By Jack Nolan
October 21 2006

Gills captain Mickey Flynn rescued Gills to a two goal a piece draw, despite Brentford having 10 men and a midfielder in goal. Mulligan was brought down twenty minutes in and the Brentford 'keeper saw red, and with no substitute 'keeper, they were forced into putting a midfielder between the sticks.


Brentford.2.2.Gillingham
Griffin Park
21/10/2006
League One


Gillingham had the perfect chance today to earn their second awayday victory of the season, only for once again poor defending to deny them that opportunity.

But The Gills were forced to change their starting line-up just before the start of the game when Mark Bentley wsa injured in the pre-match warm-up. Danny Spiller made a rare return to the starting line-up to replace Bentley in midfield. Sean Clohessy was called-up to the bench to replace Spiller.

The Gills started brightly and Danny Jackman, skipper Mickey Flynn and Andy Crofts all had early long range shots missed or stopped by Brentford 'keeper Clark Masters.

Gillingham 'keeper was then called into action just after a quarter gone, forcing out a 20 yard effort by Carder-Andrews.

Just after twenty minutes gone though controversy struck. Gary Mulligan went to go round the 'keeper only for him to be brought down by Masters in the eyes of Mr Moss who pointed to the spot. Jupp then raced to the refferee and apparently demanded the Brentford 'keeper to be sent off which caused a mini brawl, mainly between Jupp and Brentford player Frampton.

After the melee was sorted, Mr Moss chose to send the Brentford goalkeeper Clark Masters off for a proffesional foul. Two minutes after the referee pointed to the spot Mickey Flynn stepped up and fired past Brentford 'midfielder' John Mousinho in the Brentford goal who was forced into playing in goal due to Brentford not having a back-up goalkeeper on the bench.

Danny Jackman returned to the starting line-up having suffered from food poisoning and had a good chance to double the Gills' advantage over the ten men of Brentford. Jackman's shot going narrowly over the crossbar.

Brentford then scored an unlikely equaliser for the Bee's. Poor defending by Gillingham allowed substitute Callum Willock to get in a cross what Matt Heywood gratefully latched onto to head home Brentford's equaliser.

Minutes after Gills skipper Mickey Flynn thought that he had regained Gillingham's lead. With thirty nine minutes gone Flynn had cut inside his defender and slotted home past midfielder Mousinho, only for it to be ruled out for offside.

Then ten men of Brentford then took a surprise lead through Callum Willock. More poor defending by Gillingham allowed Willock to break free and slot home much to the shock of the Griffin Park crowd.

The Gills went in at half-time two one down, despite having an extra man and the opposition having a midfielder between the sticks.

Gillingham came out after half-time and had plenty of chances to equalise. The first came just after the restarted when Andrew Crofts latched onto Duncan Jupps free kick only to head wide.

Clint Easton is starting to make a name for himself with his long range shots and almost scored way out again. His 30 yard effort was brilliantly saved by stand-in 'keeper Mousinho.

Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu then had a glorious opportunity to make it two all only for his effort from close range going miles over the crossbar.

Gillingham's extra man though paid off and Gillingham team captain Mickey Flynn scored his third (second officially) of the afternoon. Jupps cross missed everyone but for the feet of Mickey Flynn on the edge of the box who somehow found a gap and fired home for his second goal of the game.

The Gills could have even gone away with all three points when Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu managed to get one on one with Mousinho very late on, only to fire his shot straight at the midfielder.

The game finished all level and Gillingham definatly missed their star man Matty Jarvis, who has been rumoured to have suffered a major injury. Spiller made the first eleven for the first time this season, and did well in the hour he played but still lacks full match fitness.

The Gills without doubt though are missing Trinidian Brent Sancho, with the Gills being the second highest conceeders of the division.


Stats:

Brentford dominated the possesion with 51% to Gills' 49%. There were 27 fouls made at Griffin Park with 10 made by Brentford, 17 by Gillingham. The Gills had nine shots on target compared to Brentford's 5. The Bee's shot wide of the goal four times compared to Gillingham missing the target three times. Gillingham won more corners winning six corners to Brentford's three.