Gil Vicente 1 Brentford 1: Thiago scores as Andrews' first game ends level | OneFootball

Keith Andrews' first game in charge of Brentford ended in a 1-1 pre-season friendly draw against Primeira Liga side Gil Vicente.

Igor Thiago was on target for the Bees at Estádio Cidade de Barcelos on Friday evening as the Bees stepped up their preparations for the 2025/26 Premier League season.

Summer signings Caoimhín Kelleher and Jordan Henderson started in the first half, with Antoni Milambo getting his first minutes in a Brentford shirt in the second period.

Aaron Hickey played at right-back after the interval, featuring in a first-team fixture for the first time since October 2023.

24 players were involved in total for the visitors against the Portuguese top-flight outfit, a strategic partner of the club, however, Gustavo Nunes was forced off through injury.

The west Londoners enjoyed plenty of early possession with Fábio Carvalho having the first effort of the game within the opening two minutes. Having won the ball back inside Gil Vicente's box after a Mathias Jensen long throw-in, his low drive was blocked.

On 10 minutes, the hosts took the lead against the run of play. Brazilian striker Pablo dispossessed Sepp van den Berg 35 yards out from goal before driving forward and firing into the bottom corner from the edge of the D.

Eight minutes later, the Bees equalised through their own Brazilian frontman, Thiago. Jayden Meghoma regained possession on the left flank and Kevin Schade, in front of him on the same wing, drove forward and evaded the tackle of Facundo Cáseres before playing a low ball into the middle of the area for Carvalho. He found Mikkel Damsgaard on his left with a first-time pass, and the Dane squared the ball for Thiago to tap into an empty net from close range.

Kelleher was forced into a smart save midway through the half, parrying away Luís Esteves' snapshot from the right side of the penalty area after the former Nacional midfielder had worked a yard of space and pulled the trigger.

The trio of Carvalho, Schade and Damsgaard continued to link up well. With just over half an hour played, the latter's cross from the left found Thiago, but the forward's header was caught by compatriot Andrew in the Gil Vicente goal.

Brentford continued to dominate the ball, but the Roosters did look dangerous on the counter attack as Sergio Bermejo sent a left-footed strike whistling past the upright.

Thiago went inches away from adding his and the west Londoners' second goal of the evening moments before the interval. Nathan Collins threaded a sublime pass through to Schade on halfway, who raced forward and played in the Bees' no.9. He rounded the keeper before his effort from a narrowing angle deflected off Marvin Elimbi and hit the top of the post.

As planned, Andrews made XI changes at the interval.

Nunes was forced off just over 10 minutes after being introduced with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and was replaced by Romelle Donovan.

The Bees created the first chance of the second period with an hour on the clock. Benjamin Arthur's lengthy headed clearance was misjudged by Elimbi, allowing Myles Peart-Harris to latch onto it. He found Ryan Trevitt in the middle of the box, but the 22-year-old, sliding to meet the ball, saw his effort palmed around the post.

With five minutes left of a far less eventful second half, Antonio Espigares inadvertently directed Yehor Yarmoliuk's cross from the left wing narrowly wide of the mark in what was the last moment of note.

Gil Vicente: Andrew (Dani Figueira 82); Zé Carlos (No.2), Buntu, Elimbi (Espigares 65), Konan; Cáseres (Guilherme Freitas 82), Santi García, Luís Esteves; Martín, Pablo (Varela 65), Bermejo

Subs not used: Picornell, Zé Carlos (No. 6), Bamba, Paolo, Gui Beleza, Hevertton, Diego Collado, Diogo Costa, Rodrigo Rodrigues

Brentford first half: Kelleher; Kayode, van den Berg, Collins, Meghoma; Henderson, Jensen; Carvalho, Damsgaard, Schade; Thiago

Brentford second half: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Ajer, Arthur, Henry; Milambo, Yarmoliuk; Nunes (Donovan 58), Trevitt (Konak 82), Lewis-Potter, Peart-Harris

Andrews on Gil Vicente stalemate

Brentford head coach Keith Andrews shared his thoughts after the Bees' pre-season friendly fixture against Primeira Liga side Gil Vicente.

“I was pleased, overall, really pleased," said Andrews.

“The week, in general, has been geared towards this game. The plan was always to play the majority of players for 45 minutes in two different halves.

“The first half had the more senior players playing, getting to know each other, things we’d worked on in training, maybe not to the level we wanted, but it’s pre-season and that’s why we’re working on it.

“I was slightly disappointed with the start of the second half. We were a bit passive, but then we got a grip of the game and in the last half-hour we were solid.

"The younger team out there will gain confidence from that. They looked dangerous and kept them relatively quiet coming the other way.”

Hickey: Amazing to be back

Aaron Hickey reflected after making a first-team appearance for the first time since October 2023 in Brentford's 1-1 pre-season friendly draw against Gil Vicente.

“It feels amazing to be back out there with the boys,” said the Scottish full-back.

“It’s been very difficult, but thankfully I’m now back playing. I’m just looking forward to the season now."

On the clash against the Roosters and the Bees' Portugal tour, he added: "I think we did well and had the majority of possession. It was a good run out for us.

“The camp has been really enjoyable. The sessions have been good and you can see the intensity with the boys. This will help us today, getting match minutes."