Classy Performance Gives Bees a Win

Rochdale 0 - Brentford 1

Brentford put in a classy performance to put a stop to Rochdale's gallop into the play off places.

Nicky Forster played less of the loanees than of late and the side put on an excellent display of passing football.

Neilson started at left back in place of Woodman who came on at half time to replace the injured Pim. Neilson then moved into the centre alongside Karleigh with no apparent change in effectiveness.

The Bees could have gone ahead after 15 minutes when Weston's spectacular shot hit the underside of the bar but didn't cross the line and an even first half ended with former Bee Nicky Adams hitting the post.

The second half was more comfortable for the Bees as they kept the ball better than 'dale and limited their chances more. On 79 minutes Saunders floated a long range cross towards the far post where Simpson was on hand to head down and in for the lead and eventual winner.

Brentford saw the rest of the 90 minutes (plus 5 mins added time) out very comfortably with some of their most controlled football of the season.

There were good performances all round. Moore put in a nerve free performance and Kev was not just comfortable at right back but classy too.

Just what we needed, a good win against good opposition. Hopefully the this will bode well for some spectacular football, at least for our remaining two home games against Colchester on Good Friday and the all-ticket game against the Saints at the end of the month. I think the home crowd need a little cheering up and give us some hope over the bleak summer months.

Moore; O'Connor, Osborne, Balkestein (sub Woodman h/t), Neilson; Saunders (sub Wood 87 mins), Diagouraga, Bean, Weston; Simpson, Grabban

Subs (not used): Royce, Spillane, Byrne, Reed, Schlupp

With thanks to beesotted for their match report

April 26, 2011