SON OF SOBS: BEES

It has been a frantic few days in the week leading up to the closure of the transfer window. Although ours had been more like a transfer patio door the last couple of months, the traffic had significantly slowed down. A defender and an attacker seem to be rumoured, but no out and out striker, with Guiu being our only temporary acquisition. Tuesday night's cup match had ended in disappointment, but was a good run out for some of the new lads and fringe players. I don't think it was too disappointing as we can now focus on the league, as nerve-racking as that might be. Anyway...

Enzo and Nordi where given their first premier league start of the season and Hendo received a warm returned to the SOL. The first time I saw him play I asked my Dad 'who's that?', 'which one?' he said. 'the one with an neck like an owl!' I replied. He had good vision. He seemed to scan the whole pitch in the blink of an eye. Welcome back, Hendo. Sorry you didn't enjoy your visit too much.

The match began much in our favour with and series of dangerous balls into the box. The fact Brentford had picked up more points on the road than anyone else last season was a bit disturbing. Not today, lads. Our plan from early on seemed to be simple - get the ball in the box. We were going like, what is technically known as - the clappers. Reinildo had a shot blocked early on as we pressed incredibly high. The 12th man was in fine voice again as the stadium of light bounced with our every touch of the ball. There was a brief pause in the roar as VAR came to the rescue again the 23rd minute, rightly judging their man to offside as he scored.

As we advanced towards half time our foot was still firmly on the throttle. Alderete had a well taken pop from outside the box but it was blocked. 2 minutes added time just showed how no nonsense it had been. We'd had 3 shots but none on target by half time, but we had dominant in possession. Last week we'd had 530 passes against Burnley - the most we'd ever had against an opposition in Premier League history. Apart from shots on target the numbers were going our way.

Half time.

The second half began and an afternoon of long throw ins continued. Every time they got the ball we managed to press them off it. Hume decided to join his fellow defenders and also had a shot blocked. More 'long' throw ins ensued as the match began to look like one long series of set pieces. Talbi got through their defence, but the young Moroccan couldn't keep it in. We were doing well but we just couldn't get a shot off as The Bees did their best to mop up what we threw at them.

On 58 minutes Brentford were award a penalty. Reinildo picked up a booking for the foul and colourfully complaining. Diarra joined in complaining and got booked too. Bugger. Not so! Roefs to the rescue! The flying Dutchman threw us a lifeline and mopped Schade's shoddy penner. We had to make it count now. 65 minutes in Eli and Talbi made way for Adingra and Isidor. The penalty save seemed to be the shot in the arm we needed. Habib latched on to a cross but could quite wrap his foot round it.

Hendo left the pitch to a deserved standing ovation from the SOL. Thank you for your service, Jordan.

Wilson got punched in the back of the head, which the ref glazed over by ordering him off the pitch. Wilson returned to the pitch just in time to see a soaring header hit the back of our net. Far too easily given away. We had 15 minutes to make every ball count... and we did!

We picked up a free kick, which Hume low and fired on target. But it was put over the bar by Collins. With time running out, could we make every minute count? We would soon see as we were award a penalty with 10 minutes to go. Enzo stepped up, the crowd got behind him and the Frenchman delivered. Gerrin! 1-1. Enzo effortlessly sent the Irishman between the sticks the wrong way. Concentration would be key for the remaining minutes...

A great move into their box saw Adingra drag his shot wide. I think we need a week of just shooting practice. Nordi managed pull something swinging his foot at thin air and had to receive treatment. Habib made way for our aforementioned striker - Marc Guiu. Hume got into the box and was shoved in the back, The ref didn't want to know and waved away a VAR - That is a sentence I never thought I'd type. A replay revealed their wasn't quite enough contact to back up Trai's tumble.

8 minutes of added time was announced and the 12th man piped up again. Up stepped the man who loves to score in extra time...

WILSON! After a superb cross from Captain Granit, the Frenchman got between the defenders and nutted the ball in the back of the net. Once we'd had a nervy VAR we got to celebrate again and I got too excited to finish this report off properly.

FULL TIME: 2-1. 6 points out of 9. 2 wins out of 2 at home. I love numbers me.

Keep the faith,

GPD