Gillingham's Head of Youth Darren Hare gives us his report from Saturday's game at Beechings Cross.

It was an excellent result for the young lads this week, and a great response to the previous first games of the season.

I changed the shape for this game going back to a more conventional 4-4-2 formation, having worked hard this week on our defensive play.

We welcomed back Tom Brunt from injury in defence, in the absence of Josh Hare, and included schoolboy Ashley Miller up front in place of Nathan Nyafli who had a groin strain.

We started brightly and defended well and I was absolutely delighted with the work ethic on display.

The first breakthrough came on 30 minutes, when Jack Parter returned his initial cross into the box for Bradley Dack to finish.

Just after this, Ashley Miller raced through one on one with their keeper and tried an audacious lob, which the keeper saved easily.

At the other end Darren Hawkes in goal was more of a spectator as he only had one shot to deal with, up until the last minute of the half. A corner was delivered into the area and Darren could maybe have done better with his decision to punch or catch. He opted for the punch, and from the resulting throw in our lads at the back fell asleep for a second to allow their centre half to equalize from a good in-swinging cross.

At half time I asked the boys to go and win the game again and to be fair they responded emphatically.

After 55 minutes Star man Dack steered home another goal to make it 2-1, and then the resurgent George Humber created havoc with his pace to cross low and hard for their defender to turn into his own net.

Finally, skipper Callum Davies was on hand to turn in a Humber shot on the rebound and we were then comfortable.


Skipper Callum Davies added the fourth goal

However, late on Brighton scored a late equalizer from a melee following a corner which we did not clear, and that gave us a few nervous moments towards the end of the game.

On the whole I was delighted with the work put in, and the way we pressed our opponents. If I had one gripe it was the fact we did not play as much football as I would have liked but it was important for the boys' to record their first victory to give them the confidence to continue improving.