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Gillingham midfielder Josh Rees looking to break his duck at Priestfield after two goals on the road

Josh Rees has found his scoring touch and now he’s targeting a first goal on home soil.

Rees netted his first goal for Gillingham with a stoppage-time winner a fortnight ago at Burton and he scored again in the FA Cup defeat at Swansea on Saturday.

Midfielder Rees said: “I am delighted with two goals in three but I would like a goal at home now, to show the home fans, that is the main aim now.

Josh Rees challenges Swansea's Leroy Fer during Saturday's FA Cup tie Picture: Ady Kerry
Josh Rees challenges Swansea's Leroy Fer during Saturday's FA Cup tie Picture: Ady Kerry

“I had a chance last weekend against Walsall which I probably should have put away. You always want to score that home goal.

“I have watched Tom Eaves score a few in front of the Rainham End and they make some noise.

“They sometimes drag us through games and you want to repay that support with a goal.

“I was glad to pop up and get the goal again (at Swansea) and carry on from the (one at Burton).

“It’s good to be getting a bit of form and goals, it is a great stage to do it, the FA Cup, against a team like Swansea and inside a big stadium. It is the kind of thing you dream of.

“I can bring goals to the team with late arrivals in the box. I kick-started it against Burton and I need to carry on now. I need to be contributing as much as I can to the team.”

Gills boss Steve Lovell hinted at changes following a tiring FA Cup defeat but, after waiting patiently for his chance to shine, Rees doesn’t want a breather now.

He said: “As a footballer you want to play every game, as many minutes as you can.

“I have found my goalscoring touch now and I want that to carry on.”

The Gills are now free to concentrate on the league after their FA Cup journey came to an end.

They have a chance to put distance between themselves and the bottom four in League 1 with a home game against Accrington on Tuesday night.

It’s the first time back on home soil since that 3-0 loss to Walsall.

Rees said: “We are in front of our own fans and we owe them a performance. Let’s be honest about it, after last weekend, we definitely owe them.

“We have had the FA Cup – we enjoyed that – but the league is the bread and butter and we will be fully focused on that.”

From coming up against Swansea on Saturday, Rees hopes that will serve them good heading into their midweek game.

He said: “It was physically tiring against Swansea but we are not going to play many teams that move the ball that quickly, with as much guile, no disrespect to a team like Accrington.

“It can work in your favour. You are used to the speed of Swansea and you go back to the league and it is a bit easier. Hopefully we can use it to our advantage.

“There will be some tired bodies but there are no excuses, we are modern-day footballers. We can play Saturday-Tuesday.”

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