Brentford fans had to endure a nail biting finale to a game that appeared to be done and dusted before half time – but the 3-2 win at Cardiff City was ultimately a fully deserved reward for another impressive performance.
Three goals during the first 45 had the travelling Bees drooling: the flowing counter attacking football was once again out of the top draw.
Cardiff weren’t terrible to be fair, and they carved out several good chances – but the Bees were clearly the form outfit and devastating coming forward.
The opener came following a weak headed clearance from City on 11 minutes which fell to Alex Pritchard lurking just outside the box… he smashed the ball home, and in doing so, scored a goal that inspired the bees to push forward with even more purpose.
Pritchard, who was central to so much, then turned provider when he played in Gray on 22, the striker took a great touch, then calmly dinked the ball over the on-rushing Marahall in goal for the Bluebirds… It was a deft finish that clearly stunned the home side and no doubt had Russell Slade cursing his nemesis in the opposite dugout.
City had a golden chance to claw their way back when Adam Le Fondre was played in… It looked for all the world as if the former Rotherham and Reading marksman would score, however, David Button tipped his shot around the post – one of several superb stops in a game which demonstrated he has come of age as a goalkeeper this season. The let-off clearly didn’t affect the Bees’ confidence and they were straight up the other end ‘wrapping the game up’.
Brentford’s third goal was the pick of the bunch… Jota picked the ball up to the right of the area, dropped his shoulder, skipped past two defenders, then curled the ball into the top corner. The Spanish wizard then almost made it four… Marshall pulling out a superb save and stopping the score line looking well and truly embarrassing at the break.
Brentford and Cardiff fans shared some vocal camaraderie, with the Bees bellowing ‘Your’ll always be Blue, you’ll always be Blue, Cardiff City, you should be in blue…” around the ground… There were some other cracking songs doing the round, that are featured on the ‘Tin Pot Brentford’ Beesotted post-match video.
Jonathan Douglas came off at the break, with Jon Toral slipping into the middle… The substitution clearly unsettled the visitors’ shape and we didn’t look as assured in the second period.
City started the second half brightly and snatched a goal back, ex Bees loanee Kadeem Harris crossing for Noone to head past the exposed Button… a goal that gave the home side a glimmer of hope when previously it had looked as if Brentford would run up a cricket score.
The introduction of Kenwyn Jones really put the cat amongst the pigeons and made you wonder why on Earth Slade didn’t start with the striker… Jones was probably the only player who gave any indication that Cardiff were in the top flight last season.
The long ball City onslaught that Mark Warburton told his players to expect in the second period continued with City basically camped in the Bees half, but thanks to some last ditch defending, and some outstanding keeping, the Bees managed to escape back down the M4 with all three points.
Lessons will be learned from this game no doubt, but we shouldn’t dwell for too long on the contrasting halves… City are another notable scalp, and are a team capable of ripping lesser teams apart, but Brentford taught them a footballing lesson that underpins our credentials.
Boxing Day’s top of the table sell out with Ipswich Town looks set to be a real corker… And Beesotted have a wonderful present lined up. Watch this space!
Make sure you also vote for your Beesotted Player of the Match below.
Dave Lane
Cardiff Post-match Pride of West London podcast
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