Gillingham manager Mark Bonner says there were a lot of good thngs to be pleased with during his side's 2-1 defeat to Peterborough United at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy on Tuesday.
Bonner was pleased with some of the work his side did in possession but was left frustrated at the manner in which his side conceded the two goals.
The 2-1 defeat saw three players that have climbed the ranks of the Football Club's academy system in the starting XI. Bonner was delighted with the performances of all three, with Harry Webster standing out on his professional debut.
Elliott Nevitt scored his first competitive goal for Gillingham, having missed the last month due to an injury. The Gills boss was glad to see Nevitt get his reward for the hard work he has put in to get match fit. However, he will not push the forward too soon, noting the importance of having him for the long haul.
Thoughts on the game...
I thought that it was a really good game, and I thought that we played really well. I haven't had a look at the statistics, but it felt like we had a lot more control of that game, certainly in the first-half, than we have had in many so far. I thought that we played with a good confidence with the ball and connected the game quite nicely.
My frustration is that we have lost it despite the fact that they have had some good chances in the game, and they will be delighted with their finishes. We are frustrated with the goals that we have conceded because we think they are preventable on our part.
In the first 12 minutes we have had real control of that game and given a moment away. One pass beats us, and they get a run off of us, and you cannot allow that against really athletic players. We ended up behind, and we shouldn't have really been behind at half-time; at worst, it should have been a level game.
We have used that game tonight to save some, get some minutes into others, and give some younger players opportunities, but I have to say, I really liked what we were tonight. I think that it shows bags of potential in what's possible for us against a brilliant team.
Performances of Harry Webster, Alex Giles and Joe Gbode...
Joe Gbode had some amazing moments and turned defence into attack really well. He carried the ball well and looked like a real threat against their full-backs. He was very good at times.
Alex Giles had such a tough night the last time he played at Swansea. He was better tonight. He got through the game with a stiff back at times, and he was struggling from quite early, but he got through it. There were some good learning points in that game for him, but he played well and had some good stuff in the game.
Harry Webster had an excellent debut tonight against very, very good wingers. Every time he has played, he has looked comfortable and confident, he has defended well, and given us a threat with the ball. I really like him. He is doing great.
On Elliott Nevitt...
He is desperate. We are holding him back a bit. It has been a long couple of weeks for him - doing the sessions you don't like doing and trying to get him ready. If we have to trade him for six games to get him for 40, then so be it, as it's a long season. We want to try and make sure that if players are out or on a break that we don't try and have them being repeat injuries.
Nevitt can run away from people and run behind and run the channels, which I love. He has got both sides of the game, and he's a goal scorer. I thought that he took his goal really well.
A forward scoring his first goal will be good for him. It is just a little bit of a reward for the work that he has had to put in and the patience he has shown to get back.
Getting minutes in the tank...
Those four lads that have played tonight for the first time in a long, long time, we just need to see how their bodies take that, and where they are later in the week and hope that we can keep them out there.
