Bees first league win of the season

Brentford finally collected maximum points from a league game with a well-deserved 1-0 victory over table-topping Sheffield Wednesday.

The Sunday lunchtime kick off and the Sky broadcast had a detrimental effect on the rather measly 5,396 gate but those who turned up saw a pulsating game, with good football and some excellent chances from the bees.

Early on O'Connor had a header cleared off the line and the bees continued to play well and have half chances. After 30 minutes Wednesday started to get the upper hand and had their best period of play but this just allowed the bees defence to shine with Karleigh Osborne seemingly getting to everything first and clearing the lines.

On 41 minutes Woodman was fed by Weston and crossed into Charlie Mac's feet, in one swift move he trapped, turned and shot for the bees eventual winner.

The second half was full of cut and thrust with the bees failing to add to their lead with three excellent chances. The first involved Simpson, Alexander, Spillane and Weston who all seemed to have a chance to score from 8 yards out but kept passing it to each other when their paths were blocked, Weston finally had the chance but a good save from the keeper and Simpson's follow up was cleared off the line.

The next chance fell to Simpson with a cracking volley from outside the box crashing against the bar.

Brentford's final chance came to Adams, again with a volley from outside the box and one of the sweetest strikes I've ever seen was superbly saved by Weaver in the Wednesday goal.

Wednesday played well and created half chances and shots from distance that were comfortably saved by new-boy Ben Hamer and lots of blocks and last ditch tackles gave Brentford their first clean sheet of the league season.

Hamer was exactly what we remembered him to be. He used his entire penalty area, quick to come out, decisive, good handling and good kicking. I don't remember him having to stretch to make a save and that because of the composed centre halves in front of him. Pim looked back to his best but Karleigh was exceptional, speed of thought and speed of foot and bravery summed up his game.

Spillane was keen to get forward and added a new dimension to the right hand side that we've been missing with Kev and Karleigh playing in their less favoured position.

MacDonald went off with what looked like an injury and was replaced with Nicky Adams going out wide and Simpson up top. Adams looks a top player, busy, skilful, direct and productive.

On 81 minutes Alexander was replaced by Hunt to shore up the midfield as, by then, Wednesday were chasing an equaliser and pushing the bees back more and more.

To sum up, a good game with good bees performances throughout the team and some excellent chances created against a very good team. A deserved win and a deserved clean sheet.

And on the telly!

BEES: Hamer; Spillane, Osborne, Balkestein, Woodman; Simpson, O'Connor, Diagouraga, Weston Wood (90); MacDonald (Adams 64), Alexander (Hunt 81).

Subs (not used): Lee, Legge, Bean, Forster.

Stevenage 0 - Brentford 1 (JPT) Tuesday night cup run continues

Brentford are in the JPT second round draw after a one nil win at Stevenage on Tuesday

The goal came after a superb Osborne pass was controlled by Nicky Adams who beat his man and centred for Robbie Simpson, playing up front, to score his fourth of the season.

Adams had a good game for Brentford on the right of midfield and Michael Spillane, despite a shaky start, improved to look strong and reliable at right back. Richard Lee again played well in goal - as Stevenage dominated the second half - but looks set to play second fiddle to Ben Hamer

A clean sheet is certainly another plus point - let's hope for another on the box on Sunday.

Bees - Lee, Spillane, Pim, Osborne, Woodman, Adams (Cort) , Dave, Kev, Weston, Forster (Wood), Simpson

Unused Subs - Moore, Legge, Bean

Brentford 1 - Rochdale 3

Brentford suffered a Carling Cup hangover as they collapsed 3-1 at home to ten man Rochdale - and fell to the bottom of League One.

Everything that was good about the midweek performance - spirit, guile, workrate, tempo - was lacking today as Brentford rolled over to a second home league defeat

Rochdale, for their part, played like a team - something that Andy Scott's collection of apparently talented individuals needs to learn from. Dale took the lead through Elding after a McCarthy parry, but Robbie Simpson arrived on time to equalise before the break.

Rochdale's O'Grady then scored Dale's second and Jason Kennedy added a third two minutes later to kill of the Bees who consistently failed to put enough pressure on the ball. Kennedy was then quite harshly sent off for a second booking for celebrating his goal but Brentford failed to make their man advantage count in any way shape or form.

The visitors soon worked out that Brenford's main (and only?) threat comes from Myles Weston, and the left midfielder was double marked pretty well throughout the game. Macdonald and Alexander were anonymous up front.

Carl Cort and Nicky Adams made decent late cameos but Brentford just weren't at the races today.

One position that Scott needs to sort - and fast - is goalkeeper. The lack of consistency here HAS to be a factor in our faltering back line. McCarthy did little to impress and Scott's lack of faith in Richard Lee seems to continue despite a good display midweek.

We were again outfought, and out-thought, in the centre of midfield and Nicky Forster must be wandering whether he will ever be given a chance in the team.

All in all a very poor display throughout the team - Myles Weston did OK I guess but that's about it.

Sheffield Wednesday - our next league visitors - moved to the top of the table today after putting five goals past Hartlepool, so Scotty needs to fire his troops up sooner rather than later.

Bees - McCarthy, Kev, Legge, Osborne, Woodman, Simpson, Bean (Cort), Diagouraga, Weston, Macdonald, Alexander (Adams)

With thanks to beesotted for their match reports

September 9, 2010