Young Gillingham defenders Jack Evans and Connor Essam impress boss Andy Hessenthaler
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Connor Essam goes up for a header against
Port Vale
by Luke Cawdell
Teenage defenders Connor Essam and Jack Evans have proved
they can handle League 2 football, according to Gillingham manager
Andy Hessenthaler.
The pair made their full debuts for Gillingham after slotting
into Hessenthaler’s new-look defence.
The Gills boss named a whole new back four against Port Vale as
he tried to arrest the club’s alarming recent defensive record, and
the gamble was nearly rewarded.
"It deserved to pay off," said Hessenthaler. "The boys deserved
a result. We had the future of the club out there a bit with some
of the younger ones.
"We have been asking ourselves are they ready? I think they
proved that they are ready and I thought they were terrific, along
with everyone else.
"We gave them their deals to become pros and they are ready. I
am pleased about that because they have been chomping at the bit to
get an opportunity. They have proved they can handle it."
Essam’s only previous appearance came as a substitute in last
week’s defeat against Southend. The 19-year-old put in a
performance on Saturday that delighted the Gills boss.
"He was outstanding," said Hessenthaler. "He is going to make a
few mistakes, because he is young. They (Vale) came at us but we
threw our bodies on the line and as much as I am devastated (by the
result) there are lots of positives. If we can keep digging in and
doing that then we will turn it (around)."
Monday, February 20 2012
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