Brentford slipped to a 3-1 defeat against Neil Lennon’s revitalised Bolton Wanderers in a game which also saw Alan McCormack ominously stretchered off with his leg in a brace with 20 minutes to go – fingers crossed things aren’t as bad as the travelling fans feared for the no-nonsense full-back.
The Bees, who fielded an unchanged side from the mid-week draw with Sheffield Wednesday, played their part in a fairly even first half and the Trotters’ goalie, Andy Lonergan, had to produce a fine save from Alan Judge to keep his side on level terms before the break.
However, the lack of a cutting edge from the Bees was once again a recurring theme as they failed to really take the game to Bolton until very late on.
The Lennon factor clearly seems to be taking hold though. The home side not only picked up six bookings during the game to show their gaffer more ‘bite’, they also are clearly playing with more tempo and desire.
Bolton broke the deadlock just past the hour mark when Neil Danns unleashed a corker from 30 yards that flew past David Button, before Mark Davies doubled the advantage after a dribbled run and cool finish. It was only then that the Bees really started to produce the kind of football we have come to expect this season.
Sub Jon Toral pulled a goal back to give the Bees a sniff when he controlled the ball well and rifled home. And despite some good pressure, a sucker punch from Davies sealed the win – David Button punished for his up-field wandering looking for a Schmeichel-esque goal during a ‘deep-into-injury-time’ corner thus leaving his net unguarded following a great distribution from his opposite number Londergan.
Two points from a possible nine in the past seven days doesn’t seem to have done the Bees justice. But Bolton were more than a match on the day and deserved the lion’s share of the points. Mark Warburton’s men never found top gear when it was needed and once again lacked bite in front of goal.
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Dave Lane
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