Brentford U18s fell to a heavy 8-2 defeat to Gillingham in the South East Youth Alliance League on Saturday.

Gillingham put on an impressive display with the side ruthless in front of goal as the young Bees were comfortably beaten.

The young Brentford side were searching for their first league win of the new campaign and made a strong start to the game, Emeka Peters came close to giving the visitors an early lead when the striker ran onto a long kick from Reggie Rose.

Peters’ touch was perfect as the forward plucked the ball out of the air in behind the Gillingham defence, but Tobey Smith came off his line quickly to make a smart save for the hosts.

Gillingham’s first chance of the game ended in a goal when an initial shot from Harry Waldock fell into the path of Jimmy Heasman who tucked the ball into an empty net at the far post.

The home side were 4-0 up by the half-hour mark with Kai Garlett scoring a hat-trick for Gillingham.

Garlett saw his first goal come after finding himself in behind the Brentford backline following a long pass, with the forward showing composure to tuck the ball past Rose.

The third goal for Gillingham came after the side were awarded a penalty with Garlett tucking away his spot kick before netting again with another neat finish from close range.

Things only got worse for the young Bees when Gillingham made it five after Will De Wilde found the bottom corner with a clean strike from 25 yards.

Brentford did manage to find the net before the end of the opening half when Chanse Headman got on the end of an Omaru King corner before Andre Grey helped the ball home.

After a disappointing opening first half, Brentford grew into the match and nearly got themselves another goal after a nice spell of play early on in the second half.

Djoro knocked a neat pass over the Gillingham defence finding Peters, but Smith did well again to stop the forward's shot.

The Gills made it 6-1 just after 70 minutes following a strike from Sullivan Garner after Brentford were caught out on the counter-attack.

Brentford scored their second of the game six minutes later when substitute Mikel Francis displayed some good work in midfield before slipping through Peters who took his chance well this time.

Gillingham scored twice more before full-time with Garbett flicking in his fourth of the game from a corner and Heasman nodding home from close range to cap off a poor day for the Bees.

Brentford U18: Rose, Ivanov (Taylor, 64), King, Grey, Headman, Wilson, Agyei (Francis, 55’), Booth (Halil, 60’), Djoro, Holland (Trialist, 69’), Peters

Gillingham U18: Smith, White, Dobbs, Khumba, Woodwife, Taiwo-Pratt, Bayliss, De Wilde, Garrett, Waldock, Heasman

Subs: Dayal, Sullivan, Skipper, Webster, Orpwood