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#318485 The Brentford Project
Taz.
BEES BRING IN DEFENSIVE DUO
Published: Sun 06 Jan 2012 - By Ciaran Brett
Brentford have completed the signings of centre-back Mark Beevers and defensive midfielder Philipp Netzer.
Beevers has joined the club from League One rivals Sheffield Wednesday on a three-and-a-half-year deal running until 2015. The twenty two year old has spent most of the season so far on loan at Milton Keynes Dons before returning to Hillsborough at the start of the month. Brentford agreed a fee of around £25,000 with the Owls to sign the former England youth international, who made over one hundred and twenty appearances for the club after coming through Wednesday's academy. He will wear the number twenty four shirt.
Boss Gianfranco Zola has also snapped up defensive midfielder Netzer in a deal worth £35,000. The Austrian was spotted by sporting director Mark Warburton playing for second-tier side SCR Altach in his homeland and he has put pen to paper on a contract running until 2015. The twenty six year old impressed the Bees scouting programme with his intelligent reading of the game and committed style of play. Netzer had been ever-present for Altach this season and also chipped in with two goals and five assists in his twenty five appearances.
"I think we've signed two stand-out players for this level," Warburton told the official site. "Mark has a bright future and substantial experience of playing in the Championship despite his young age. He's looked very dependable for MK Dons this season and I think he lends our defence much-needed strength in depth. Philipp is a player that we've watched a lot over the last few months and his ability to start off a move is something that we particularly like. We've had a few discussions about the squad and we'll keep talking over the next few weeks."
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#318465 The Brentford Project
Taz.
EXETER 0-4 BRENTFORD
Mon 2 Jan - 15:00 - St. James Park
Yassin El Azzouzi scored a hat-trick as Brentford produced a merciless display away at Exeter.
The Frenchman was in lethal form against a woeful home side and the Bees could have easily scored more if it hadn't been for the saves of Exeter goalkeeper Artur Krysiak. El Azzouzi scored twice in the first fifteen minutes before completing his hat-trick late in the second half. Clayton Donaldson also bagged a goal as Brentford sent out a warning to their title rivals. Gianfranco Zola's side remain second in League One behind Preston but established a two-point lead over third-placed Chesterfield after the Spireites drew at Yeovil.
The Bees came roaring into the game and required just three minutes to go ahead. Billy Clifford was judged to have handled the ball from a Donaldson throw and referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot. Krysiak almost got a hand to El Azzouzi's shot but the ball nestled in the bottom right corner. The Polish goalkeeper acrobatically denied Harry Forrester before El Azzouzi struck once again in the fifteenth minute. Donaldson robbed Troy Archibald-Henville and cut the ball back for his fellow striker to calmly punish the Grecians' sluggish defence.
The third goal arrived in the twenty-first minute and Exeter must have feared that they were on the way to an absolute thrashing. Donaldson got in on the act with a powerful half-volley from Forrester's corner. An inspired display from Krysiak after the break kept the score respectable. The Grecians stopper turned Forrester's strike around the post before diving almsot the full width of the goal to push away another Donaldson effort. El Azzouzi sealed the match ball in the eighty-fifth minute by nodding home from a Stefan Velev free-kick.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake (Logan 77), Osborne, Trevisan, Dickson - Douglas, Diagouraga (O'Connor 59) - Donaldson, Velev, Forrester (Weston 83) - El Azzouzi.
Substitutes: Moore, Saunders.
#318463 The Brentford Project
Taz.
#318365 The Brentford Project
Taz.
Zola ponders January additions
Last Updated: 27/12/11 - 9.23am
Brentford boss Gianfranco Zola has admitted that he is likely to bolster his squad in January.
Zola's side are currently second in League One on goal difference but the Italian remains keen to improve the team when the transfer window reopens on Sunday. Trevor Trevisan returned from injury against Yeovil yesterday but the Bees still have several injury concerns, especially in midfield. Ludovic Gamboa is expected to be sidelined until mid-February, while Niall McGinn is still out of action after tearing his calf muscle against Colchester back in October. Striker Mike Grella is also still recovering from a back injury.
"It would be foolish to disrupt the team," the forty five year old said. "We aren't going to chop and change too much but we have had a lot of bad luck with injuries. We could use some extra depth in the squad. I'm delighted with how things are going but we have a lot of difficult games coming up over the next month. I have spoken with the owner and the sporting director Mark Warburton and we've come up with a few ideas. We want people that are going to fit into the style of football that we're trying to play."
Brentford spent over £500,000 in the summer as lifelong Bees fan and betting entrepreneur Matthew Benham took charge of the club. They remain the division's biggest spenders and summer arrivals Yassin El Azzouzi, Ludovic Gamboa and Stefan Velev have enjoyed particularly strong starts to their time at Griffin Park. Grella's injury and loanee Marcello Trotta's return to his parent club Fulham could mean the signing of another striker to offer competition with El Azzouzi and Clayton Donaldson up front.
#318317 The Brentford Project
Taz.
YEOVIL 1-1 BRENTFORD
Mon 26 Dec - 15:00 - Huish Park
Billy Gibson's second-half equaliser denied Brentford a Boxing Day win against high-flying Yeovil.
Harry Forrester gave Brentford the lead in the first half but the Bees failed to muster any serious threat in the second half, allowing the hosts to level after the break through Gibson and claim a point. Chesterfield's defeat against Sheffield United means that the Bees end the year locked in a three-way tie at the top of League One. Gianfranco Zola's side would have returned to first place with a win but Preston's victory over Tranmere ensures they remain second on goal difference, with all three sides level on fifty points.
Yeovil have enjoyed a strong start to the season after being tipped for relegation and the Glovers looked dangerous. Richard Lee turned Gavin Williams' effort around the post after Ed Upson picked out the Welsh international. Gibson also forced the Bees goalkeeper into an early save after meeting Alan O'Brien's cross with a powerful volley. Stefan Velev tested on-loan Chelsea stopper Jamal Blackman before Forrester gave Brentford a twentieth-minute lead, slotting past Blackman after running onto Clayton Donaldson's well-placed through ball.
Stand-in skipper Jonathan Douglas fired narrowly wide with a speculative effort after the break before Yeovil grabbed an equaliser in the fifty-sixth minute. O'Brien whipped in a pinpoint delivery for Gibson to rise above Ryan Dickson and head in at the far post. The home side had two decent chances to claim victory in the final ten minutes. Lee came to Zola's rescue by getting a hand to Steve MacLean's effort with the striker clear on goal and substitute Curtis Haynes-Brown smashed the ball wide after robbing Toumani Diagouraga.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Trevisan, Dickson - Douglas, Diagouraga - Forrester (Saunders 86), Velev, Weston (Logan 75) - Donaldson
(El Azzouzi 45).
Substitutes: Moore, Legge.
#318045 The Brentford Project
Taz.
BRENTFORD 2-0 LEYTON ORIENT
Sat 17 Dec - 15:00 - Griffin Park
Brentford recovered from their mid-week FA Cup disappointment with an easy win over Leyton Orient.
The Bees welcomed their rivals from East London to Griffin Park on a freezing winter afternoon and secured a comfortable victory thanks to goals from Karleigh Osborne and Stefan Velev. The Bulgarian midfielder ran the show for Gianfranco Zola's men and captured the man of the match award to go with his injury-time strike, his first goal since August. Brentford remain one point behind league leaders Chesterfield in a tense battle at the top of the table, with third-placed side Preston trailing the Bees by two points.
It was a nervy start for Zola's side as Orient threatened in the early stages. Jonathan Téhoué was the dangerman for the visitors and Richard Lee produced a brilliant save to deny the French striker, who scooped the rebound over the crossbar. Dean Cox also tested the Bees stopper but Lee swept the midfielder's effort up into his clutches. Yassin El Azzouzi combined with partner Clayton Donaldson to cause havoc in the Orient defence and Donaldson would have broke the deadlock if it hadn't been for David Button's smart stop.
Osborne headed Brentford into the lead from Sam Saunders' corner as the snow fell and the Bees went into the break ahead. Despite the -2°C temperatures, Zola's men looked keen to pour forward and Button was the only man stopping a deluge of goals in the second half. He twisted in mid-air to prevent a Scott Cuthbert own goal and when Myles Weston met Donaldson's low cross with a toe-poke, Button swooped low to palm the ball away. Velev finally tied things up with a stunning twenty-five yard free kick in stoppage time.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake (Logan 75), Osborne, Legge, Dickson - Saunders (Eger 78), Diagouraga, Velev, Forrester (Weston 65) - Donaldson, El Azzouzi.
Substitutes: Moore, Trotta.
#318010 The Brentford Project
Taz.
BRENTFORD 1-2 ALDERSHOT
Wed 14 Dec - 19:45 - Griffin Park
Aldershot dumped Brentford out of the FA Cup for the second consecutive season.
It was another frustrating day for the Bees in the second round replay and despite having six shots on target to the visitors' three efforts and dominating the game, Aldershot came from behind to secure a trip to Championship side Doncaster in the third round. Yassin El Azzouzi had given Gianfranco Zola's side the lead but Danny Hylton once again produced a quickfire equaliser. Manny Panther's second-half strike sealed a surprise win for the Shots, who sent Brentford packing in the first round last season.
Zola will mourn his side's inability to finish several good chances in the first half. Harry Forrester spurned a great opportunity after just five minutes. Darryl Westlake broke swiftly down the right and produced a fine cross for the winger, who was in plenty of space but nodded the ball over the bar. Marcello Trotta went one better as his strike crashed off the woodwork before some heroic defending from Ben Herd prevented El Azzouzi's follow-up from crossing the line. Clayton Donaldson also shot wide after sprinting clear of the Shots defence.
El Azzouzi gave the Bees the lead in the twenty-fourth minute, stabbing Forrester's cross past Jamie Young. Hylton earned Aldershot a replay in the first tie and he levelled just four minutes later as the striker headed in Jamie Collins' corner. Trotta again had a near miss at the start of the second half before Panther stunned the Bees. Bradley Bubb laid the ball off for the midfielder, who drove the ball home from the edge of the box. Young superbly denied Trotta and Myles Weston in the final ten minutes to claim an unlikely victory.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Eger, Woodman (Dickson 68) - Donaldson, Diagouraga, Velev, Forrester (Weston 81) - El Azzouzi, Trotta
(Saunders 89).
Substitutes: Moore, Logan, Legge, Blake.
#317193 The Brentford Project
Taz.
Bees defender savours hat-trick
Last Updated: 10/12/11 - 7.29pm
Brentford centre-back Karleigh Osborne admitted his disbelief after scoring his first professional hat-trick.
Osborne has been a menace from set pieces for the Bees this season but few could have expected his three-goal haul against Rochdale as Brentford won a breathtaking game with a last-minute goal from Yassin El Azzouzi. The twenty three year old twice headed in from corners before poking home a third in the eighty-first minute at Spotland, taking him to an impressive tally of seven goals so far this season. The defender spoke to Sky Sports after his side's victory and couldn't quite believe his goalscoring record.
"I feel absolutely speechless," said the Brentford youth product, who had scored just six goals in seven years prior to this year's campaign. "I never thought I'd be the one walking off with the match ball, it was a surreal moment for me. We've worked a lot on set pieces in training, the manager is very keen for us to perfect a routine and it's a good way to get goals. I've got a few this season which I'm delighted with but a hat-trick is something else. It was an unbelievable game and I'm so glad that Yassin won it for us at the end."
Ludovic Gamboa was stretchered off in the first half and it was confirmed after the match that the Frenchman will be sidelined for two months. Gamboa sustained knee ligament damage and joins a long injury list at Griffin Park. Trevor Trevisan, Niall McGinn, Mike Grella and Bees captain Kevin O'Connor are all currently out of action and boss Gianfranco Zola admitted in his post-match interview that he was concerned that injuries are continuing to affect his side's performances following their first win in three league games.
#317141 The Brentford Project
Taz.
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#317139 The Brentford Project
Taz.
#317030 The Brentford Project
Taz.
ROCHDALE 3-4 BRENTFORD
Sat 10 Dec - 15:00 - Spotland
Karleigh Osborne scored a remarkable hat-trick as Brentford won a thriller against Rochdale.
An incredible match at Spotland saw the Bees come back from behind on three occasions as centre-back Osborne bagged his first-ever treble. Ashley Grimes was the first to put Rochdale ahead and Stern John's brace in the second half also twice restored the home side's advantage. Osborne had a reply for all three before Yassin El Azzouzi stole all three points in the final minute. The breathless win means that the Bees maintain the pressure on leaders Chesterfield, who are one point ahead of Gianfranco Zola's side.
Brentford looked to be on course for a dismal afternoon as in-form winger Ludovic Gamboa was stretchered off at Spotland before Dale took the lead after half an hour. Joe Widdowson whipped in a cross from the left flank and Grimes diverted the ball past Richard Lee, who was visibly irritated by the Bees' poor marking. Osborne grabbed his first of the afternoon to equalise five minutes later. Stefan Velev supplied the corner and the centre-back outmuscled Jason Kennedy in the air to nod the ball into the back of the net.
Rochdale began the second half well and a neat passing move between Nicky Adams and Gary Jones culminated in John rifling the ball into the bottom right-hand corner. The Bees remained resilient and again levelled with their next real opportunity. Harry Forrester's pinpoint delivery from the corner was met by Osborne, who rose like a salmon and glanced it past goalkeeper Jake Kean. The game swung the opposite way just two minutes later as veteran striker John put Rochdale back in front once again in dubious circumstances.
The Trinidadian international barged Marcel Eger off the ball and slotted it past Lee to the complaints of the Brentford players. The Bees looked set for a defeat but Osborne completed his hat-trick in the eighty-first minute to make it 3-3. Eger flicked on Sam Saunders' corner into his path and Osborne bundled the ball over the line to his delight. There was still more drama to come as Saunders broke down the pitch in injury time and squared it to El Azzouzi. The striker took a touch and swept the ball past Kean to claim a heart-stopping win.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Eger, Dickson - Diagouraga, Velev - Donaldson (Trotta 62), Forrester (Saunders 76), Gamboa (Logan 27) - El Azzouzi.
Substitutes: Moore, Woodman.
#316808 The Brentford Project
Taz.
ALDERSHOT 1-1 BRENTFORD
Sat 03 Dec - 17:30 - The Recreation Ground
Brentford will require a replay to progress in the FA Cup after late drama against Aldershot.
The League Two outfit sent the Bees packing at the first hurdle last season and the Shots proved to be a thorn in Brentford's side once again in the second round. Jonathan Douglas was sent off in the second half for Gianfranco Zola's men but Clayton Donaldson's goal three minutes from time looked to have finally overcame a resilient home side. Danny Hylton's equaliser a minute later means that the Bees will welcome Aldershot to Griffin Park in eleven days' time in a replay, adding to an already congested schedule of fixtures.
Aldershot began the game in confident fashion after thumping Hereford in the first round and Richard Lee had to be at his acrobatic best to deny the hosts in the opening stages. The Bees goalkeeper smothered Bradley Bubb's effort before making a superb diving save to push Manny Panther's shot around the post. Darryl Westlake returned from injury and the right-back almost claimed a rare goal in the thirty-ninth minute. Ludovic Gamboa swung a free kick into the box but Westlake's glancing header was held by Jamie Young.
Yassin El Azzouzi had a goal ruled out for offside on the hour before Douglas was dismissed nine minutes later. The Irishman hacked down Shots midfielder Jamie Collins and earned a straight red card. Donaldson looked to have sent Brentford through to the third round in the eighty-seventh minute when he seized on Stefan Velev's chipped pass and curled the ball past Young but Aldershot were level within forty seconds. Henrik Breimyr spotted Hylton charging in from the left flank and his speculative shot whistled into the back of the net.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Eger, Dickson - Logan, Douglas
Substitutes: Moore, Woodman, Legge, Trotta.
#316618 The Brentford Project
Taz.
BRENTFORD 2-0 SWINDON
Tues 29 Nov - 19:45 - Griffin Park
Wembley could be just two games away after Brentford eased past Swindon in the Football League Trophy.
The Football League's two Italian coaches went head-to-head and it was Gianfranco Zola that came out on top against Paolo Di Canio's side in the southern area semi-final. Clayton Donaldson opened the scoring before Yassin El Azzouzi's first goal since his return from injury sealed a place in the area final against Stevenage. Swindon are currently top of League Two but a professional display from the Bees ensured a place in the next round and a possible chance to avenge last year's defeat to Carlisle at Wembley.
After failing to win either of their last two games, Brentford came flying out of the traps and Harry Forrester tested visiting goalkeeper Elliot Parish in the first minute as he drifted in from the right flank. Stefan Velev cracked a shot off the post after the Bulgarian midfielder drove into the Swindon box and El Azzouzi should have done better after weaving through the defence only to fire wide. Donaldson finally gave the Bees the lead in the thirty-sixth minute, slipping behind his marker and sliding El Azzouzi's through ball into the back of the net.
Zola's side once again hit the woodwork just before the break as El Azzouzi raced onto Marcel Eger's long ball. The Frenchman bore down on Parish but could only smash his shot against the foot of the post. He finally got on the scoresheet three minutes after half time as Shaleum Logan found El Azzouzi in the box. The striker turned and audaciously curled the ball into the back of the net from an acute angle. Donaldson had a late strike ruled out for a foul on Simon Ferry as the Bees comfortably progressed to the next round.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Logan, Osborne, Eger, Dickson (Legge 60) - Forrester (Trotta 76), Diagouraga, Velev, Gamboa (Saunders 85) - El Azzouzi, Donaldson.
Substitutes: Moore, Grella.
#316463 The Brentford Project
Taz.
Zola stays calm despite wobble
Last Updated: 26/11/11 - 6.57pm
Gianfranco Zola has urged Brentford not to lose faith despite their recent slip-ups.
The Bees have fallen off the top spot in League One after taking one point from the last two games. Brentford are now a point behind Chesterfield in second place after nineteen games. Zola's men have enjoyed an impressive start to the season but a defeat against the Spireites last weekend and today's goalless draw against Sheffield United have raised doubts about their title challenge. The former West Ham boss insisted that his side were here to stay in the race for promotion in his post-match interview.
"We are in a fantastic position," the forty five year old told Sky Sports. "People may talk about last week or even today but the performances have been solid, we've just not taken our chances. We have tried to tighten things up at the back and I thought we defended really well today. Sheffield United are the promotion favourites and I think they had five Premier League players in that team. You have to look at things rationally, look at the budgets and experience. We have a good run of games coming up and the lads should not worry."
Brentford captain Kevin O'Connor limped off against the Blades clutching his foot and the Irishman was confirmed to have suffered a twisted ankle in the aftermath of the game. O'Connor completed ninety minutes but he is likely to spend the next six weeks on the sidelines. Yassin El Azzouzi managed forty five minutes on his return from a hip injury and Zola is likely to ease the striker back into the starting line-up. The Frenchman could feature in Tuesday's game against Swindon in the Football League Trophy.
#316340 The Brentford Project
Taz.
BRENTFORD 0-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED
Sat 26 Nov - 15:00 - Griffin Park
Neither side could break the deadlock at Griffin Park as Brentford held Sheffield United to a goalless draw.
The battle between two of League One's most in-form teams ended in an anti-climax thanks to two well-drilled defences. Gianfranco Zola handed Yassin El Azzouzi a return to the side following an injury that had sidelined him since September but the French striker endured a frustrating afternoon before being replaced by Mike Grella at half time. Chesterfield's win against Stevenage means that the Bees fall off the top of the table for the first time in over two months and lie a point behind the Spireites.
Sheffield United had the best chance of the first half as on-loan Newcastle defender Ryan Taylor sent a free kick crashing just over the crossbar. Kevin McDonald then set Jamie Mackie clean through on goal but Richard Lee denied Mackie's powerful strike with an excellent reflex save. The Bees struggled to impose themselves on the game in the opening forty five minutes and Clayton Donaldson had the only real chance for Zola's side after robbing Matthew Lowton and firing straight at visiting goalkeeper Steve Simonsen.
The energetic Grella brought some extra verve to Brentford's attack after the break and the American striker combined well with Donaldson in the fifty-first minute. Grella played a clever flick for his strike partner but Donaldson clipped the ball wide. Marcel Eger made a crucial tackle to rob the ball from Richard Cresswell in the box and Grella could have claimed all three points in the third minute of injury time. Ludovic Gamboa broke down the left flank and found him free in the box but Simonsen smothered Grella's snatched effort.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Logan, Osborne, Eger, Dickson - Douglas, O'Connor - Donaldson (Forrester 63), Velev (Diagouraga 82), Gamboa - El Azzouzi (Grella 45).
Substitutes: Moore, Woodman.
#316173 The Brentford Project
Taz.
CHESTERFIELD 1-0 BRENTFORD
Sat 19 Nov - 15:00 - B2net Stadium
Leigh Bromby's winner saw Brentford beaten for just the second time this season away at Chesterfield.
Gianfranco Zola's side were made to pay for some poor finishing as the Spireites claimed three points thanks to Bromby's second-half goal. The Bees took sixteen shots but registered just four on target. Newly-promoted Chesterfield climb to second place in League One, four points behind Brentford after a solid defensive performance. Zola threw men forward in the closing stages to chase a point but the Bees lost for the first time in five games, their last defeat coming against Charlton back in October.
The result will be particularly painful for Bees fans after a first half where Zola's men looked in control. Harry Forrester screwed the ball wide after Donaldson's long ball set him free on the right channel and the in-form Ludovic Gamboa continued to pose a threat on the left wing. He carved out a fine chance for Donaldson to nod over the bar with a superb cross before the Frenchman himself narrowly missed the target after breaking clean through on goal. Spireites goalkeeper Tommy Lee also did well to push away Stefan Velev's low, driven effort.
It was a similar story after the break as Gamboa was left red-faced after missing an open goal. Forrester's pleas for a penalty were then ignored by referee Andy D'Urso after the tricky winger was brought down in the area by Bromby. Chesterfield began to grow into the game slowly and Richard Lee brushed Dwayne Mattis' long-range effort over the crossbar. On-loan Watford defender Bromby powered a header past the Bees keeper with seventeen minutes remaining from Danny Whitaker's corner, stealing all three points to Zola's frustration.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Logan, Osborne, Eger, Dickson - Douglas (Saunders 73), Diagouraga - Forrester (Grella 52), Velev, Gamboa (Weston 70) - Donaldson.
Substitutes: Moore, O'Connor.
#315904 The Brentford Project
Taz.
BRENTFORD 4-0 DEAL
Sun 13 Nov - 16:00 - Griffin Park
Brentford came through the FA Cup first round unscathed with a comfortable win over minnows Deal.
The ninth-tier side failed to spring a surprise on the Bees as their fairytale cup run came to an end in comprehensive fashion. Centre-back Marcel Eger scored twice as Gianfranco Zola's men exploited the Kent Football League outfit's lack of organisation at set pieces. An own goal from Deal midfielder Kristin Gregory and Ludovic Gamboa's second-half strike saw Brentford end the match as comfortable winners as the visitors failed to muster a single shot on target in front of the TV cameras at Griffin Park.
The Bees went into the game as overwhelming favourites and the six-level gap between the two sides was clear in the first half. Zola's men could have taken the lead three times before Eger opened the scoring in the ninth minute. Deal goalkeeper Henry Newcombe pushed away Clayton Donaldson's effort in the first minute and Gamboa and Mike Grella both missed easy opportunities. The visiting keeper fumbled Karleigh Osborne's effort from Harry Forrester's inswinging corner and Eger popped up unmarked to poke the ball into the back of the net.
Brentford's second goal was one for the compilation tapes as Gamboa's whipped cross caught out Gregory. His attempt to head clear looped over the goalkeeper to his clear embarrassment. It looked like the match could end in a cricket score but to their credit, Deal kept out the Bees until first half injury time. Skipper Kevin O'Connor's free kick went uncleared and Eger hammered the loose ball into the back of the net. Gamboa added a fourth with a low drive from the edge of the box after the break as Brentford cruised into the second round.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Logan, Osborne, Eger, Dickson - Forrester (Saunders 58), Douglas, O'Connor (Diagouraga 83), Gamboa - Donaldson, Grella (Trotta 58).
Substitutes: Moore, Legge, Woodman, Weston.
#315865 The Brentford Project
Taz.
Deal minnows aim to continue fairytale
• Ninth-tier side make trip to League One giants Brentford in FA Cup
Published: 08:33, 13 November 2011
Deal Town's remarkable FA Cup adventure continues this afternoon against League One leaders Brentford.
The minnows play in the Kent Football League at the ninth level of English football and have already knocked out four sides from higher divisions on their way to a first ever appearance in the first round. The game will be televised live on ITV and Deal boss Derek Hares has urged his side to make the best of their unexpected appearance in front of the cameras. Brentford are the highest-ranked side currently in the competition and have an impressive four-point lead at the top of League One, having won twelve of their sixteen league games.
"We know that whatever happens, we've done amazingly well to get this far," Hares told the Mail as his side prepares for the biggest occasion since lifting the FA Vase in 2000. "I can't think of many teams from our level that have got to this point. It's testament to the lads because they've been unbelievable and really deserve this chance for the whole country to see them play. I think there will be a fair few rooting for us tomorrow. Brentford are a great side but if we work hard and keep things tight then we could cause them problems."
Deal's journey began in the preliminary rounds and Hares admitted that even making the main qualifying rounds counted as a success for the Hoops, who are based in a small town near Dover. After beating Margate in a replay in the second qualifying round, Deal eliminated North Greenford and Concord Rangers to book a spot against Gianfranco Zola's side at Griffin Park. The underdogs are likely to take one hundred fans to West London to take on the Bees and the Brentford boss admitted that his side needed to be on their guard.
"Upsets like this happen every year," the forty five year old admitted. "The FA Cup really inspires these small teams. These matches are massive occasions and they definitely raise their game. It will be a fantastic experience for our opponents and we have to take them seriously. We are expected to win but the style of football at those levels is to make things difficult for the other team and fight for every ball. This is the first time we've been on television this season and we want to make sure that we give people the chance to see our ability."
#315709 The Brentford Project
Taz.
WYCOMBE 2-6 BRENTFORD
Tues 08 Nov - 19:45 - Adams Park
Brentford thumped Wycombe to move into the Football League Trophy area semi-finals.
After a series of inconsistent performances, the Bees were back to their blistering best at Adams Park and registered nine shots on target against a shellshocked Wycombe side. Matt Bloomfield's early goal gave the hosts a surprise lead but the home side were soon pegged back as Ludovic Gamboa grabbed a brace for Gianfranco Zola's side, while Marcel Eger, Mike Grella and Clayton Donaldson were also on the scoresheet. Marcello Trotta capped off a dominant win with his first goal in a Brentford shirt.
Wycombe took the lead after just six minutes in impressive fashion. Stuart Beavon laid the ball off for Bloomfield to hammer a curling thirty-yard effort past Richard Lee. Zola's men soon hit back and were level in the twelfth minute. Gamboa performed superbly and he was the man to fire home the equaliser as Nikki Bull parried Trotta's shot into his path, allowing the Frenchman to stroke the ball into an empty net. Eger headed in captain Kevin O'Connor's corner at the near post three minutes later to give Brentford the lead.
Gamboa grabbed his second goal of the evening in the fortieth minute. Donaldson's low cross took a sizeable deflection off Izzy Iriekpen and Gamboa was in the right place to stab the ball past Bull. The Bees showed no signs of slowing down in the second half and Grella sent a powerful left-footed drive into the back of the net just six minutes after the break. Iriekpen snatched a goal back with a stooping header from Neil Harris' free kick but Brentford restored their three-goal lead within ninety seconds.
Donaldson started and finished the move, breaking down the right wing and whipping in a cross. Dave Winfield's weak clearance was collected by Toumani Diagouraga and the Frenchman spotted the striker skipping into the box, setting Donaldson free to slide the ball into the back of the net. The Chairboys defence repeatedly struggled to clear the lines and Brentford's sixth goal of the evening arrived in similar circumstances as Trotta seized on Iriekpen's mistake to drill home his first goal since joining on loan from Fulham.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Logan (Legge 75), Eger, Osborne, Woodman - Donaldson (Forrester 75), Diagouraga, O'Connor (Dickson 85), Gamboa - Grella, Trotta.
Substitutes: Moore, Weston.
#315617 The Brentford Project
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BRENTFORD 2-1 MK DONS
Sat 5 Nov - 15:00 - Griffin Park
Goals from Clayton Donaldson and Ludovic Gamboa captured a seventh win in nine games for Brentford.
Donaldson's tenth goal of the season and Gamboa's strike after the break saw off MK Dons at Griffin Park, despite the table-topping Bees once again riding their luck at times. Charlie MacDonald pulled a goal back for the visitors but Gianfranco Zola's side held firm and secured all three points. Brentford's twelfth league win of the season means that the Bees have established a nine-point advantage over the fourth-placed Dons, who were unlucky not to come away with a draw after dominating much of the play.
Zola's side remains thin on the ground in defence following several injuries and MK Dons tested the Bees' makeshift backline several times in the first half. Angelo Balanta forced a smart save from Brentford goalkeeper Richard Lee and on-loan Swansea winger Thomas Butler smashed a shot off the post after dispossessing captain Jonathan Douglas. The Bees were the team to take the lead in the forty-fourth minute as Shaun Williams was caught out by Douglas' long ball, allowing Donaldson to race through and slot past David Martin.
Brentford made the best of the slightly fortunate opener and doubled the lead only three minutes after the break. Mathias Doumbé's clearance fell to Gamboa on the left wing and the Frenchman cut inside, skinned Adam Smith superbly and drilled the ball low into the back of the net. MacDonald pulled a goal back on the hour after beating Leon Legge to Balanta's cross but despite the on-loan QPR man having two decent chances in the final ten minutes, the Bees held on to record an important three points against their promotion rivals.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Logan, Osborne, Eger, Legge, Dickson - Forrester (Trotta 75), Douglas, Diagouraga (O'Connor 61), Gamboa (Saunders 72) - Donaldson.
Substitutes: Moore, Woodman.
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DOUBLE INJURY BLOW FOR BEES
Published: Tues 01 Nov 2011 - By Ciaran Brett
Gianfranco Zola faces a selection headache after injuries to Darryl Westlake and Trevor Trevisan.
The defensive duo limped out of training yesterday and were sent for scans. Westlake has suffered a badly twisted ankle and will be sidelined for up to a month, while Trevisan suffered a double hernia in the weights room and is likely to miss at least eight weeks. Brentford are already without the services of three first-team players through injury. Yassin El Azzouzi, Niall McGinn and Marcello Trotta are all sidelined, while Mike Grella and Stefan Velev are both suspended for Saturday's game against Milton Keynes Dons.
Westlake has been a regular face in the starting line-up since joining from Walsall in the summer. The twenty year old is likely to be replaced by Shaleum Logan while he recovers from a painful ankle injury but Zola faces a dilemma over replacing his compatriot Trevisan, who is on loan from Serie B side Padova. The Bees boss has experimented with a five-man defence in the last two games but may switch to a traditional four-man backline on Saturday, with Marcel Eger alongside Karleigh Osborne at centre-back.
Brentford have also discovered their FA Cup first round opponents this afternoon. The Bees will welcome the lowest-ranked team remaining in the competition to Griffin Park after being drawn to play Deal Town. The non-league minnows ply their trade in the Kent Football League at the ninth tier of English football and have seen off Margate, North Greenford and Concord Rangers on the way to their first main draw appearance in their history. Brentford were knocked out in the first round last season by League Two side Aldershot.
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STEVENAGE 1-1 BRENTFORD
Sat 29 Oct - 15:00 - Broadhall Way
Brentford were held to a disappointing draw by Stevenage despite taking the lead at Broadhall Way.
The newly-promoted side have established an eight-point gap on the relegation zone and proved a surprisingly tough test for the Bees, who remain at the top of League One. Ludovic Gamboa opened the scoring for Gianfranco Zola's side in the eighteenth minute but the hosts soon pulled back through Josh Walker. Stevenage held firm in the second half and denied a third consecutive victory for Brentford, who maintain a four-point lead over our new nearest challengers Preston with the 1-1 draw.
The home side wasted a good opportunity to take the lead after John Mousinho intercepted Bees centre-back Trevor Trevisan's underhit pass. Mousinho broke into the box but his shot ballooned over the crossbar to spare the blushes of the Italian defender. Mike Grella has been Brentford's main goal threat in the past two games but the American striker turned provider today. He kicked off a slick passing move by finding Toumani Diagouraga. The midfielder picked out Gamboa on the edge of the box and the winger bent the ball past Chris Day.
Walker grabbed the equaliser within ten minutes. Zola's side failed to clear their lines properly after a corner and the on-loan midfielder's powerful long-range drive evaded Richard Lee's clutches. Lee prevented Stevenage striker Chris Beardsley from putting the hosts ahead after the break by pulling off a superb diving save to push away his headed effort. Zola introduced Clayton Donaldson in the chase for three points but Day denied the Bees' top scorer with a low save after skipper Kevin O'Connor sent the striker clean through on goal.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Eger, Trevisan, Dickson (Donaldson 53) - Forrester (Logan 81), Douglas, Diagouraga (O'Connor 73), Gamboa - Grella.
Substitutes: Moore, Weston.
#315183 The Brentford Project
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GRELLA AIMS TO CONTINUE RUN
Published: Wed 26 Oct 2011 - By Ciaran Brett
Mike Grella is looking to make the most of his scoring run after grabbing three goals in two games.
The in-form striker came off the bench against Wycombe and required just five minutes to score his seventh goal of the season, securing another win for Brentford. The late strike added to his brace against Walsall at the weekend and the American believes that he can step up to become the Bees' main man up front. Gianfranco Zola has opted for a lone striker of late and Grella has been battling Clayton Donaldson for the starting spot with Yassin El Azzouzi still sidelined until the end of November.
"I'm delighted with how things are going right now," the twenty four year old told the official site after training. "I'm in good form and I feel confident in taking shots. I've tried to work on my finishing a lot more in training and obviously the boss has helped me hugely. He's an expert in that field and it's brilliant to have him on hand for some tips, he's a hands-on sort of guy and it makes a big difference. Me and Clayton are both fighting hard to earn that spot in the team but the competition is healthy and we know that both of us can't start every game."
Zola faces a pleasant dilemma ahead of Brentford's trip to Stevenage on Saturday. Both Grella and Donaldson have enjoyed productive spells in front of goal, although the American trails his striking rival by two goals in all competitions. El Azzouzi recorded an impressive tally of seven before suffering a hip injury against Sheffield Wednesday in September, while Fulham loanee Marcello Trotta remains sidelined for the journey to Broadhall Way. Niall McGinn is also out until February with a torn calf muscle.
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BRENTFORD 1-0 WYCOMBE
Tue 25 Oct - 19:30 - Griffin Park
Ten-man Brentford claimed a slender win against Wycombe thanks to Mike Grella's late strike.
The American striker's eighty-ninth minute goal proved just enough for the Bees, who were outplayed for much of the game by the visitors. Stefan Velev earned his second red card of the season, leaving Gianfranco Zola's side to play the last twenty minutes with ten men. Grella's finish secured a victory that was harsh on Wycombe, who had thirteen shots but failed to hit the target. A slip-up for early promotion rivals Chesterfield means that Brentford now have a four-point lead at the top of League One.
Zola has preached the importance of a solid defence in recent weeks but the Bees boss saw his side under threat numerous times against the Chairboys, who created several good chances in the first half. Joel Grant fired narrowly wide in the ninth minute and Zola was left relieved on the touchline after Gareth Ainsworth robbed the dithering Ryan Dickson on the edge of the area only to miss the target. Brentford had a penalty shout turned down by referee Chris Foy after a heavy challenge from James Tunnicliffe on Darryl Westlake.
Wycombe right-back Jason Crowe spurned two easy chances to put his team ahead after the break and Zola must have feared the worst after Velev was dismissed later in the second half. The Bulgarian midfielder scythed down Ainsworth and was sent off to the protests of his team-mates. Richard Lee managed to deny Jamie Mole from point-blank distance but late substitute Grella ensured an unlikely win, running onto Jonathan Douglas' through ball and hammering the ball home off the crossbar.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Eger (O'Connor 73), Trevisan, Dickson - Forrester, Douglas, Velev
Substitutes: Moore, Legge.
#308729 The Brentford Project
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BRENTFORD 2-1 WALSALL
Sat 15 Oct - 15:00 - Griffin Park
Mike Grella's brace returned Brentford to winning ways against struggling Walsall.
Gianfranco Zola returned to 4-4-2 after the Bees failed to make an impact in front of goal against Charlton last weekend and his side's attacking threat looked far more potent. Grella and Clayton Donaldson enjoyed an effective partnership against the Saddlers, who lie on the brink of the relegation zone after fourteen games in League One. Grella struck once in either half before a late own goal from Richard Lee halved Brentford's lead. The win maintains the Bees' two-point advantage at the top of the table.
Zola's side have scored a number of early goals this season and it was only eight minutes before the Bees were celebrating in slightly bizarre circumstances. Donaldson's cross was deflected onto his own post by Walsall defender Mat Sadler and Grella outpaced Manny Smith to poke home the rebound. The American striker nearly grabbed a second moments later after spotting visiting goalkeeper Jimmy Walker off his line but Grella's audacious chip floated just wide of the post.
Richard Lee twice denied Saddlers winger Jordan Cook after the break, making two smart saves to protect Brentford's lead before Grella doubled the Bees' advantage. Ludovic Gamboa cut inside and clipped a through ball through for the striker, who rifled the ball low past Walker. Lee's rare error handed Walsall a lifeline as the keeper fumbled Maxime Blanchard's cross into his own net but the Bees rode out the final ten minutes to ensure all three points and a return to victory.
Brentford (4-4-2)
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Trevisan, Dickson - Forrester (O'Connor 82), Douglas, Velev, Gamboa (Logan 76) - Donaldson (Saunders 67), Grella.
#307461 The Brentford Project
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CHARLTON 2-1 BRENTFORD
Sat 15 Oct - 15:00 - The Valley
Brentford suffered a first league defeat of the season despite taking the lead away at Charlton.
Clayton Donaldson's fifth-minute strike looked to have set Gianfranco Zola's side on the way to another convincing victory but the Bees were quickly punished for some lax defending by Danny Green's equaliser. On-loan winger Andros Townsend grabbed the eventual winner with nine minutes remaining, reducing Brentford's lead at the top of the League One table to two points. It was the Bees' first league defeat under Zola, who was frequently frustrated on the touchline at The Valley.
Donaldson's ninth goal of the season arrived after just five minutes as Brentford got off to another bold start. Darryl Westlake's long clearance was miscontrolled by Addicks defender Erik Salkic and the Bees striker punished the Slovenian's error, stealing the ball and slotting it past Ben Hamer. Charlton equalised just six minutes later. Yann Kermorgant spotted a large expanse in the Brentford defence for winger Danny Green to skip into space and drill the ball low underneath the diving Richard Lee.
Harry Forrester and Stefan Velev both had good opportunities but Hamer was up to the challenge and the home goalkeeper did well to beat away both efforts. The dangerous Green was a persistent threat to Zola's side and Lee made an incredible save to keep out his free kick. Velev hit the crossbar after the break but it was the Addicks that captured victory with nine minutes to play. Johnnie Jackson spotted Townsend's darting run into the Bees area and slid through a neat pass for the winger to smash into the back of the net.
Brentford (4-2-3-1)
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Trevisan, Dickson - Douglas, Diagouraga (O'Connor 64) - Forrester, Velev (Grella 82), Gamboa (Weston 77) - Donaldson.
#307341 The Brentford Project
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BEES FACE WYCOMBE CUP CLASH
Published: Sun 09 Oct 2011 - By Ciaran Brett
Brentford will play Wycombe in the quarter-finals of the Football League Trophy.
The Bees' reward for edging past Colchester on penalties in the second round of the tournament is a trip to Adams Park to play the Chairboys, who currently sit twelfth in League One. Brentford will be looking to go one better than their run in the competition last season under previous boss Nicky Forster, when the Bees lost 1-0 to Carlisle in the final at Wembley. Wycombe beat Cheltenham on penalties to seal a place in the last eight of the southern section.
Gianfranco Zola's side are yet to face Wycombe in the league this season but the Bees will play Gary Waddock's men twice in the space of a fortnight following the draw, with the first clash coming in the league on 25th October. Brentford currently lie in first place in League One and have already enjoyed a run in the Carling Cup this season, seeing off Cheltenham and Championship side Millwall before narrowly losing to West Ham. Zola's men have also sent Crawley and Colchester packing in the Football League Trophy.
The tie will take place on Tuesday 8th November, with the winner earning a spot in the area semi-finals.
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BRENTFORD 1-0 BOURNEMOUTH
Sat 08 Oct - 15:00 - Griffin Park
Harry Forrester's winner was enough for Brentford to see off ten-man Bournemouth.
The visitors were reduced to ten men after just seven minutes at Griffin Park but the Bees struggled to break down Bournemouth's packed defence until Forrester scored his fourth goal of the season on the half hour mark. Gianfranco Zola's side restricted the away side to just one shot on target as the Bees claimed a tenth victory from their opening twelve matches in League One. Nearest rivals Preston's 1-1 draw with MK Dons means that Brentford extend their lead at the top of the table to four points.
A miserable afternoon looked to be ahead for the Cherries after Stephen Purches was sent off for a professional foul on Ludovic Gamboa in the opening ten minutes but to their credit, the visitors' compact backline looked difficult to break down. The Bees finally found a way through the Bournemouth defence in the twenty seventh minute as Jonathan Douglas' strike was spilled by goalkeeper Shwan Jalal. Forrester reacted quickest to slam the loose ball into the back of the net and score the game's only goal.
The tricky winger then went close in the second half with a speculative volley from Adam Barrett's clearance, only to see his shot ripple the side netting. Jalal was eager to redeem himself and the Bournemouth goalkeeper did well to prevent any further embarrassment, making two excellent late saves as Zola's men sensed the opportunity for another rout. He parried away Shaleum Logan's powerful drive before touching Brentford centre-back Trevor Trevisan's header onto the crossbar.
Brentford (4-4-2)
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Trevisan, Dickson - Forrester (Logan 85), Douglas (Diagouraga 73), Velev (O'Connor 81), Gamboa - Donaldson, Grella.
#306896 The Brentford Project
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BRENTFORD 1-1 COLCHESTER (4-2 PENS)
Tues 04 Oct - 19:45 - Griffin Park
Ten-man Brentford scraped through to the third round of the Football League Trophy on penalties.
The Bees were well under-par against a Colchester side that Gianfranco Zola's men had beaten 4-0 in their last meeting in August. Ashley Vincent's goal looked to have sent the visitors through but Clayton Donaldson's late equaliser forced a penalty shootout. Zola's side held their nerve from the spot, scoring all four penalties to clinch a place in the third round. Brentford had been reduced to ten men in the first half after Marcello Trotta was sent off on only his second appearance for the club.
Many expected another comfortable victory for the Bees and we started the game promisingly, forcing U's goalkeeper Ben Williams into several fine saves. Donaldson had the best chance of the first half for Brentford, breaking into the area only to find Williams equal to his powerful shot. Vincent grabbed the opening goal in the thirty eighth minute. Steven Gillespie cut the ball back across the box for the winger, who drilled the ball firmly past Richard Lee. Two needless dives in the space of three minutes then saw Trotta handed a red card.
The dangerous Vincent could have ended the game in the second half but Lee made a fantastic mid-air save. With eight minutes left, Donaldson finally levelled by turning Sam Saunders' cross past Williams, meaning penalties. Zola's side rediscovered their attacking prowess from the spot and dispatched all four penalties. Lee swatted away a weak effort from Gillespie and Vincent blazed his spot kick over the crossbar, leaving Shaleum Logan to fire home the winner to a large sigh of relief for the majority of the 1,700-strong crowd.
Brentford (4-4-2)
Lee - Logan, Eger, Trevisan, Woodman - Saunders, Douglas, Diagouraga (Velev 59), Weston (McGinn 45, Forrester 66) - Donaldson, Trotta
#306532 The Brentford Project
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Zola refuses to get carried away
Posted by @Beesotted on Oct 2, 2011 in Articles
Gianfranco Zola has called on Brentford not to let complacency affect their good form.
Zola's men captured a ninth victory in eleven league games in a 3-2 thriller against Hartlepool yesterday afternoon but the Italian insisted that he was not thinking about the five-point cushion that the Bees have established over third-placed Chesterfield. Brentford remain unbeaten in League One, the only remaining team in the entire Football League to be without a defeat, but Zola was clearly irritated with his side's defending at Victoria Park and refused to get carried away when speaking to BBC Radio London post-match.
"I can't fault our attacking play but we can't afford to lose our heads," the forty five year old admitted. "There have certainly been games where we have looked a little sloppy and made simple mistakes. We can't think about the table right now. There have been plenty of sides over the years that have been in a very good position, like we are now, and got over-confident and slipped up. We will look at the errors that were made and try to work on them before the Colchester game on Tuesday."
Few could blame Zola for his frustration with the Bees defending as they were frequently caught out by Hartlepool's veteran striker Colin Nish. Brentford have performed with all of the boss' attacking expertise from his playing days but goalfests against Exeter, Millwall, West Ham and now Pools have played havoc with fans' blood pressure this season, despite lying firmly in the automatic promotion places. Zola's side will take on Colchester in the second round of the Football League Trophy in midweek.