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Second half goals from Sam Saunders, Paul Hayes and Stuart Dallas were enough to clinch an encouraging win over Championship side Millwall on Tuesday evening.

There were impressive performances from the new boys – with Alan McCormack, George Saville, Martin Fillo and Jack Bonham standing out in particular. Paul Hayes also looked a lot sharper, and fitter, than last campaign too.

Simon Moore had to be replaced by Bonham midway through the first half after a painful challenge that saw the Bees stopper hobble off – although Richard Lee told Beesotted after the game that he hopes the knock isn’t as bad as first feared. Fingers crossed he’s right.

Brentford took the game to the visitors throughout, the Lions rarely offering much of a threat, but it wasn’t until the second period that things started to click – Sam Saunders lashing home from the edge of the area shortly after the re-start.

Paul Hayes doubled the lead just after the hour mark when he produced a cool finish to beat Steven Bywater, be he’ll be frustrated not to have made it three shortly afterwards when well placed.

Stuart Dallas, who many fans predict will fill the role that Harry Forester has vacated, showed that he has an eye for goal too – the young Northern Irish forward wrapping things up at the death with a clinical finish.

Brentford looked far fitter than Millwall in truth and ran hard for the full 90 in very hot conditions – The Bees clearly have far more strength in depth too. All very positive.

Brentford: Moore (Forshaw, 9mins), Logan, Bidwell (Oyeleke, 68mins), McCormack (Forshaw, 65mins), Craig (Pierre, 73mins), Dean (Dallas, 60mins), Saunders, Reeves, Donaldson (Hayes, 46mins), Saville, Fillo (Adams, 72mins). Subs not used: O’Connor

Millwall: Forde (Bywater, 46mins), Dunne (Paintsil, 46mins), Malone (Shorey, 46mins), Wright (Smith, 46mins), Shittu (Osborne, 46mins), Beevers (Goodman, 59mins), Woolford (Cook, 59mins), Abdou (McManus, 59mins), Easter (Keogh, 59mins), Morison (Cook, 59mins), Henry (Feeney, 46mins). Subs not used: O’Brien, Penny.

Ref: K.Hill
Att: 2,039 (away 453)