Gillingham (1) 1 Akinfenwa 40
Brentford (0) 1 El Alagui 90+4
Att. 6,225
Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.00
Mileage: 45/1,171
Match Report
This has been a tough opening part to the season. Our eyes have been opened to the strength of the division and the need to maintain concentration for 90 minutes and beyond. That said, many will argue, with justification that we have deserved little more than we have achieved in the opening three league games. Brentford, last season’s beaten play-off finalists, came to Priestfield as one of pre-season’s favourites for promotion this season and like all three opponents previously, exposed Gillingham’s lack of a driving force in midfield, this time made more difficult with the loss through injury of Amine Linganzi.
In perspective, this was a much improved performance from last Saturday’s chastening experience at Wolves, but it couldn’t get any worse. The central defensive pairing of Adam Barrett and Leon Legge taken apart at Molineux were more than a match for Clayton Donaldson and the much-vaunted Will Grigg. Michael Harriman, has learnt in the course of a week that his job is principally to defend and despite his willingness to get forward was pretty much always the right side of the ball when the visitors attacked.
Whilst offering the now usual criticism of an inadequate midfield, from that emerged my man of the match in the shape of Charlie Lee, why he remains on the transfer list defeats me.
The first half leant marginally in Brentford’s favour with Adam Forshaw ruling the roost in midfield. A sweet move on 38 minutes ended with Donaldson heading into the net only to see it ruled out for offside. Gillingham took full advantage of their reprieve within a couple of minutes. A long cross to the far post from Joe Martin appeared to have been over-hit but Danny Kedwell kept it alive heading back to Adebayo Akinfenwa who shot into the bottom corner. The first goal of the season had finally arrived, 310 minutes in, and was greeted rapturously by a home support that had stayed with their team despite the difficulties.
The Bees mounted a second half comeback and Forshaw struck a post early in the half and Donaldson had an effort in the final five minutes also hit a post following a deflection. In between the home side defence showed great resolution as not too many chances were created by the visitors. Four minutes of time added were shown and these had all but elapsed when a disputable free kick was awarded by the tiresome Gavin Ward. The kick was launched into the box, Harlee Dean headed back across the face of goal where Farid El Alagui hooked the ball into the net to the joyous acclaim of the 1,144 Brentford fans behind that goal.
Amazingly, there remained time for Mr Ward to shroud himself in yet more controversy. Straight from the restart, Cody McDonald swept forward and into the box and tumbled to the ground under a challenge. As a supporter, I was out of my seat, it was a penalty. Of course, I couldn't really see whether it was or it wasn't, but the injustice that had been dealt was enough to justify the claim. Brentford defenders accused the Gillingham striker of diving and pushing and shoving ensued whilst Mr Ward waved away the penalty claim.
So, drawing the positives, I was among those who feared Gillingham would end August without a point, they won’t and this was an admirable display given the huge dent that Gillingham’s confidence would have taken last week. What’s the betting on a last minute winner at Swindon next week, with Lady Luck shining this time on Gillingham.
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