Well wasn’t that the game that had it all? Aside from, perhaps, a red card. Three times Frank Lampard’s Derby County (TM) led Brentford. Three times they were hauled back with neither team able to quite make the final breakthrough in a pulsating clash that finished 3-3. On an afternoon that started so brightly with the quite wonderful recognition of the Kick It Out campaign (something we’d been building up to all week) yet ended with the fetid whiff of racism after an individual sitting behind the dug outs was arrested for an aggravated offence against Duane Holmes, the 90 minutes in between were about as pulsating as they come. And as physical. That Derby in particular reached full time with 11 players is a mystery to rank up there alongside how Stonehenge was built or why would anyone chose to watch Mrs. Browns Boys. The answer to both questions presumably involve whips. Being subjected to the alleged comedy about everyone’s ‘favourite’ Irish ‘mammy’ (man, wig, cardigan) must surely by now have been declared as some form of corporal punishment.
The perfect message before kick off
Brentford did what Brentford do at Griffin Park. Namely, attack without fear of consequence in the knowledge that if we were found wanting at the back (another of our ad-hoc character traits) then there is more than enough presence up top to make ‘goals against’ nothing more irritating than turning on the TV too early for Match Of The Day and coming across the last knockings of Mrs Browns Boys. So to speak. With Said and Ollie pulling the strings out wide, supported by Sergi from the bench, the blistering form of Neal Maupay and our overlapping wingbacks in Henrik Dalsgaard and the returning Rico Henry it was about as positive as it gets. That’s before you factor in Romaine Sawyers who was at his midfield string pulling best.
It was a very welcome return for Rico Henry, whose role in the second goal showed just how valuable a player he is to this team. On the other flank that rare, for Griffin Park, occasion of a battle between World Cup players – one past and one present. Early substitute Ashley Cole found himself up against Denmark’s Dalsgaard in a duel that saw the former Mr. Cheryl Tweedy very much second best. Not for the first time in his life, I’m sure.
Another player poleaxed
The first half started at 100mph with first Julian Jeanvier and then Neal Maupay levelling things for The Bees after what we could politely call some questionable defending allowed the visitors to nudge ahead. The second goal against us, one which will very much give our defensive coach sleepless nights. In between the game was punctuated by a level of physicality and rogue challenges from the visitors that we’ve not seen since erm, well the visit of West Brom last time out. I guess we should take this as a massive complement. That the only way to stop Brentford at Griffin Park is to foul us. Would that the referee had offered us more protection but with even the linesman failing in his primary duty, that of assistant to a referee who was clearly incapable of doing his job properly, it is no wonder Frank Lampard’s team took advantage.
Yet if County started the opening period taking the game to Brentford, the second half saw roles very much reversed. It was backs to the wall stuff as chance followed chance and the pressure built.Ooooh. So close. Penalty!!? No. Denied. Great save. Another corner (don’t take it short, they never f*&king work). Then Derby broke and with the first real attack it was 2-3 . Oh Brentford. You do it to yourself, you do. And that’s what really hurts. Thoughts that this is what you get when you mess with us (like in that film) from the visiting fans as the Derby Karma Police came calling. But fear not. It was all to be OK.
View from the Braemar – Brentford push up in the second half
Who else but Said Benrahma breaking through to fire home for 3-3 with just 7(seven) minutes on the clock. The eruption of joy that followed that one was about as emphatic as they come. And that was just Peter Gilham on the public address system who seemed to have ben set to ‘rogue’. His announcements all game being delivered with an exuberance and joie de vivre that only this most popular of announcers could get away with. Yet this seemed to be theme of the afternoon, with even ‘official’ twitter getting in on the act….
As for those allegations afterwards, such a vile act as racism has no place at Brentford. Or anywhere. We all know what a wonderful place this is for football – it is a furrow that has been ploughed many, many times on these pages. I’ve never watched football at a place where everyone is made to feel welcome regardless of race, colour, creed or preference.
Whilst this allegation seems as alien to me based on anything I’ve ever seen or felt at Griffin Park , if it is found to be true then let’s hope the book is thrown. Even if not, then following on from the recent England games and story at Wigan it has been a sobering reminder for all of us of how much good work is still to be done.
Until more is known, that’s a topic for another day. For now though, it simply remains to bask in the enjoyment of what was a quite wonderful game of football. On this form, I can’t wait for the visit of Ipswich on Wednesday.
Nick Bruzon
BrentfordFC 
Always stumble across the reports from Nick Bruzon when the Rams play Brentford. Excellently written as always and tells it how it is with an unbiased view. Chapeau.
Many thanks indeed
Nick. Fine report on a classic match. The day was ruined for me when I heard about the racist idiot who abused the tough little Derby player who I thought had a terrific match and really did the job he was supposed to do i.e. get into our faces!
If the allegations of racist abuse are found to be correct then the club MUST immediately withdraw this fan’s season ticket and ban him from Griffin Park until the end of next season AND prevent him from purchasing a seat at Lionel Road. It must also name the fan and if possible publish his photograph. He needs to be publicly shamed if only to be a deterrent against others. Jonathan
A little late, I know, but I’m binge reading The Last Word…….. I love reading these articles, fresh and straight and whimsical. However. We. forgot. The. Word. Alleged.
Frank Lampard’s Derby ™️ Certainly came with an exhibition of sh*thouse tactics, not seen much (WBA excepting) since the tag-fouling Karanka’s Boro™️…….
I sit close-ish enough to the area and didn’t hear anything, that’s not to say, of course, that nothing happened. Racism is obnoxious and the domain of Tory leadership hopefuls, but we should always remember that innocent until proved guilty is our way.
It’s now June and unless I missed an update from anywhere, club or police, the matter has gone very quiet. Maybe someone reading this could update?
Chin chin!