Brentford 2 - Charlton Athletics 1

It was definitely a game of two halves as Brentford pulled their opponents apart before half time - Gary Alexander rifling home to open the scoring in the 13th minute.

The Bees lead was doubled on the half hour mark as Toumani Diagouraga curled home a left footed beauty from the edge of the box. Andy Scott certainly enjoyed the goal as he whirled away up the New Road touchline.

Our work rate and tempo in the first half was excellent with the dynamic wide duo of Weston and Wood keeping Charlton on the back foot. Nicky Forster also saw a cute strike well saved by Elliot.

After the break, however, Brentford simply stopped doing what we had done before as Charlton dominated proceedings.

It's understandable that the players were perhaps nervous after recent results, but we lost shape and drive and allowed our visitors back into the game. In particular Charlton dominated the middle of the pitch with O'Connor and Diagouraga chasing shadows.

Fortunately Osborne and Legge were in commanding form at centre half at the back - but were unable to prevent Scott Wagstaff from pulling a goal back in the 74th minute. Scotty then made changes - bringing on Bean and Hunt - but most supporters had seen the need for a change well before the goal.

Brentford looked to have nicked a third against the run of play when Michael Spillane - who had just been harshly booked for time-wasting at a throw - headed home but the linesman's flag saw the goal disallowed to the dismay of the Griffin Park faithful.

Ben Hamer was then called upon to help us cling to a nervy victory as he saved twice from sub Akpo Sodje.

Fortunately Brentford mustered enough composure to hold on to three points - let's hope they help kick start our season. It was a good win but the second half performance was far from convincing.

Bees - Hamer, Spillane, Woodman, Legge, Osborne, Wood (Hunt), Diagouraga, O'Connor, Weston, Alexander (Bean), Forster (Hudson)

Unused Bees - Lee, McCracken, Adams, Saunders

With thanks to beesotted for their match report

October 4, 2010