Gillingham were unlucky to fall to a narrow 2-1 defeat at Brentford B on Saturday afternoon.
The fixture, which was played at the club’s training ground behind closed doors, saw the visitors create several chances but were unable to convert them as Brentford held out for victory.
The Bees had gone two goals up, one courtesy of a stunning solo strike, with the other a result of a mix up in the Gills defence. Omar Beckles pulled one back but the hosts did enough to get over the line.
Taite Holtam started in goal with Liam Gordon partnering Beckles and Andy Smith at centre-back. Zane Albarus was in midfield with Ronan Hale and Seb Palmer-Houlden in attack.
Gareth Ainsworth’s men weathered a heavy storm as Brentford came out of the blocks well, but it was the Gills who created the first opening on 11 minutes. A goalmouth scrap suddenly occurred with James Brophy, Albarus and Sam Gale all doing their best to apply the finishing touch, but Brentford cleared their lines.
A couple of minutes later and it was the hosts who seized the advantage when a corner kick was played to the edge of the box and a sensational strike from 20 yards found its way beyond Holtam and into the top corner.
Gills were brilliantly denied a few minutes later when a Brophy corner was fired into a dangerous spot, and Gordon made good contact, but the keeper leaped to his left side and somehow got the ball away from danger.
McKenzie was next to try his luck and had two chances in a few moments. The first effort, via a Brophy delivery, was struck wide of the post before a strong run from Albarus resulted in Robbie having space for a more central shot, but this went over the bar.
Holtam made another strong save prior to the break to ensure Gills were just one behind at the half-time whistle.
H/T: Brentford B 1-0 Gillingham
Gills made the first chance of the second-half when Brophy delivered a ball into the box which found Kadeem Harris, he made good contact with his strike but it went just wide of the target.
Two minutes later and Brentford bagged a second when there was a defensive mix-up at the back, allowing a forward to tuck home from the edge of the box.
Ainsworth’s side virtually dominated from this point on, going close on 63 minutes when another Brophy delivery was headed over by Beckles. The former Cambridge man was causing headaches for the home defence with his set play delivery, his next corner kick headed against the upright by sub Michael Luxton.
A long throw shortly after from McKenzie was flicked on inside the box and it was Goodwin who was first to react, but his shot was well saved.
The efforts of the away side were finally rewarded when Brophy, who again delivered an excellent corner, found Beckles who buried his header into the back of the net from six yards.
Gills threw bodies forward in search of a deserved equalizer, but another Goodwin header was saved by the keeper before Louie Dayal’s brilliant solo effort was also thwarted by the Brentford stopper.
F/T: Brentford B 2-1 Gillingham
Gills: Holtam, Gale (Webster 76), Smith (Theodore 76), Beckles (Khumbeni 76), Gordon (Dobbs 76), Harris (Beszant 64), Albarus (Luxton 64), McKenzie (Coleman 76), Brophy (Dayal 76), Hale (Booth 64), Palmer-Houlden (Goodwin 64)
Unused subs: None
