Gradi Milenge thought his side were worth the win as they beat Maidenhead United 2-1 in their latest pre-season friendly at York Road.
The Bees established a 2-0 lead just after half-time thanks to goals from Dereece Richards and Louis Hutton.
However the hosts fought back and dominated the final half-hour and set up a nervy ending when they struck with eight minutes to go.
That was as good as it got for the Skrill South side as Jon De Souza’s side held on to record their first win of the pre-season campaign.
Speaking to Bees Player after the game, Gradi said he was pleased with the way Brentford worked and defended as a team.
In view of the hard work that they put in Gradi thought that the team were worth their win.
“I think it was a deserved victory,” said Gradi.
“We ran a lot off the ball and I think we deserved what we got at the end.
“There were 30 minutes in that second-half which were scrappy and end-to-end and that is where we conceded but other than that we worked really hard.
“The last half-hour we were trying to play a high line and they managed to play it in behind just in between us and the goalkeeper.
“It was hard for Nik Tzanev to get out so we had to get back in and defend that.
“I think Nik was good today.
“He played some good passes into Lionel Stone who bombed on and the left-back who bombed on.
“He was comfortable and it helped to have him there.
“I was pleased with our out of possession work.
“I felt I had that security from my midfield who worked hard throughout the game.
“We had a few trialists in the second-half and it was clear they weren’t as used to the play as the guys in the first-half were.
“They still worked hard and I was pleased with that.”
Gradi played 45 minutes against Hampton & Richmond in The Bees opening pre-season fixture last Tuesday, but the game against Maidenhead was his first 90 minutes in a game against a full men’s side.
The 17-year-old, who still has another year on his scholarship as a Youth Team player, admitted he found the physicality tough to begin.
On top of dealing with the physicality of the opposition Gradi also had to deal with a sizeable crowd who got behind Maidenhead in the closing stages.
Having rarely played in front of any sort of crowd, Gradi said the crowd intimidation did affect him but that it was all a great learning curve for him.
“Physically it was quite demanding today,” said Gradi.
“At first I was a bit too keen on trying to win the ball.
“Tactically I think I got it a little wrong to start with as sometimes it was better to hold off and let them have it and then try and nick it in a clever way.
“I think I started doing that a bit more as the game went on and had some success with it.
“The crowd was a bit of extra pressure.
“I am not really used to the crowd.
“When they got on top of us the crowd did start going for them I was a bit nervous.
“I felt I coped with the nervousness.
“We did have a few people in the crowd behind us too and that boosted us.
“It is a good learning experience.”
Gradi was named Youth Team Player of the Year last year and forced his way into the Development Squad towards the end of the season.
He made four appearances in total, three of which were starts, as a 17-year-old last season.
Having featured in both pre-season friendlies so far Gradi said he wants to become a regular in the Development Squad this season.
The defender said it is a great boost for him to be playing above his age group as it shows that he is well regarded by the coaching staff with the Academy.
“I am looking to be a regular in the Development Squad this year,” said Gradi.
“I am going to push for that but there is a lot of competition.
“Alfie Mawson is a very good centre-back and Kieran Morris, who is injured at the moment, is also good.
“Playing up gives me confidence about how I am viewed.
“It shows to me that I mean something to them.
“I try on the pitch to show that I am worth what I mean to the club and it makes me push that bit harder.”