Youth Team defender Gradi Milenge said playing for Brentford’s Development Squad in their Under-21 Professional Development League Two South win over Cardiff City was a “great experience”.
The teenager, who is part of the Under-17 group, played in the centre of Brentford’s defence in the game, played at Griffin Park yesterday afternoon.
The Bees won 2-0 with goals coming from trialist Aaron Green, just before half time, and Joe Maloney, on the hour mark.
Cardiff are top of the Under-21 Professional Development League Two South table but Brentford were comfortable winners.
Gradi, speaking after the match, said Development Squad football was about developing First Team players and he just went out to do his job.
“It was a great experience for me,” said the defender.
“At Youth Team level we have lost a few games.
“This is a totally different story.
“The coaches are looking to win more; they are trying to build the next professional footballers.
“I was trying to do my job, which was not to concede.
“That was my first priority.
“At the Youth Team we try to play football in all areas and sometimes get caught out.”
Gradi was part of an inexperienced defence.
Youth Team winger Kojo Awotwi played at right back with Youth Team central defender Lionel Stone at left back.
Gradi partnered Raphaël Calvet, 20, in the centre of defence and goalkeeper Mark Smith, a trialist who is on the books of Queens Park Rangers as a Youth Team player, was behind them.
Gradi said midfield players Joe Maloney and Emmanuel Oyeleke, known as Manny, helped out and Raphaël played his role as defensive leader.
“Our defensive unit was young,” he said.
“We struggled a bit in the first half, they got in behind us.
“Raphaël, as the senior member, spoke to me, got me to play a bit deeper and that worked well for us.
“They couldn’t get in behind us; we were quick up to the ball.
“That stopped us conceding.
“Joe Maloney helped us, they couldn’t play through.
“Manny was in there too, they played a big role.”
It was Gradi’s second Under-21 Professional Development League Two South appearance of the season.
His first was against Charlton Athletic where Brentford were 2-1 up at half time but lost 6-3.
Gradi said it was a great experience to win, particularly as it was at Griffin Park.
“My first main Under-21 game was against Charlton and we lost 6-3,” he said.
“We were winning 2-1 at half time and I was buzzing.
“To lose 6-3 looked bad on me, looked bad on the back four and the team.
“It was disappointing, it wasn’t that type of game, we had played well.
“Today we played well and won, that is a great experience.
“We had a crowd today, it was at Griffin Park, it was brilliant.
“It felt different.”
Brentford’s Youth Team players have been given the opportunity to step up to Under-21 Professional Development League Two South action in recent weeks.
Gradi said every Youth Team squad member was fighting for the chance.
He added the ascent of Charlie Adams, who was promoted to the First Team from the Development Squad last week, gave all young players a belief there was the same chance for them.
“Everyone in the Youth Team is fighting to get a chance at this level,” said Gradi.
“Brentford pushes players up.
“The goal is then to push on to the next level, like Charlie Adams.
“Charlie is a brilliant player, he deserves what he has got.
“We want to be brilliant too.
“We are working to do that, it won’t just happen because we are here every day.
“Charlie has shown us there is an opportunity and we have to grab it.”
Gradi Milenge’s full post-match reaction is available here for Bees Player subscribers.