The Bees served up another Christmas cracker at Griffin Park, emerging winners in a five goal thriller after coming from behind twice against Swindon Town.
Brentford were the better side throughout, although Town did look lively on the break whenever Pritchard was involved – the pint-sized Tottenham loanee switching from wing to wing and looked a handful at times.
And it was from Pritchard’s cross that the visitors took the lead – finding Ryan Mason bursting through then neatly planting the ball past David Button.
The Bees weren’t behind for long though, quick responses to knock backs were key to this win and ensured the reds weren’t chasing a draw but a win.
Forshaw and Saunders looked class acts in midfield, central to all creative play and a constant threat. And it was from a Saunders free kick, after going close moments earlier, that Brentford levelled… After a comedy moment that will become legendary.
As Sam stepped up to take his first attempt he slipped and fell over – queue laughs all round the ground and abuse from the away end… Unfortunately for Swindon fans they were laughing on the other side of their faces moments later after Saunders had dusted himself down then smashed the ball past Foderingham and into the back of their net. Saunders’ goal celebration was superb, after receiving congratulations from his team mates he then threw himself to the floor again. Quality.
A hamstring injury to Will Grigg saw him limp off just before the break – he was replaced by Stuart Dallas – we hope it’s not a bad injury.
After going in level it only took Swindon eight minutes to go ahead again… Pritchard’s shot taking a fortunate deflection before finding Nicky Ajose free and able to slot home… However, the goal only served to put a rocket up the home side, who looked in no mood to let the unbeaten run end without a supreme fight.
The Bees went for the kill and played some superb football… McCormack and Dallas supporting Forshaw and Saunders driving forward, with Douglas looking solid and composed against his former club.
It took just two minutes before things were all square again. McCormack’s pin-point cross finding the head of Donaldson, who stooped low at the near post to send Griffin Park wild.
As I said earlier, and in my Tweets at the game, these quick replies meant the Bees were chasing a win rather than a draw, and with 35 minutes remaining, the Bees’ hunger was evident.
Marcello Trotta came into his own, driving at the Swindon defence with a couple of breathtaking runs… And it seemed perfect that it was the young Italian who grabbed the winner… Stretching to toe-poking a dinked Douglas through-ball over the keeper and into the net.
The scenes of festive Bees joy were wonderful all around the ground – the majority of fans would have gladly swapped their Christmas dinners and presents from 24 hours earlier for three points against Swindon – but thanks to another stirring display from Mark Warbuton’s Bread and White Army – we’d had our proverbial Xmas pudding AND eaten it.
Dave Lane
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