Swindon Town 3 - Brentford 2

Bees suffer double trouble

Brentford sank to their only double defeat of the season, losing 3-2 at promotion hunting Swindon on Saturday.

The Bees started the game without daddy-to-be Myles Weston and Carl Cort who still has a bruised foot.

Swindon opened the scoring through Billy Paynter in the 7th minute, with David Hunt firing home an equaliser from the edge of the box around the half hour mark. His original right footed shot was blocked but he showed great technique to slot home the rebound with his left peg

Brentford were unable to head in on even terms at the interval however as Danny Ward latched onto a McGovern pass to score on the stroke of half time.

Swindon - who could still get promoted automatically if Millwall and Leeds both slip up next weekend - increased their lead in the 57th minute with Paynter heading home. This shook Brentford back into action - and two minutes later Strevens scored from slightly further out than normal (8 yards) to narrow Swindon's advantage.

The visitors were, in truth, unable to build on this goal and Swindon had most of the late pressure with a number of corners. Brentford's best chance of an equaliser went begging when Phillips took the ball away from the better placed Diagouraga

Pim Balkestein was stretchered off towards the end of the game after spending a prolonged period being treated on the pitch. The big defender collided with Charlie Austin in mid air and left the pitch suffering from neck pain.

Brentford's defending yesterday was pretty poor for all three Swindon goals, with Leon Legge not tight enough on Painter and Karleigh Osborne finding it harder going at right back after impressing in the centre recently.

The defeat leaves Brentford in tenth place with one game left to play - against Hartlepool - who could yet be relegated if they have points deducted for fielding an illegible player. The Football League decision on this will be made on Thursday.

Elsewhere in league one, Wycombe Wanderers were relegated after losing 2-0 at Leyton. Gillingham, who beat Southampton 2-1 today and travel to Wycombe next Saturday, could still be overtaken next weekend if they lose and both Tranmere and Exeter win.

Bees - Chesney, Foster, Osborne, Legge, Balkestein (Bean 90+2), Kev, Dave, Hunt, Wood (Phillips 90+2), Mac, Strevens

Unused Bees - Bull, Blake, Franks, Ferrell

Brentford 1 - Yeovil Town 1

Lacking Dickson, Foster (girlfriend in labour), Balkestein, Weston (ill), Cort, Bean and with Grabban recalled by Millwall, Brentford fielded a weak team at Griffin Park and were probaly reasonably happy with the point gained in a 1-1 draw - particularly given the poor start made against relegation-threatened Yeovil.

After 2 minutes MacDonald's challenge on Kalala on the edge of the area was harshly adjudged a penalty and former Bee Gavin Tomlin sent Chesney the wrong way.

Saunders gave full League debutant Ainsworth a chance but he shot just wide from the edge of the box.

Stevens also had a close range chance after Charlie's low near post cross.

The recalled Sam Saunders, playing on the left hand side, beat McCarthy with a curling 20 yarder which shaved the post and David Hunt's half-hit free kick just before the break went through the wall but was easily saved.

Mr Horwood did Brentford no favours when waving away penalty claims when Charlie was steamrollered by Caulker just on halftime.

Brentford started the second half brightly and after Saunders was brought down on the edge of the box Hunt's free kick aimed at the near post was well saved.

Ryan Blake made his long awaited debut for the club replacing the ineffective Ainsworth whose march straight down the tunnel does not augur well for his long term future at the club.

The equaliser came when Charlie was tripped just outside the area and Sam Saunders finally scored his first goal for Brentford in his 30th appearance with a beautifully curled free kick hit with real pace into the far corner.

The Bees found fresh confidence and Strevens headed over from a Saunders cross but were indebted to Chesney for a wonderful late save from Tomlin to secure the draw.

So all in all a decent day out in the Summer sunshine. There were several positives: not being doubled by Yeovil; the determination not to lose; Ryan Blake's composed debut; Sam's first and long overdue goal; and how well Karleigh and Leon did in partnership at the centre of the defence.

Next season should be worth waiting for!

Brentford 2 Tranmere Rovers 1

Brentford narrowly saw off the challenge of a determined Tranmere team that came to Griffin Park desperately needing a win in their efforts to stave off relegation. So unsurpringly it was the visitors who took the initiative and had the majority of the play in a poor first half.

Brentford rarely threatened and Carl Cort, starting his 4th game in a row, limped off just before the interval to be replaced by Ben Strevens. The news of his injury is not good and he will be having an X-Ray on his foot.

Tranmere looked the more positive and Labadie forced Szczesny into an early tip over.

Wood and Grabban fired wide and, apart from an appeal for a hand ball in the box, that was it for the first half which meandered to an end.

Brentford livened up after the break and took the lead when Kevin O'Connor's 20 yarder was deflected into the net.

Weston curled a 25 yarder narrowly wide as Brentford began to take control but when Osborne was penalised for dangerous play the initial free kick was blocked and Ladabie equalised with a low 20 yarder.

Dave shot inches wide from 20 yards but the game was even now and it came as a surprise when Brentford scored a great team goal. Strevens fought for the ball and fed Charlie MacDonald and the striker turned brilliantly before crossing low for Strevens to finish from close range.

Brentford could have sealed the game when Charlie forced a decent near post save and the excellent Weston shot just over but they were indebted to Chesney for an athletic late tip over to seal the three points.

So Brentford march on, 60 points now safely in the bag.

Osborne and Legge impressed and Wood finally got the better of the massive Bas Savage. Dave impressed and probably did too well in front of the watching Barry Fry!

And finally a word for the referee, Mr Phillips - but I can't use it as it is unprintable. He gave an utterly appalling performance and what he didn't miss he got wrong.

Bristol Rovers 0-0 Brentford

Brentford continued their unbeaten run with a goalless draw against Bristol Rovers this afternoon.

Brentford were buoyed by the unexpected return of Kevin O'Connor and Roger Chesney to the side in this fairly meaningless end of season tie. The only thing to play for was pride and as the bees and especially Andy Scott have that in spades this wasn't the excruciatingly dull 0-0 we got against Exeter.

The bees hit the the woodwork twice from MacDonald and Legge while Wood and Osborne cleared off the line and Chesney made a trademark spectacular save from a Chris Lines shot which took the eye of manager Andy Scott:

"Wojciech Szczesny made an absolutely remarkable save and he passes it off like a run of the mill save, so we just let him get on with it.

"We created a lot of chances and got the ball in good areas, but we didn't have that spark or magic to go past.

"The lads have been fantastic this season and deserve all the credit they get."

Brentford: Szczeny; Foster, Osborne, Legge, Wood; Grabban, O'Connor, Dave, Weston (Ainsworth 64); Cort, MacDonald

Substitutes: Bull, Blake, Saunders, Hunt, Strevens

Thanks to beesotted and BIAS for their match reports.

May 4, 2010