Gradi Milenge felt that Brentford were well worth their sixth win in seven matches as they came from a goal behind to beat Ipswich Town 3-1 at Playford Road yesterday afternoon.
The Bees went behind in the fifth minute when Sam Ford slammed home but levelled before the break as Courtney Senior finished off a neat move. Jan Holldack made it 2-1 just after the break and two minutes later Reece Cole added a third.
The win moves Kevin O’Connor’s side up to third in the U21 Professional Development League Two South table and speaking to Bees Player after the match Gradi said he was very happy with the win.
“I am happy with the three points today,” said Gradi. “It was a good result especially coming back from 1-0 down. We struggled to get started in the first ten minutes but once we got started they couldn’t stop us. We always show character to come back from behind: it is never a worry when we go behind because we believe we can always come back.
“We got the mistakes out of the way in the first 15 minutes and after that it was our game. Scoring twice after half-time showed that we were dominant. It is all good being on top but if it is equal there is still a chance that they can come back. Once we went 3-1 up everyone believed in what they could do and it was about showing it out there.”
19-year-old Gradi was joined in The Bees backline on Monday by Josh Laurent and Daniel O’Shaughnessy. The North London native thinks that playing alongside players experienced at U21 level is helping his game progress.
“Their striker was a good player,” said Gradi. “He was a big lad but I think I came through today well. I do what I had to do and came out on top. Daniel O’Shaughnessy is always speaking to me so that helps. Josh Laurent has played centre midfield and centre-back and he knows what he is doing.”
Gradi has made nine appearances for Kevin O’Connor’s side this season and is targeting consistency as he looks to cement his place in the Under-21 starting line-up.
“It has been very competitive in the Development Squad this year,” said Gradi. “Last year I didn’t have to compete as much because I was secure but this year has been more competitive for me. I have played quite a lot of games but there are always things that I can work on but I feel I have been given a chance and today I have taken it. I want to keep pushing and get my consistency up. At times I haven’t been consistent which has seen me get dropped sometimes. I need to be consistent, I need to push and I feel I had a long way ahead of me.”
Bees Player subscribers can watch the full interview below