Brentford produced a thoroughly professional performance to see off plucky Eastleigh in style on an afternoon of happy returns at Griffin Park – both Martin Allen and the mercurial Jota making comebacks, and receiving receptions, that underlined the affection from Bees fans.
Any thoughts of a Cup exit were quickly nipped in the bud as the home side raced to a three-goal advantage in the opening 20 minutes, and although the National League side pulled one back, then hit the bar in a brief spell of pressure, Brentford’s quality shone through and the result never looked in doubt.
Brentford fans were purring at half time having watched their team pass the ball around the pitch in style – Josh McEachran, Ryan Woods and Romaine Sawyers bossed the show – with all three producing some delicious passes to carve Eastleigh apart at will. The quality go the finishing was also out of the top draw.
Barbet’s clinical penalty came as a result of Vibe being felled in the area, Tom Field’s overlapping runs were picked out for the second and fifth goals, but Lasse Vibe’s outside-of-boot beauty, and Sawyers’ thunderbolt from outside the area were the real pick of the bunch.
Five-one up at the break it seemed a case of ‘anything is possible’ in the second half, however, Eastleigh were in damage limitation ‘park the bus’ mode in the second period, and despite another 45 minutes of slick passing, the only real highlight was the sight of Jota stepping out in a red and white shirt again – and we could see what we had been missing.
Jota looked at total ease and really worked hard playing in a free role behind Vibe – the only thing missing was a trademark last minute goal, but he did come mighty close when Sawyers looked to have teed him up with an unselfish cross-box pass that just eluded the Spaniard.
Martin Allen, and his tank top, were given another rousing ovation at the final whistle, one which our former manager expressed his emotional gratitude for.
As you will hear in the Pride of West London post match podcast (click above) Bees fans were in happy spirits after the match, and clearly up for a Cup run, or a special draw in the Fourth Round… So hopefully the draw will be kind to us on Monday.
After several years of Cup flops, and fielding understrength teams that ultimately left fans frustrated, Dean Smith picked the perfect side, and the players provided the perfect intensity and attitude – there were some real positives to be taken from the last two matches, which can hopefully be taken into the rearranged match with Newcastle United next Saturday.
In the meantime, all eyes on the FA Cup draw on Monday evening… Oh yeah, and the bids from West Ham for Scotty Hogan.
Dave Lane
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Given the space Josh can dominate midfield and spray passes around to perfection. Against Championship sides this is obviously more difficult. Maybe a minder in midfield but Romaine and Ryan would be difficult to drop. What to do?
Before listening to the game on Beesworld I watched the Man U Reading game. Most would feel that the keeper Al_Habsi’s error that lead to the fourth goal was the biggest mistake in the game. However when walking off at the final whistle in a game in which he equalled Bobby Charltons all time MU scoring record, Rooney appeared to offer to swop shirts with a Reading player who turned it down. If I read that right I know who made the biggest mistake !!!
Any way here’s hoping for a good draw in the next round I’d like Arsenal but wouldn’t mind Middlesborough as we are overdue a result against them.