Brentford 4 Gillingham 0
By David Pritchard
Gillingham slipped to within a whisker of the relegation zone as their dismal away record in League One continued with a chastening defeat at Brentford.
The visitors had a hand in all four goals as the Bees gratefully made the most of their invitation, running into a 3-0 lead, including two penalties, before half-time. Gillingham had their chances but they could not reduce the deficit, which was increased with a fourth goal late on. It left Gillingham without a win away from home in 15 games this season.
Gills boss Mark Stimson, who went over to face the angry visiting fans after the gafe, felt the scoreline was harsh on his side but admitted some of the players had let themselves down.
He said: "I take full responsibility because I pick the team. The players have got to take some responsibility and for me the biggest thing was I went over to the crowd and looked them in the eye. It wasn't nice what I was getting back but I understand that, it's part of the game. There were at least four or five of my players who didn't.
"I always believe if you do your best that's all you can do. That's what I've done today and in the week, everything has been geared up to come here and get our first away win. I could have quite easily walked away and not gone to the supporters but I looked at them in the eye. I know it's nowhere near good enough or acceptable, but do some of the players?"
James Walker came straight into the starting line-up for his debut, replacing Rene Howe, who picked up an injury in training on Friday.
The new signing quickly made an impact, laying off for Mark Bentley to measure a ball over the top for Simeon Jackson inside the first two minutes. The Canada international got his shot away but Wojciech Szczesny tipped it on to the post.
The Bees goalkeeper also twice saved from Andy Barcham in the first 10 minutes as the visitors made a flying start. Brentford had hardly strung two passes together when Darren Dennehy’s careless back pass went straight to Charlie MacDonald on his own 18 yards out. The striker rounded Alan Julian and went down, with the referee pointing to the spot.
Julian was adamant he touched the ball but was fortunate not to receive a card, although he could do nothing about MacDonald’s spot kick.
The goal spurred the home side on and their wingers Myles Weston and Sam Saunders caused problems on both flanks. Brentford had the best of the game without testing Julian until they were awarded another penalty on 32 minutes. Kevin Maher was adjudged to have fouled Toumani Diagouraga, which looked a harsh decision.
MacDonald confidently smashed home his second goal of the afternoon and within three minutes it was 3-0 as Brentford capitalised on Gillingham’s defensive frailties.
The goal was a comedy of errors from the visitors, beginning with Josh Gowling’s unsighted back pass which looped over Julian. The goalkeeper reached the ball before it crossed the line but his clearance fell to Weston 30 yards out and the winger brushed off a couple of weak challenges to bury a low finish past Julian.
While defensively the Gills were abject, going forward they continued to carry a threat. They should have pulled a goal back four minutes before the break, when both Barcham and Walker somehow missed Barry Fuller’s whipped cross.
Their best chance came seven minutes after the break. Mark Bentley’s angled header was tipped on to the crossbar by Szczesny and rebounded out to Walker, who volleyed over from six yards with the net gaping.
Curtis Weston and Luke Rooney came off the bench to add some impetus without the visitors creating anything.
Brentford were content to play within themselves and coast to the victory. They added a fourth goal 11 minutes from time, but again they received a helping hand from Gillingham. Rooney’s loose pass gave away possession, allowing Myles Weston to stroll into the penalty area and fire in a shot which rebounded off the post on to Julian’s head and into the back of the net.
The defeat saw Gillingham slip to 20th place in League One, with only goal difference keeping them out of the bottom four. Next up is a huge game at home to fellow strugglers Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday.
Attendance: 6,036 (1,137 away)
Gillingham (4-4-2): Julian, Fuller, Gowling, Dennehy, Wynter, Bentley (Rooney 58), Payne, Maher, Barcham (McCammon 75), Jackson, Walker (Weston 58)
Substitutes: Royce, Miller, Jackman, Oli
Brentford (4-4-2): Szczesny, Foster, Legge, Smith, Dickson, Saunders (Ainsworth 75), Diagouraga, O’Connor, Weston, MacDonald (Strevens 82), Akinde (Cort 82)
Substitutes: Moore, Phillips, Hunt, Wood
POSTED: 06/02/2010 14:32:50
Bookmark with:
Email to a friend: