all the time and it is about getting the opportunity to show it.
“Getting my first goal is a massive weight off my shoulders because it is something I came here to do. I wanted to get some goals from midfield and I have now got that first one.
“I want to push on, not rest on my laurels, and try to get more.”
Rees scored 20 goals in the National League last season.
“Once you get that first goal you believe you can do it at any level,” he said.
“To get that goal and in those circumstances, it is even better, there is nothing like scoring a winner and any player will tell you that.
“It was a big three points that we needed and after that kind of game as well, under the cosh for a lot of it, it’s brilliant.”
Rees took his chance in front of goal after beating Elliott List to the ball.
He said: “I just had to get myself in there. Listy tried to shoot, he might claim otherwise, but I nicked it off him and any shot on target at that range and you have a chance.
“As soon as I hit it, I knew it was going in. It’s a great feeling.
“Time then came to a standstill; I looked at the linesman to see if there was any infringement, it went a bit quiet, but as soon as I saw there was no flag, you lose yourself in the moment.
“I celebrated with the away fans and it’s one of the best moments of my career so far.”
His winner came despite the Gills being up against it for most of the game against a quality Burton side.
Rees said: “Fair play to Burton, they are probably one of the best teams we’ve played this season. We were under the cosh for a lot of the game, we went 2-0 up and it was a sucker-punch to go 2-2.
“We had our backs against the wall for a lot of that second half but to get a late winner was a relief. We have plenty of spirit in the dressing room and like we have done many times this season, we proved it again.
“We showed it the week before against Cardiff. It’s brilliant, really good. It’s a big three points.
“Every point is massive, in the position we are in, the other important thing is building some consistency and we have shown this season we can beat anyone. We beat Portsmouth twice and have beaten Premier League opposition in Cardiff.
“We have to build on those results because there is so much talent and ability in our team.”
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Luke Cawdell