Callum Reilly never doubted his ability to score goals – but now he’s getting the opportunities he had always hoped for.

Under Gillingham boss Steve Lovell, Reilly has started finding the net more frequently, netting five league goals so far this season, including two from the penalty spot.

“It has been a few years coming,” said the 25-year-old, who has scored more this season than his total tally from the last six years as a professional.

“Maybe it’s a confidence thing after getting those first few goals,” he added. “I feel confident when I do finishing in training and I always felt like I could do it.

“Under this manager, I feel like I have had the opportunity to get more chances and hopefully now I can continue to get a few more, which would be brilliant.

“That would help the team out because we need to help Eavesy (Tom Eaves) and to take the toll off him.

“Listy (Elliott List) has a few now and if I can continue then brilliant, that would be good for the team.

“I like to get forward as much as I can. It is something I have always felt was there and something I always thought I could do.

“I know the manager thought I had that in me, I have always been confident under this manager that I could get into the positions and get them.”

Reilly’s season total includes two penalties from two attempts, taking his opportunity with leading scorer and regular taker Eaves out of the side.

Reilly’s last effort was on Saturday, scoring against his former club and in Nigel Clough a manager who released him when Burton were in the Championship.

But for Reilly, who hails from the Midlands, it was the opportunity to score in front of his family that meant the most to him.

He said: “It was a game close to home and I had more family watching with people that don’t get to see me very much. It was special seeing everyone after the game and for them to get to see me score made it extra special.”

His weekend goal came from the penalty spot but Reilly admits he’s unsure if he would take them if Eaves is playing.

He said: “Eavesy is our top scorer at the end of the day and if he feels confident wanting the penalty then I don’t think there will be too many people telling him to get off it.

“He has been fantastic for us this year and we do miss him when he is not playing. I don’t think it’s an argument I would win.

“I have been pretty lucky. I have been in the right place at the right time to take the pens when Eavesy has not been there. So far so good, they have gone in.

“It was a good time to score (on Saturday) before half-time against a former club. It is always a bit of a different one as well.

“I took the one against Portsmouth and I felt confident that I would stick it away and fortunately I did, that was vital and it was a massive win we got. Because I had scored the first one I was confident of sticking the next one away.”

Read more from Callum in this week's Medway Messenger as he reflects on his first ever red card and coming up against a former team-mate this Saturday