Brentford 1 - 1 Gillingham

Brentford’s third home game came against one of the closest teams geographically to them, Gillingham. Martin Allen made two changes to the team with Ryan Peters coming in for Paul Brooker who was injured and Junior Lewis coming in for Michael Dobson.

Brentford started the stronger and Kevin O’Connor had a 30 yard shot go harmlessly wide after some good work by Ryan Peters. Jay Tabb forced an easy save from Jason Brown.

Darren Byfield had two great opportunities to score. One was cleared off the line by Jay Tabb and the other he blazed wide and over the bar.

Gillingham took the lead after an awful mix up between Sam Sodje and Stuart Nelson. The ball was rolling harmlessly through to the keeper and Nelson was trying to tell Sodje to leave it so he could pick up the ball. However Sodje knocked the ball back meaning that Nelson had to kick. As he kicked the ball Sodje ran into the ball and deflected it to Neil Harris who had one of the easiest goals he will score all season. Nelson was not very happy and rightly so as that was one of the last bits of action in the first half.

Alan Pouton was then booked for a tackle from behind on Andrew Frampton. Brentford brought on Michael Dobson for Junior Lewis and Dudley Campbell for Isaiah Rankin.

Dudley brought another free kick in a dangerous position when he got past Richard Rose who stuck out a leg and brought him down. Rose was booked for this challenge but it showed Dudley’s value as a super-sub.

The Brook Road upped the volume and Brentford looked for their equaliser and they got it. Dudley Campbell produced some good work and got the ball to Jay Tabb. Tabb crossed the ball in for Ryan Peters who made no mistake with the header to score his first goal of the season in only his second start for the club with his first being the Hull game last season. He had made a substitute appearance against Sheffield Wednesday and scored.

Brentford pushed hard for a winner but the Gillingham defence were strong and looked to keep them out. Owusu had a good chance but it was blocked on the line with appeals as some players thought it was over the line.

Darren Byfield was booked for a foul on Andrew Frampton. Brent Sancho then was unwell on the pitch and was substituted.

Andrew Frampton was then booked for a foul on Matthew Jarvis as Brentford pushed forward but Gillingham held on for a point. Brentford slipped to third in the table but it’s still only August.

Brentford
S Nelson, K O'Connor, S Sodje, M Turner, A Frampton, R Peters, J Lewis (62 M Dobson) , E Hutchinson, J Tabb, L Owusu, I Rankin (63 D Campbell)
Subs: S Fitzgerald, M Dobson, M Gayle, D Campbell, A Bankole

Gillingham
J Brown, R Rose, I Cox, C Hope, B Sancho (86 M Flynn) , D Jackman, M Jarvis, A Pouton, A Crofts, D Byfield (89 P Shields) , N Harris
Subs: A Hessenthaler, M Flynn, D Knowles, P Shields, S Hislop

Ref: P Melin
Att: 6969

Possession:
Brentford 50%
Gillingham 50%

Shots:
Brentford 8
Gillingham 6

Corners:
Brentford 15
Gillingham 6

Fouls:
Brentford 13
Gillingham 18

Bookings:
Brentford 1
Gillingham 3