Aiden Blanchard grabs winning goal as Gills claim victory
A goal in the second half from midfielder Aiden Blanchard proved enough to seal victory at Barnet, although Academy boss Darren Hare felt the game could have gone either way.Gills had to defend for large periods to maintain their lead, but the back four rose to the challenge to ensure they came back to Priestfield with a win.
Speaking to the club website Darren said: “It was a great defensive display and in the first 10 minutes we were all over Barnet and that’s when we had our best chances of the game and we didn’t take them.
“For me we then allowed them to get a foot hold on the game and we didn’t get close enough to them and we didn’t manage to get a grip and gain control.
“We got to half time and I felt I needed to make a couple of changes – I had a couple of trialists up front and we weren’t really getting hold of the ball or causing them too many problems when we had the ball.
“We were definitely better in the second half and I have to say the goal we scored was of the highest quality.
"A ball was knocked in to the corner by Danny Leonard, Michael Freiter made a great run on the right hand side and, on the run, with the ball on the bounce whipped across first time, Aiden Blanchard rose to it and powered home.
“It was a fantastic header and even their guys were clapping, it was that good a goal and I was absolutely delighted with that.
“I felt like it was a bit of a `smash and grab` and we had to defend for large periods of the game again. Barnet are quick, strong and pass the ball well but we were disciplined and organised and we always have that threat going forward.
“With the pace of Charlie, Mahlon and Michael on this occasion, there was always a chance we could score at the other end and we did with about 10 minutes to go.
“The thing with young players is that you can never second guess it or know how they are going to play."
Goal - Aiden Blanchard