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#320853 The Brentford Project
Taz.
WYCOMBE 2-5 BRENTFORD
Tues 20 Mar - 19:30 - Adams Park
Brentford are one win away from promotion to the Championship after easing past Wycombe.
The unstoppable Yassin El Azzouzi scored four goals as the Bees moved twenty two points clear of third place at Adams Park. Victory in the next league game against Stevenage will guarantee promotion with seven games remaining. Wycombe went ahead through Will Keane but an inspired thirty-minute spell from El Azzouzi put Brentford back in front before Ludovic Gamboa added a fifth in the second half, meaning that Gianfranco Zola's side have now scored twelve goals in three games against Gary Waddock's men this season.
Brentford hammered the Chairboys 6-2 in their previous visit to Adams Park in November but the home side looked to have rewritten the script as they took the lead in the sixth minute. Some uncharacteristically poor defending from the Bees allowed Jamie Mole time to cut the ball back for on-loan Manchester United youngster Keane to prod past Richard Lee. Brentford levelled nine minutes later as Clayton Donaldson skinned Andy Sandell and supplied a perfectly-weighted through ball for the onrushing El Azzouzi, who finished clinically.
Ludovic Gamboa bagged a brace in the previous fixture and the winger caused the Wycombe defence plenty of problems once again. He curled an in-swinging corner into the area for El Azzouzi to power home his second goal in the twenty-sixth minute. A rout looked to be oncoming but the hosts regrouped and Zola will have words with his defenders after a carbon copy of Wycombe's opener. Mole easily turned Mark Beevers and Ryan Dickson and crossed the ball low for Keane. The youngster made no mistake and struck the ball home calmly.
El Azzouzi completed his second hat-trick of the season in the forty-third minute. Dickson spotted the striker's run from his own box, smashing the ball down the pitch for the Frenchman, who rolled the ball past Nikki Bull. The former Bees stopper must have been sick of the sight of Brentford's prolific frontman when he grabbed his fourth just fourteen seconds into the second half from another superb Gamboa assist. Stefan Velev's flick-on provided the fifth goal as Gamboa ran clear to clip the ball into the back of the net.
Brentford (4-2-3-1)
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Beevers, Dickson (Logan 76) - Douglas (O'Connor 76), Netzer - Donaldson (Forrester 66), Velev, Gamboa - El Azzouzi.
Substitutes: Moore, Grella.
#320852 The Brentford Project
Taz.
WALSALL 1-3 BRENTFORD
Sat 17 Mar - 15:00 - Bescot Stadium
Niall McGinn scored twice as Brentford comfortably defeated struggling Walsall.
The Northern Irishman found the back of the net in both halves against the Saddlers, who cancelled out McGinn's opener through Jon Macken but were reduced to ten men after the break when former Bees midfielder Marcus Bean was sent off. Karleigh Osborne also found the back of the net for Brentford, who are now twenty two points clear of third-placed Sheffield United and look certainties for promotion to the Championship. The victory also maintains Gianfranco Zola's side's one-point lead over title challengers Preston.
Brentford welcomed injured attacking duo Clayton Donaldson and Yassin El Azzouzi back into the starting eleven and the two strikers linked up well to test Jimmy Walker in the opening minute. The hosts had won just one of their last seven games and there was a sense of the inevitable at the Bescot Stadium when McGinn put the Bees ahead in the fifth minute, floating an audacious twenty-yard effort into the top corner. Donaldson's finishing looked slightly rusty and the striker should have grabbed a second when he fired straight at Walker.
Macken levelled when Piero Mingoia's effort bounced off the woodwork into his path but the Bees produced a confident away performance and were soon back in front two minutes after the break. Darryl Westlake impressed against his former club and he burst down the right flank, slipping a clever ball through for McGinn to strike into the bottom corner. The on-loan Celtic winger then turned provider for Osborne, who outmuscled Richard Taundry in the air to secure a straightforward win for the title-chasing Bees.
Brentford (4-4-2)
Lee - Westlake (Logan 76), Osborne, Trevisan, Dickson - McGinn, Douglas (Forrester 76), Velev (O'Connor 73), Gamboa - Donaldson, El Azzouzi.
Substitutes: Moore, Netzer.
#320851 The Brentford Project
Taz.
The current table (pre-Walsall and Wycombe games)
#320685 The Brentford Project
Taz.
Zola wary of fixture pile-up
Gianfranco Zola has admitted that Brentford's hectic fixture schedule will be a big test for his squad.
The Bees will play five games in the space of fourteen days, starting with their trip to relegation battlers Walsall on Saturday. Brentford are a massive nineteen points clear of third-placed Sheffield United and within touching distance of promotion but Zola remained cautious over the impact that the fixture pile-up could have on his squad's title chances. Title rivals Preston are just a point behind the Bees after last weekend's dramatic 3-3 draw against Charlton and with both sides virtually guaranteed promotion, the title is firmly up for grabs.
"It will be the hardest part of the season," the forty five year old told the Times, ahead of a packed schedule that includes his side's trip to Wembley in the final of the Football League Trophy. "I can remember thinking that the run of games in the Premier League was tough for the players but this is a different kind of test. We have a lot of important games. We can't rush around too much. Promotion is the biggest thing but I would be lying if I said that I hadn't thought about winning the league. It would be a fantastic end to the season."
"We are going to a lot of teams that will be fighting relegation and they will make it hard for us. Walsall beat Preston a few weeks ago, so we know what they can do if you take your eye off the ball. We've got a great spirit in the team and I think it will serve us well for these coming games. It's not an ideal situation but I have a lot of faith in my players as a group and we will stick together. I thought we were fantastic in the second half against Charlton, we showed great character to get that late goal and that's what you need to win the league."
#320681 The Brentford Project
Taz.
BRENTFORD 3-3 CHARLTON
Sat 10 Mar - 15:00 - Griffin Park
Harry Forrester's last-minute equaliser rescued a point as Brentford mounted a late recovery against Charlton.
Charlton looked set to become the first away side to win at Griffin Park in the league this season and led 3-1 going into the final eight minutes. Two goals from Yann Kermorgant gave the Addicks a two-goal advantage in the first half before Niall McGinn pulled one back for Gianfranco Zola's side. Matt Taylor's strike looked to have sealed three points for Charlton but Stefan Velev gave the Bees hope in the closing stages. Forrester stole a point for Brentford in the third minute of stoppage time in a pulsating London derby.
The visitors went ahead from the spot in the eighth minute. Mark Beevers upended Scott Wagstaff as they sparred to meet Andy Hughes' cross and referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot. Kermorgant stepped up and rifled the ball past Richard Lee. The Bees goalkeeper then denied Bradley Wright-Phillips as the Addicks searched for another win to aid their push for the play-offs. Danny Hollands teed up on-loan Tottenham winger Andros Townsend, who slammed his effort against the upright as Brentford struggled to resist a first-half onslaught.
Kermorgant glanced in Hughes' corner at the near post in the thirty-seventh minute but McGinn swiftly halved the deficit two minutes later. Philipp Netzer drilled the ball forward and Yassin El Azzouzi laid it off for the Northern Irish international, who drove the ball low past Ben Hamer. Stefan Velev nearly levelled before Charlton's third goal left the Bees perilously close to their first home defeat of the season. Mikel Alonso flicked on Hollands' long throw-in and centre-back Taylor's powerful strike soared into the roof of the net.
Only inches separated Kermorgant from a hat-trick and with just eight minutes left on the clock, a defeat looked on the cards for Brentford. Velev offered Zola's side a glimmer of hope as Darryl Westlake's teasing cross evaded the Addicks defence, allowing the Bulgarian midfielder to slide the ball home. Forrester has emerged as one of the Bees' biggest stars in recent weeks and he was the man to claim the equaliser in the third minute of injury time. McGinn whipped a corner into the area and the winger's header crashed into the back of the net.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Beevers (O'Connor 45), Dickson - Douglas (Grella 59), Netzer - Madden (Forrester 59), Velev, McGinn - El Azzouzi.
Substitutes: Moore, Logan.
#320567 The Brentford Project
Taz.
BEES CHAT - HARRY FORRESTER
Published: Thurs 8 Mar 2012 - By Ciaran Brett
Winger Harry Forrester sat down with the official site to discuss life as a Brentford player.
His recent form...
"It's great to be getting a run in the team, it's really helped to develop my confidence and I think I can make the spot my own. We've got a lot of talented players and it drives you on, you want to make sure that you're getting the start. I've sharpened up my finishing, it's been something that I've worked on in training, just keeping a clear head and striking the ball cleanly. I think that's showed in the last few games. I might have to put a little wager amongst the lads, I've stepped it up!"
The rest of the season...
"Win every game, get on the plane for the Euros, right? We set the goal at the start of the season to go up. I think we've done really well to be where we are, the JPT game is going to be massive and I can't wait for Wembley. Promotion is the main target but I definitely think we can win the title. The Preston game was a massive boost and I think we can beat any team in the league. It'd be huge for the club to go up to the Championship and maybe even push on from there."
Life in the dressing room...
"It's very positive. I think we all wondered what it would be like at the start of the season with the new manager and the new players coming into the club but I can't fault the new lads, everyone has fit in well. We all want the same thing, there's no divisions. It's very important at this stage of the season, we stick together and fight for each other on the pitch. It helps having a lot of players the same age about, we've all got interests in common and it's a nice, friendly atmosphere."
Team-mates...
Best Trainer - Shay Logan has bags of stamina, he's very hard-working and is always in the gym working on his fitness.
Best Skills - Got to be me for that one! Or the gaffer, his knees are a bit gone but you can tell that he was a world-class player.
Hardest - Toumani is a big, strong lad, it's not too nice to be on the receiving end of a challenge from him.
The Joker - There's a fair few. Me, Mark Beevers, Paddy, it's a young squad and we all like a laugh.
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#320563 The Brentford Project
Taz.
BOURNEMOUTH 1-2 BRENTFORD
Tues 6 Feb - 19:30 - Dean Court
Brentford came from behind to beat Bournemouth and move another step closer to promotion.
Marcel Eger's second-half winner means that the Bees have now established a sizeable eighteen-point lead over third-placed Sheffield United, although there are still eleven games remaining. Rowan Vine had given the Cherries an early lead at Dean Court but Mike Grella levelled for Brentford before the big German nodded in after the break. Brentford remain just three points ahead of title rivals Preston but their latest victory looks to be another win on the road to Championship football for Gianfranco Zola's side next season.
Bournemouth came racing out of the blocks in front of a 5,300-strong crowd and went ahead in the third minute. Karleigh Osborne was caught out of position by Shaun MacDonald's lofted pass and on-loan QPR striker Rowan Vine was the man to profit, running clear to drive the ball into the bottom corner. Michael Symes then almost grabbed a second as MacDonald ran the show from midfield. Paddy Madden hit the side netting after the Bees striker weaved through the Bournemouth defence before playing a key role in the equaliser.
The Irishman cruised past Adam Barrett and played an inch-perfect ball for Grella, who was left unmarked to roll the ball past Shwan Jalal. The goal gave Brentford a vital boost in the second half and Sam Saunders nearly put the Bees ahead, forcing Jalal to tip his fierce shot over the bar. From the resulting corner, Stefan Velev whipped the ball into the box and Eger rose highest, glancing the ball into the back of the net off the crossbar. Osborne redeemed himself late on with a last-ditch challenge as Andres Oper shaped up to level the score.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Eger, Dickson (Logan 89) - Saunders (O'Connor 54), Douglas (Netzer 76), Velev, Forrester - Grella, Madden.
Substitutes: Moore, Weston.
#320562 The Brentford Project
Taz.
#320412 The Brentford Project
Taz.
BRENTFORD 3-1 HARTLEPOOL
Sat 3 Mar - 15:00 - Griffin Park
Harry Forrester's late brace proved just enough for Brentford to see off bottom side Hartlepool.
The Bees looked set for a disappointing draw in a clash between the two sides at opposite ends of League One. Adam Boyd's penalty cancelled out Yassin El Azzouzi's opening goal but Forrester popped up in the final stages to score two goals in the space of five minutes, protecting the Bees' three-point lead at the top of the table. Hartlepool remain bottom but the visitors were a serious challenge at times for Gianfranco Zola's side, who recorded just three shots on target but maintained the only unbeaten home record in the Football League.
Kenyan international Patrick Osiako proved dangerous for the away side and the midfielder twice went close in the first half. He combined with Mark Carrington before firing wide and Richard Lee then made a smart save, holding onto Osiako's low shot as Hartlepool threatened to spring a surprise on Zola's men. The Bees took the lead against the run of play in the thirty-eighth minute. Paddy Madden raced down the right wing and delivered a great ball for El Azzouzi to slam into the roof of the net, claiming his tenth league goal of the season.
Boyd levelled from the spot moments before the break after Marcel Eger's foul. Zola has paid tribute to Lee's form in recent weeks and the Bees stopper kept his side in the game, making a point-blank save to deflect Carrington's strike over the crossbar. Forrester dealt the crucial blow in the seventy-seventh minute, latching onto Darryl Westlake's long ball and slotting past Scott Flinders. The tricky winger piled on the misery for Hartlepool five minutes later. Forrester again outpaced Sam Collins to a long clearance to fire home the Bees' third.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Eger, Dickson - Forrester, Taylor (O'Connor 77), Douglas, Weston - El Azzouzi (Velev 77), Madden (Netzer 45).
Substitutes: Moore, Logan.
#320411 The Brentford Project
Taz.
SKIPPER PROUD OF FIGHTING SPIRIT
Published: Sun 26 Feb 2012 - By Ciaran Brett
Brentford captain Kevin O'Connor paid tribute to his team-mates after a memorable win over Preston.
The Irishman told the official site of his pride after the Bees completed a superb turnaround against the league leaders on their home turf. Goals from Paddy Madden, Marcel Eger and Myles Weston overturned a two-goal deficit and ensured that Brentford replace Preston at the top of League One. O'Connor was introduced at half time and played an instrumental role in midfield in the second half, marshalling Brentford to a crucial victory at Deepdale. The thirty year old congratulated his team-mates on a breathtaking second half.
"The lads have put in a massive performance to turn that around," O'Connor said. "We had an absolute nightmare dealing with Preston's strikers in the first half but Paddy pulled one back and we started to grow in confidence. The gaffer made some changes, switched things up and I couldn't be prouder of how we got that win. We all knew the importance of the game and I think we proved a lot of people wrong. We made mistakes but we didn't give up. We might have done it the hard way but everyone in the dressing room is absolutely buzzing now."
"We went 2-0 down and I was very worried," Bees head coach Gianfranco Zola admitted in his post-match interview. "We gave Preston a lot of space and Dickie made the saves to keep us in the game. It could have got worse but we reacted and I thought the players were brilliant in the second half. The attacking movement was wonderful to watch and everyone is feeling great. I wanted to run onto the pitch when Myles scored, it was a fantastic moment. The atmosphere is very good, we want to keep winning games and get promotion."
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#320291 The Brentford Project
Taz.
PRESTON 2-3 BRENTFORD
Sat 25 Feb - 15:00 - Deepdale
Brentford returned to the top of League One after a stunning fightback against title rivals Preston.
Gianfranco Zola masterminded an unbelievable two-goal comeback to knock the Lilywhites off the top of the league. The Bees boss must have been fearing the worst when his side went two goals down following Iain Hume and Milan Lalkovic's efforts but Paddy Madden pulled a goal back before the break. Marcel Eger drew Brentford level before Myles Weston capped off an amazing turnaround, sealing a vital win in the race for the title. Zola's side are now three points clear at the top and a massive twelve points clear of third place.
The hosts kicked off the game with only goal difference separating the two sides but there was a substantial difference in quality in the first half hour. Preston dominated the first half and almost went ahead in the first minute as Richard Lee made an excellent save to deny Hume. The Bees goalkeeper tipped Clarke Carlisle's header over the crossbar and Barry Nicholson sent a long-range effort inches wide. Hume opened the scoring in the twenty-ninth minute, running the length of the Bees half on the counter before slotting home.
Preston doubled their lead just five minutes later. Mike Grella headed away Alex Billington's free kick but Lalkovic collected the loose ball and blasted a sublime twenty five-yard effort into the top corner. The shellshocked Bees had to regroup quickly and to Zola's men's credit, Madden's thirty sixth-minute goal was the jumpstart that they needed. Jonathan Douglas played the crucial pass, spotting the Irishman at just the right moment. The young striker sped past Billington and curled the ball out of Preston stopper Iain Turner's reach.
Brentford looked reinvigorated after the break and Eger claimed the equaliser just eight minutes into the second half as the big German centre-back nodded in Stefan Velev's corner. Both sides knowing that the next goal would offer a huge advantage, Lee made another vital save after Ian Ashbee sent Nicholson clear. The eventual winner arrived in the seventieth minute as Weston broke down the left flank, cut inside and hammered the ball home from the edge of the box, sparking pandemonium amongst the travelling Bees contingent.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Logan (Taylor 78), Osborne, Eger, Dickson - Forrester (O'Connor 45), Douglas, Velev (Weston 54), Netzer - Madden, Grella.
Substitutes: Moore, Saunders.
#320249 The Brentford Project
Taz.
BRENTFORD 0-0 HUDDERSFIELD
Wed 22 Feb - 19:45 - Griffin Park
Brentford were left to rue a series of missed opportunities after failing to break down Huddersfield.
The visitors aimed to frustrate Gianfranco Zola's men and the Bees struggled to find a way through a compact away defence at Griffin Park. Brentford remain behind Preston on goal difference after playing their game in hand against the mid-table Terriers. The Bees head coach will have cursed his team's lack of clinical finishing as their four-match winning run came to an end. Zola's side took fifteen shots but hit the target on just three occasions despite putting plenty of pressure on the Huddersfield backline.
Brentford squandered a fine opportunity to go ahead in the first minute of the game, setting up a frustrating evening. Shaleum Logan was handed a rare start on the right wing and the pacy utility man broke down the flank and supplied Myles Weston. The winger was left unmarked as he drifted inside but Weston fired wide. Stefan Velev also missed the target with a wild effort. Jonathan Douglas had the best chance of the first half for the Bees, stealing the ball from Jordan Rhodes' clearance before sending a dipping half-volley just over the crossbar.
Zola introduced Mike Grella at half time for some more firepower and the change almost had an immediate effect. Douglas split the defence with a superb through ball but the American drove his shot into the woodwork. It was a similar story for strike partner Paddy Madden as the Irishman was left one-on-one with Alex Smithies, only to smash the ball straight at the goalkeeper. Richard Lee prevented a painful defeat in the last minute as he turned away Davor Bubanja's effort but a goalless draw represented a disappointing return for the Bees.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - O'Connor, Osborne, Eger, Dickson (Grella 45) - Douglas (Forrester 64), Netzer - Logan, Velev (Diagouraga 74), Weston - Madden.
Substitutes: Moore, Woodman.
#320155 The Brentford Project
Taz.
Zola hopes to punish Preston
Gianfranco Zola has urged Brentford to capitalise on leaders Preston's weekend slip-up.
After two separate postponements, the Bees will finally play their game in hand against Huddersfield tonight. Brentford will return to the top of the League One table with a victory after Preston were beaten 1-0 by relegation battlers Walsall on Saturday. The Italian rallied his side in his pre-match press conference, insisting that the title remained the Bees' ultimate ambition for the season. Huddersfield currently lie sixteenth in the table and a win is sure to boost morale ahead of Zola's side's crucial trip to Preston at the weekend.
"We have to take advantage," the forty five year old said. "Results came together for us at the weekend and we've got a great opportunity to take the lead. We've been waiting a while to play this game. I would always choose to lead rather than chase and the players agree with me. Huddersfield are a solid side that are maybe looking to kickstart their season a little and we have to be careful. We are missing a fair few players but we've got the right mentality throughout the squad and I would expect us to get a good result."
The Bees boss has a mounting injury list and Zola will be missing Darryl Westlake, Trevor Trevisan and Niall McGinn this evening. Westlake sustained a rib injury against Oldham, while Trevisan and McGinn both picked up knocks on Saturday and are unlikely to make an appearance. The trio will join Mark Beevers, Clayton Donaldson, Yassin El Azzouzi and Ludovic Gamboa on the sidelines. Shaleum Logan and skipper Kevin O'Connor are expected to fill the two empty slots on the right flank against Huddersfield.
#320118 The Brentford Project
Taz.
BRENTFORD 2-1 OLDHAM
Sat 18 Feb - 15:00 - Griffin Park
Brentford narrowed the gap to top spot to just a point with a routine victory over Oldham.
The Latics have emerged as play-off contenders following three wins in their last four games but Gianfranco Zola's men made their dominance tell with two second-half goals. Oldham goalkeeper Trevor Carson turned the ball into his own net before Mike Grella claimed his first strike since returning from injury. James Tarkowski headed in a consolation but it could not prevent a third straight league win for the Bees, who capitalised on leaders Preston's defeat against struggling Walsall and now lie just a point behind with a game in hand.
Brentford looked on top in the first half and the Bees were unlucky not to go in ahead at the break. Zola's men made their title-chasing intentions clear in the opening five minutes as Niall McGinn posed a serious threat to the visitors on the right flank. The on-loan Celtic winger forced countryman Carson into a good save before cannoning a header off the crossbar following Paddy Madden's dinked ball across the box. Carson held Stefan Velev's effort before denying Grella with his fingertips after the American striker weaved through the defence.
Darryl Westlake limped off injured to Zola's concern before the Bees finally took the lead in the fifty-ninth minute. McGinn's cross bounced off Jean-Yves M'Voto and Carson fumbled the ball over the line. Grella added a quickfire second, latching onto Velev's volleyed pass to produce an exquisite chipped finish. Madden nearly claimed a third goal in stoppage time when he was sent one-on-one by Philipp Netzer but the final goal of the day arrived in the ninety-fourth minute as Tarkowski nodded Filipe Morais' corner past Richard Lee.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake (Logan 56), Osborne, Trevisan, Dickson - McGinn (Weston 67), Douglas, Velev (Netzer 74), Forrester - Madden, Grella.
Substitutes: Moore, O'Connor.
#320053 The Brentford Project
Taz.
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#320052 The Brentford Project
Taz.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 2-3 BRENTFORD
Tues 14 Feb - 19:45 - Hillsborough
Brentford staved off a late fightback from Sheffield Wednesday to secure an impressive away win.
Gianfranco Zola's men were in scintillating form at Hillsborough, racing into a three-goal lead before two late goals from the home side made things close in the final ten minutes. Ludovic Gamboa scored twice and there was a fourth goal in five games for Paddy Madden, who has enjoyed a superb start to life with the Bees. The victory means that Brentford close the gap to leaders Preston to just four points with a game in hand, while defeat for Sheffield United sees the Bees establish a ten-point buffer on third place.
Madden has enjoyed a bright start to life at Griffin Park and the former Carlisle striker looked particularly threatening in the first half. Stefan Velev played a neat ball to the young Irishman and Madden was unlucky to see his effort pushed away by Nicky Weaver after beating two defenders. Playing as the sole striker, Madden linked up well with Gamboa to lay on the opening goal in the sixteenth minute. After collecting Jonathan Douglas' pass, Madden chipped the ball through for Gamboa to race clear and smash the ball into the back of the net.
Gamboa has been lethal on the counter this season and his pace came in good use as Brentford claimed a second goal on the stroke of half time. Douglas lofted the ball forward for Velev, who picked out the onrushing Frenchman at the far post to slam it home. The Bees looked to be on the road to another rout after extending the lead in the forty-ninth minute. Ryan Dickson played the pass of the game from his own half, splitting the defence and releasing Madden. The youngster sprinted clear on goal and calmly slotted the ball past Weaver.
With the words of boss Gareth Southgate no doubt stinging their ears, the hosts were much-improved in the second half and pulled one back through Gary Madine when the striker beat former Owls man Mark Beevers to Julian Bennett's cross. With eight minutes later, an unlikely comeback seemed possible as Clinton Morrison surged forward to drive James O'Connor's ball past Richard Lee. Gianfranco Zola had the Bees stopper to thank in stoppage time as Lee made a fantastic save to deny Morrison's powerful effort and cling onto all three points.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Beevers, Dickson (O'Connor 76) - Douglas (Taylor 82), Netzer - Forrester (Logan 63), Velev, Gamboa - Madden.
Substitutes: Moore, Grella.
#319855 The Brentford Project
Taz.
Zola: No word from Newcastle
Gianfranco Zola has laughed off any rumours that he was set to take over at Newcastle.
The Bees head coach was in high spirits after watching his side hammer Carlisle 6-1 at Griffin Park yesterday and addressed previous speculation that he had been approached to replace Alan Pardew at St. James' Park. The Premier League strugglers appointed former Porto and Chelsea manager André Villas-Boas as their new boss yesterday morning but owner Mike Ashley was rumoured to have been chasing the forty five year old should he have failed to reach an agreement with the Europa League-winning coach.
"With games like that, why would I think of leaving?" the former West Ham boss told the Times after Brentford's stunning win. "I never heard a word from Newcastle and I have no intention of going to another club. I am still developing as a coach and Brentford is a good fit for me. We are building something good here, this is a long-term project. I have heard people talk about my contract and make up all sorts of strange things. I'm completely concentrated on the job and we are playing the right way. It's fantastic to watch and I am very happy."
Although Zola's side still trail leaders Preston by six points, Brentford moved eight points clear of third-placed side Sheffield United yesterday afternoon and have confirmed a place at Wembley for next month's Football League Trophy final against the Blades. Villas-Boas will face a decidedly different type of challenge nearly three hundred miles north of Griffin Park after signing a three-year deal with the Magpies. Newcastle have been dogged by rumours of squad unrest and currently lie twentieth in the Premier League, four points from safety.
#319854 The Brentford Project
Taz.
BRENTFORD 6-1 CARLISLE
Sat 11 Feb - 15:00 - Griffin Park
Paddy Madden scored twice against his former club as Brentford demolished Carlisle.
The Bees captured their biggest win of the season in a stunning display at Griffin Park. A superb performance from Gianfranco Zola's side saw five different players get on the scoresheet. Harry Forrester, Clayton Donaldson and Niall McGinn made it 3-0 going into the break before Madden's brace and a late header from Trevor Trevisan completed the win. Kostadin Dyakov's late effort did little to spoil the visitors' blushes as Greg Abbott's side made the three hundred-mile journey back to Cumbria with red faces.
Forrester was drafted into a more advanced position and the young midfielder capped a brilliant performance with the opener, turning Ludovic Gamboa's cross past Adam Collin in the sixth minute. He then supplied Donaldson with his nineteenth goal of the season, flicking on Jonathan Douglas' pass to allow the striker to drill the ball into the bottom corner. Zola would have been proud of the Bees' third goal, an excellent passing move that saw some superb control from Darryl Westlake and Gamboa and culminated in McGinn driving the ball past Collin.
Donaldson limped off in the first half but the Bees' added strength in depth following the January window was clear as Madden came off the bench to great effect. The young Irishman only arrived at Griffin Park three weeks ago but he grabbed his third goal in a Brentford shirt in the sixty-seventh minute. He gave his former team-mate Lubomir Michalik a torrid time at the back, outpacing the Slovakian defender to poke Gamboa's cross into the back of the net before he claimed his second strike of the afternoon just four minutes later.
Forrester's clever reverse pass freed McGinn but the on-loan Celtic man's effort bounced off the inside of the post. Madden was in the perfect position and calmly rolled the ball over the line. The instrumental Forrester claimed his second assist of the match with nine minutes remaining, stepping up to drift in a corner that was met in the air by Trevisan. Carlisle had endured a punishing game and Dyakov's effort was barely any consolation, the Bulgarian midfielder slotting Peter Murphy's low cross past Richard Lee.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake (O'Connor 64), Osborne, Trevisan, Logan - Douglas (Taylor 68), Diagouraga - McGinn, Forrester, Gamboa - Donaldson
(Madden 26).
Substitutes: Moore, Velev.
#319726 The Brentford Project
Taz.
WE'RE GOING TO WEMBLEY!
Published: Wed 08 Feb 2012 - By Ciaran Brett
Brentford will return to Wembley for the second straight season in the Football League Trophy.
The Bees triumphed 3-1 over Stevenage in the second leg of the southern area final at Griffin Park tonight, meaning a 5-1 aggregate win for Gianfranco Zola's side. Brentford were beaten in last year's final at Wembley by Carlisle but Zola's men will have a chance to redeem themselves next month at Wembley. Fellow promotion chasers Sheffield United will be the Bees' opponents after they completed a stunning turnaround against Carlisle in the northern area final. The Blades won 4-1 at Brunton Park to go through 6-4 over the two legs.
Zola's side have seen off Crawley, Colchester, Wycombe, Swindon and now Stevenage on the road to a second consecutive appearance in the final. Supporters were in fine voice as the Bees cruised past their League One rivals and fans will have the chance to bring along some of Griffin Park's atmosphere when they visit Wembley on 25th March. Brentford slipped to a 1-0 defeat in last season's final against Carlisle but captain Kevin O'Connor insisted that the disappointment of last year would have no bearing on the Bees' chances next month.
"You've got to move on from that sort of thing," the Irishman told the official site after securing the victory. "The club is so much different now to twelve months ago. The boss has really helped us to believe in ourselves and I think we can do it. Sheffield United are one of the hardest teams that we've faced this season but there's a reason we're above them in the league. We've got a hard-working bunch of lads and some great individual talent. I can't wait to get back out on that pitch, I just hope it's the only time we're out there this year!"
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#319719 The Brentford Project
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BRENTFORD 3-1 STEVENAGE
Wed 08 Feb - 19:45 - Griffin Park
Stevenage were no match for Brentford as the Bees secured a place at Wembley.
Gianfranco Zola's side picked up a crucial away victory in the first leg and made the best of their two-goal advantage, winning 3-1 at Griffin Park to progress to the final of the Football League Trophy for the second year in a row. An own goal from Stevenage defender Mark Roberts gave the Bees a first-half lead on the night and the advantage proved just too much for the visitors. Anthony McNamee pulled a goal back for the Boro after the break but late strikes from Myles Weston and Clayton Donaldson ensured a 5-1 aggregate victory.
After defeat to Carlisle in last year's final, the Bees looked eager to earn a second chance at glory and started the game brightly. Stevenage goalkeeper Alan Julian was forced into an acrobatic save when Donaldson sent a powerful effort flying towards the top corner and Stefan Velev's shot went wide after he was set free by Jonathan Douglas. Brentford went ahead in the twenty-eighth minute. Roberts made a sliding challenge on Donaldson as he shaped up to shoot but the ball slid along the snowy pitch, catching out Julian and drifting into the net.
Julian made amends for his error by denying Donaldson just before half time but facing a three-goal deficit, Stevenage needed a miracle to turn things around. In the seventy-fifth minute, McNamee latched onto Jon Ashton's through ball and drove the ball low under Richard Lee but Brentford firmly killed things off with two goals in the final ten minutes. Darryl Westlake's precise cross firstly allowed Weston to blast the ball home before the winger turned provider. Donaldson stabbed Weston's cross in at the near post to send the Bees to Wembley.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Trevisan, Dickson - Douglas, O'Connor (Netzer 72) - Forrester (Logan 83), Velev, Gamboa (Weston 72) - Donaldson.
Substitutes: Moore, McGinn.
#319591 The Brentford Project
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Newcastle trail Zola in new manager search
06 February 2012 - 12.01PM GMT
Newcastle will turn to Gianfranco Zola if they cannot reach a deal with André Villas-Boas this week.
The Brentford manager has quickly emerged as the Premier League strugglers' backup option after their deal with the former Chelsea boss hit a stumbling block over wages. Newcastle sacked Alan Pardew last week with the Magpies lying at the foot of the Premier League. Zola has guided the Bees to second place in League One and is seen as the best alternative should owner Mike Ashley fail to reach a deal with Villas-Boas, who was axed by Chelsea in December after just six months at Stamford Bridge.
Villas-Boas became the second Premier League manager to lose his job this season last month but has indicated that he would be prepared to return to football as quickly as possible. The Portuguese coach was believed to earn around £125,000 per week at Chelsea and Ashley has baulked at offering similar terms on Tyneside. Pardew was the lowest-paid manager in the top flight prior to his departure and the reviled Magpies owner is likely to be keen on another cheap option. Zola reportedly takes home around £1,000 per week at Griffin Park.
There has been no comment from Brentford but owner Matthew Benham is believed to be keen to hang onto the former West Ham coach. Zola and sporting director Mark Warburton are both viewed as long-term appointments for the West London side after a superb start to the season, though the Italian is currently on a rolling contract that would require little compensation. The Bees are currently second in League One, six points clear of third place and looking good value for a return to the second tier for the first time since 1993.
#319590 The Brentford Project
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BURY 1-0 BRENTFORD
Sat 4 Feb - 15:00 - Gigg Lane
Gary Alexander took revenge on Brentford as they slipped to defeat against bottom side Bury.
The Shakers dealt a blow to Brentford's title chances as former Bee Alexander's second-half effort ensured only a second win in nine games for the hosts, who remain at the foot at the table. Gianfranco Zola was left cursing his side's inability to find a way past a well-drilled Bury defence, marshalled by man of the match Leon Legge, who also left Griffin Park for Gigg Lane just two weeks ago. Second-placed Brentford are now six points behind leaders Preston, who claimed a comfortable win over fellow strugglers Hartlepool.
The defeat will particularly sting given Zola's side's dominance of the game. Bury goalkeeper Cameron Belford was on hand to keep out the Bees on several occasions in the first half. Philipp Netzer was making his first start in a Brentford shirt and the Austrian midfielder tested Belford with a powerful strike after he latched onto Paddy Madden's long ball. Niall McGinn then robbed Legge of the ball on the edge of the box and cut the ball back for the onrushing Ludovic Gamboa. Belford got a firm hand to the Frenchman's effort and pushed it wide.
The Bees continued to pour forward before the home side landed an unexpected sucker punch two minutes into the second half. Alexander was the first player to depart under Zola but the powerful striker showed his capabilities by barging Ryan Dickson off the ball. Richard Lee was caught in no man's land and Alexander clipped the ball into the back of the net. Clayton Donaldson has been in fine form for the Bees this season but endured a trying afternoon and squandered two good chances to level late on in a game to forget for Brentford.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Beevers, Trevisan, Dickson - McGinn (Logan 78), Douglas, Netzer (Taylor 69), Gamboa (Forrester 67) - Donaldson, Madden.
Substitutes: Moore, O'Connor.
#319492 The Brentford Project
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BRENTFORD 2-2 COLCHESTER
Wed 1 Feb - 19:45 - Griffin Park
A late fightback from Colchester spoiled Brentford's winning run in a frustrating evening at Griffin Park.
Paddy Madden scored his first goal for the club to put the Bees ahead and a sixth consecutive win in all competitions looked to be on its way after Clayton Donaldson's seventeenth goal of the season doubled Gianfranco Zola's side's lead. Mid-table Colchester scored twice in the final thirteen minutes, firstly through John-Joe O'Toole before Ali Boussaboun's injury-time strike saw the Bees miss their opportunity to cut Preston's lead at the top of the table. Brentford remain three points off top spot with a game in hand.
Ahead of a busy schedule that includes three games in the next seven days, the Bees began the game on the back foot and Steven Gillespie shot narrowly wide after he was teed up by O'Toole. Former Feyenoord striker Boussaboun also had a shout for a penalty turned down by referee Keith Stroud. Madden enjoyed a promising debut against Notts County on Saturday and he bagged his first goal for Brentford in the fifteenth minute. Ludovic Gamboa capped his return from injury with a superb cross for Madden to flick past Ben Williams.
Colchester's front two continued to pose problems for Zola's defence and the Bees head coach had Richard Lee to thank for two impressive saves. He smothered Boussaboun's first effort before pulling off an athletic mid-air save to palm the Moroccan international's long-range effort over the crossbar. Brentford have excelled on the counter so far this season and another rapid transition from defence to attack brought the Bees' second. Harry Forrester raced down the right wing and curled in the ball for Donaldson to slide into the back of the net.
Zola's side were fortunate to go in with a comfortable lead but the Italian will have been irritated by the Bees' late collapse. O'Toole gave the U's a glimmer of hope in the seventy-seventh minute. Lee parried Boussaboun's effort into O'Toole's path and his follow-up deflected off Jonathan Douglas into the net. In the third minute of added time, Donaldson's poor clearance from a Lloyd James corner was seized upon by Boussaboun and the striker blasted in his seventeenth goal of the season to claim an unlikely point for the visitors.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Beevers, Trevisan, Dickson (Logan 86) - Forrester, O'Connor, Velev (Douglas 64), Gamboa (Netzer 78) - Madden, Donaldson.
Substitutes: Moore, Weston.
#319491 The Brentford Project
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TAYLOR TOUCHES DOWN
Published: Tues 31 Jan 2012 - By Ciaran Brett
Brentford can confirm the signing of Tranmere Rovers defender Ash Taylor in a £70,000 move.
The Bees obtained Football League clearance for the twenty year old this morning, concluding deadline day with the arrival of the talented utility player. Taylor is capable of playing as a centre-back or central midfielder and was highly-rated by the setup at Prenton Park, making twenty four appearances so far this season. He has signed an eighteen-month deal with Brentford and will take the number twenty three shirt. The Welshman joined up with the squad today and could make his debut in tomorrow's game against Colchester.
"Ash is a dependable face at the back and exactly the type of player that we like," Brentford sporting director Mark Warburton told the official site. "He's young, English and with a little bit of an added dimension in his passing ability. We've placed a lot of importance on starting moves quickly from the backline this season and that's something that Ash is very capable of doing. It's a big move for him coming from Tranmere, he's been there since he was a young lad but I'm confident that he will settle in here and enjoy his football."
"It was a tough decision but I think it's the right one for me as a player," Taylor added as he became Gianfranco Zola's fourth signing of a busy January transfer window. "I grew up at Tranmere, I learnt a lot there and I will always keep an eye out for their results. Brentford offered me a great chance of Championship football next season and I want to make sure that we're there next year. I believe the club can keep getting better every season. There's a fantastic manager here and I'm looking forward to repaying his faith in me."
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#319139 The Brentford Project
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BRENTFORD 2-0 NOTTS COUNTY
Sat 28 Jan - 15:00 - Griffin Park
Brentford kept a fifth consecutive clean sheet as two second-half goals secured victory over Notts County.
The Bees have enjoyed a superb start to 2012 and collected a fifth straight win against the fourteenth-placed visitors. Goals from Clayton Donaldson and Trevor Trevisan mean that Gianfranco Zola's side have collected the maximum fifteen points this month, which has seen the Bees establish a commanding nine-point lead over third-placed Chesterfield. After a tightly-contested first half that saw Niall McGinn make his return from injury, Brentford turned on the style after the break to see off former Bees boss Martin Allen's men.
Paddy Madden made his debut for Zola's men and the Irishman was the focal point of the Bees' attacking moves in the opening forty five minutes. The in-form striker has scored eleven goals so far this season and he almost had a dream start at Griffin Park. Donaldson set Madden free in the box after combining well with Jonathan Douglas but the youngster fired over the crossbar. The visitors had their best chance of the half when a weighted pass from Neal Bishop found Nathaniel Mendez-Laing free in the box, only for him to miss the target.
It took just six minutes of the second half for Zola's side to open the scoring. Darryl Westlake picked out Madden, who played an inch-perfect through ball for Donaldson to rifle past ex-Bees stopper Stuart Nelson. Donaldson hit the woodwork minutes later in search of his seventeenth goal of the season. Mendez-Laing again squandered a good chance for the away side but the Bees shut up shop in the final ten minutes and Trevisan extinguished any hopes of a comeback by powering in a header from Shaleum Logan's corner.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Beevers, Trevisan, Dickson - McGinn (Logan 39), Douglas, Velev, Forrester (Weston 72) - Madden (Diagouraga 80), Donaldson.
Substitutes: Moore, O'Connor.
#319137 The Brentford Project
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MADDEN ON THE MOVE
Published: Tues 24 Jan 2012 - By Ciaran Brett
Brentford are pleased to confirm the signing of striker Paddy Madden on a four-year deal.
The Irish youth international has put pen to paper on a contract running until 2015 with the club after the Bees agreed a fee of around £130,000 with Carlisle United. Madden has scored an impressive eleven goals in twenty six games this season. The twenty one year old's prolific form for the Cumbrians alerted Brentford head coach Gianfranco Zola, who believes that the former Bohemians youngster has what it takes to challenge the likes of top scorer Clayton Donaldson and Yassin El Azzouzi for a spot in the starting line-up.
"We have had Paddy in our minds for a while," the Bees boss told the official site. "Matthew, Mark and I have been very impressed with his performances for Carlisle. I think he has a bright future and he can offer us a different option in attack. He's got a good spark to his play, he loves to run at opponents and he's got the sort of fearless, direct style of play that I like in young players. I think he will fit into the squad well and there will be opportunities for him over the next few months with the injuries that we have currently."
"The opportunity to work with an absolute footballing legend like the gaffer is something that I knew I couldn't turn down," Madden added as he was presented with the number nineteen shirt. "This is a great chance for me to develop as a player, there's some fantastic strikers in this team and I think I can work well with them and learn a lot. I can't wait to get my head down and start scoring some goals for Brentford. We're in a great position in the league and if I can help us get promoted then I'll be over the moon."
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#318837 The Brentford Project
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TRANMERE 0-2 BRENTFORD
Sat 21 Jan - 15:00 - Prenton Park
Ten-man Brentford survived Karleigh Osborne's dismissal to claim three points at struggling Tranmere.
An eventful game at Prenton Park saw two missed penalties in the first half. Andy Robinson's effort from the spot cleared the crossbar before Clayton Donaldson hit the post. Donaldson immediately redeemed himself with the opening goal before referee Lee Probert showed Osborne a straight red in the second half. Stefan Velev sealed Brentford's third consecutive league win as the Bees increased their lead over third-placed Chesterfield to six points. Gianfranco Zola's men are currently four points behind leaders Preston with two games in hand.
Tranmere have been in the relegation zone since September but the hosts were presented with a chance to take the lead in the tenth minute. Osborne caught Robinson in the area and Probert pointed the spot. The veteran dusted himself off to take the penalty but blazed it into the stands. Brentford kept Owain fon Williams occupied and the Welsh goalkeeper did well to parry Donaldson's effort. Harry Forrester was the man to supply the opening goal. He skipped down the right flank and slid the ball into the box for Donaldson to sweep home.
Four minutes later, Donaldson stepped up to take the penalty after Ian Goodison brought down Velev but he smashed the spot kick off the post. Tranmere were given some renewed hope of a point after the break when Osborne was sent off for hacking down Lucas Akins but Zola reshuffled and introduced Trevor Trevisan to bring some added steel to the backline. Fon Williams just managed to brush Sam Saunders' header over the bar before Velev capped off the win with a low drive from the edge of the box in the eighty-second minute.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Osborne
Substitutes: Moore, Woodman.
#318818 The Brentford Project
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STEVENAGE 0-2 BRENTFORD
Tues 17 Jan - 19:45 - Broadhall Way
Brentford took a massive step towards Wembley in the first leg of the Football League Trophy area final.
Harry Forrester and Stefan Velev were on the scoresheet as the Bees easily overcame Stevenage at Broadhall Way in front of the television cameras. Gianfranco Zola's side restricted the hosts to just one shot on target in a calm and hard-working away performance. Clayton Donaldson earned the man of the match award as the top scorer turned provider for both goals. Brentford will welcome Boro to Griffin Park in three weeks' time as strong favourites to earn a spot in the final at Wembley for the second season in a row.
Donaldson has been in great form this season and almost claimed his fifteenth goal of the season in the third minute. His explosive pace carried him past Ronnie Henry as both players raced to get to Toumani Diagouraga's through ball but his shot flashed just wide of the post. Richard Lee denied Lawrie Wilson's effort but the Bees appeared to be firmly on top in the first half. Forrester was left shaking his head in disbelief as he missed an open goal when Donaldson presented him with an easy chance before Velev sent a long-range effort over.
The tricky winger made up for his miss in the forty-fourth minute. Donaldson swung in a cross and Forrester leapt into the air unchallenged. Chris Day got a palm to it but the speed of the bullet header was too much for the Stevenage goalkeeper. Velev doubled the lead in the second half. Donaldson weaved his way to the byline and cut the ball back for the Bulgarian midfielder, who swept it first-time into the back of the net. Day denied Forrester again in the closing stages as Brentford put one foot in the final of the competition.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Trevisan, Dickson (Woodman 84) - Diagouraga, O'Connor (Saunders 76) - Forrester, Velev, Weston (Logan 67) - Donaldson.
Substitutes: Moore, Eger.
#318691 The Brentford Project
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COLUMN: Zola must use January wisely
The January transfer window could be make or break for an injury-hit Brentford side.
Gianfranco Zola has enjoyed a prodigious start to life at Griffin Park but with the Bees just a point off the top of League One, the likeable boss must face up to the risk of injuries derailing his side's progress. Jonathan Douglas, Mike Grella and the influential Yassin El Azzouzi were all forced off in last night's demolition of Scunthorpe and Zola has to take the chance to strengthen his squad. A couple of important additions could be the difference between a place in the Championship and the lottery of the play-offs.
Brentford have a commanding thirteen-point lead over fourth-placed MK Dons but there seems little point in taking the chance that the Bees' threadbare squad will last the season, especially given the deep pockets of owner Matthew Benham. Few would have thought before this season that third place would be a disappointment but Brentford's backup players have looked vulnerable when asked to stand in and missing out on a promotion spot could mean Zola and his backroom staff's excellent work this season counts for nothing.
The departure of centre-back Leon Legge to Bury for £20,000 this morning means the loss of another rotation option. Zola has done well to bring in Mark Beevers and Philipp Netzer already during the window but an extra goal-hungry striker to compete with El Azzouzi, Grella and top scorer Clayton Donaldson could be what secures Brentford the title. They must also avoid burnout with a hectic run of fixtures to come over the month. It is clear that there are some very important decisions to be made behind the scenes for the Bees.
#318686 The Brentford Project
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BRENTFORD 4-0 SCUNTHORPE
Wed 11 Jan - 19:45 - Griffin Park
A flurry of goals after the break captured a second emphatic victory in a row for Brentford.
Gianfranco Zola's side were handed a rest after Saturday's game against Huddersfield was postponed and the Bees looked full of energy as they cruised past Scunthorpe and earned a second straight 4-0 win. Zola will count the costs of injuries to Jonathan Douglas, Mike Grella and Yassin El Azzouzi but an impressive display means that his side are now just a point behind leaders Preston with a game in hand. Eddie Nolan's own goal was followed in the second half by efforts from Trevor Trevisan, El Azzouzi and Karleigh Osborne.
Clayton Donaldson hit the bar in the first half after El Azzouzi scampered down the wing on the counter but it required an own goal in first-half stoppage time for the Bees to go ahead. After losing Mike Grella to an injury sustained in a nasty collision with Niall Canavan, Shaleum Logan stepped onto the pitch as Zola reshuffled his side and the speedy utility man soon made an impact. Logan outpaced Bobby Grant and whipped in a low cross. Nolan's failure to control the ball saw it bounce off his shin past Josh Lillis and into his own net.
El Azzouzi then hit the woodwork after the Frenchman rattled the post five minutes after the break. Lillis fumbled Osborne's header and Trevisan reacted quickest to poke the ball over the line in the fifty-fifth minute, claiming his third goal of the season. Seven minutes later, Stefan Velev's clever flick released El Azzouzi, who raced clear and slotted home. He limped off in the closing stages after Cliff Byrne's heavy challenge but Brentford's ten men were still not finished and claimed a fourth when Osborne nodded in Harry Forrester's corner.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Trevisan, Dickson - Donaldson (Weston 61), Douglas (O'Connor 6), Velev, Forrester - Grella (Logan 33), El Azzouzi.
Substitutes: Moore, Beevers.