The Bees got their 2014/15 pre-season programme up and running with a closely fought 1-1 draw against Hampton and Richmond Borough on Tuesday night – Emmanuel Oyeleke captaining a rookie Brentford team against a very fit and pacey Beavers’ side.
Brentford may have lacked first-team pedigree, but the ethos of flowing football and neat, skillful, passing play, that has permeated throughout the club, was there for all to see. And Hampton, to their credit, did their manager, former Bee Darren Powell, proud too. There was impressive talent on both sides.
Montelle Moore scored a great goal that never was (it crossed the line but the lino was behind play and failed to see it) before Hampton took a very brief lead – The Bee’s Christian Lagos (a player that should be signed up by an aftershave maker, surely) restoring order within two minutes.
Hampton upped the ante in the second half, and the fast-paced matched ebbed and flowed throughout, but the Bees should have grabbed the win when Nial Doran shot a rebound wide of the target.
Hampton once again provided a fantastic ground and friendly atmosphere – this is a friendly fixture that must continue every pre-season. Bees fans wish them well for the new season.
Dave Lane