Brentford were worthy winners against premier league Cardiff tonight as they came back from 2 goals down to win 3-2 with a brace from Everton loanee Conor McAleney and a goal from Hayes.
Brentford started the match with goalkeeper Dave Button between the sticks. The Ex Spurs keeper had literally signed only a few hours before kick off from Charlton and was probably still trying to learn the names of his team mates at kick off. Grigg, McAleney and Donaldson formed a potent strike force whereas Craig, out with a knock, was replaced by Kev O’Connor in central defence.
The Bees started slowly. With Joey Barton and Neil Kinnock in attendance, Cardiff aimed to impress them and slowly started to show their superiority over their lower league opposition and came close a few times.
Needless to say, they were soon to go one goal up. After Kev O’Connor slipped, they took advantage of the error to score an easy goal.
Not long after, an error from Bidwell saw him caught in possession and Cardiff were 2 goals to the good.
Cardiff were well in command here and the premier league team was really showing the gulf in divisions between the two leagues.
Halfway into the first half, Brentford started to come more into the game. Cardiff keeper Lewis pulled off a great header from Donaldson and McAleney was looking constantly lively.
There were also chances for Saville and Donaldson before McAleney showed quality in finishing after being fed by Saville. Well taken goal
HT. Brentford 1 Cardiff 2
The second half continued as the 1st half left off and it wasn’t long before Conor McAleney has struck to score his 2nd goal to level the score.
The goal seemed to faze Cardiff who started to make mistakes with McCormack right in there to mop up.
Brentford made a number of substitutions bringing on Fillo, Venta, Saunders, Diagouraga, Reeves, Dallas and Hayes. Cardiff made sweeping substitutions as well.
Fillo held up on the wing well with the Cardiff defenders struggling to even foul him effectively.
And it was written in the stars. Sub Reeves passes to Sub Dallas who crossed for sub Hayes to slot the ball into the net. Cue mild hysteria.
The game ended Brentford 3 Cardiff 2 with Simon Moore allegedly storming into the Cardiff team dressing room to ask the manager if he could possibly reconsider his move to Wales.
No doubt Uwe will be disappointed with the slow start but delighted with the recovery.
We feel the starting line-up will be pretty close to the team to face Port Vale on Saturday bar maybe Craig if he recovers in time.
Brentford: Button. Logan. Bidwell. Sean. O’Connor. Saville. McCormaxk. Forshaw. McAleney. Grigg. Donaldson. Subs: Bonham, Saunders, Venta, Dallas, Diagouraga, Hayes, Reeves, Pierre, Fillo.
Cardiff City: Lewis, Brayford, Hudson, Turner, Taylor, Noone, Mutch, Whittingham, Kim, Bellamy, Campbell. Subs: Marshall, Connolly, Mason, McNaughton, Conway, Ralls, Maynard, Nugent, O’Sullivan, John
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It was McCormack who lost the ball in midfield for 2nd goal. Everyone out of position because of it and he held his hand up to it after the goal but Cardiff took it well.
But huge comeback and on chances created and passing football, to a novice or foreigner, asked which team were Premier League on that performance, men in Red & White win it hands down.
Lets lump on for automatic promotion and very possibly champions. Just need Uwe & management team to believe and commit to us knowing we’re better and proving we’re better than the majority of that division and go for jugular at home and AWAY. Lets do this!!