Another game unbeaten and 10 points out of 12 for Brentford as Bristol City were held 1-1 at Griffin Park on Saturday. A close to capacity crowd witnessed the unadulterated joy of Scott Hogan’s injury time equaliser as the Bees were officially assured of another season in a Championship that will now include relegated Aston Villa. And with Cardiff City, for whom it is is surely a case of ‘win or bust’ as they try to narrow a five point gap to the play offs, visiting on Tuesday there promises to be no let up in the action.
The Bees had free scoring Nico Yennaris back in midfield, giving supporters their first chance to see how the team would cope without the mercurial talent of Alan Judge. I think he’d have loved this one as Brentford were given freedom to run at the visitors in a first half where we did everything but score. With the destination of Kitman Bob’s stunning ‘giveaway’ prize hanging in the balance, there was an extra level of frisson to every thrust.
Bob’s brilliant giveaway hung in the balance…
And so, not surprisingly, it was pantomime villain Lee Tomlin who ruined the script as he was allowed the freedom of Griffin Park to burst clear and fire home from the edge of the box just before half time.
The rotund striker certainly gave it large to the home fans as he celebrated the opener. Having been the victim of non-stop first half comments about his less than svelte figure, there was no surprise in his returning the taunts. Tomlin cupping his ear to the Ealing Road got the reaction one would expect.
The second half was a much more even affair. Tomlin was replaced by Peter Odemwingie for the visitors as Bristol City looked to double their lead. To be honest, most of us were just surprised to see the striker on a West London football pitch rather than hanging around in his car outside a West London stadium.
Odemwingie in match kit (rather than in a car park) as Tomlin takes the weight off his feet
Being equally honest, Brentford were lucky not to go 2-0 down when David Button raced out of his box to clear against the onrushing Bobby Reid and came off, what we’ll politely describe as, second best. With an open goal begging , albeit on a tight angle, only a wonderful challenge from Yoann Barbet spared the Bees’ blushes despite desperate shouts for a penalty from the visiting fans.
Lasse Vibe, looking to make it 6 goals in 4 games, had the best chance for Brentford. Peter Gilham was already switching on his microphone as the great Dane headed towards goal, only for City ‘keeper Richard O’Donnell to pull off a wonderful point blank save and tip it over for a corner.
The best chance that is, until the 87th minute. With the proverbial kitchen sink being chucked at City, substitute Scott Hogan won a penalty after being bodychecked by Nathan Baker. 595 days after that horrific injury at Rotherham, here was a chance for the returning striker to open his account for Brentford. Taking responsibility for the spot kick, he hit it had and low but a little bit too close to the City goalkeeper. The opportunity gone, that was it. Surely?
No. There’s a little thing at Griffin Park called ‘Jota time’. Hogan only had to wait a few more minutes, leaping to head home Jake Bidwell’s flick on for the equaliser. It prompted delirium in the stands and a passionate announcement from our own ‘man with the mic’. PG even shunted goal sponsors Siracusa Italian restaurant down the pecking order as he celebrated like the rest of us.
Brentford ‘official’ mark the moment on Twitter
There was a time when it looked like Scott might never play again. There have been potentially demoralising set backs when it looked as though fitness was returning. Now, almost two years later, he’d done it.
The club have stood by Scott and have now been rewarded. Here’s hoping this was the first of many to come. You could see what it meant to the players, his team mates and the supporters.
On day where posters appeared (a good spot, Beesotted) announcing “We’re the first to admit that this season hasn’t gone to plan”, it was wonderful to see something else unexpected – certainly at the start of the campaign – happening.
Namely Scott reaching match fitness, starting to get a regular run of appearances and finishing with such confidence.
The video highlights have now been released and, of note, they also see the return to action of Mark Burridge in the BeesPlayer commentary box. the regular reader will be aware that our three match winning streak (after that dreadful run of defeats) coincided with his time off at the Atlanta Masters golf.
Far from being the jinx some had suggested he might be, what a wonderful moment for Mark to be back at the helm to see Scott get his first Bees’ goal. Welcome back Mr.Burridge.
Mark Burridge describes that big match action
As for those posters. We’ve all got eyes and have seen what is happening this time around. Nobody needs another list of the ‘lows’ whilst many supporters have found it hard after last season’s incredible story of Championship life for the Bees.
Whilst that opening comment would be akin to the captain of the Titanic saying that her maiden voyage was blighted with a few teething issues, it was just nice to see the club engaging in a bit of honest comms. Any regular reader will know our constant decent into what Oliver Holt once called “anti-PR” has been a source of regular frustration over not just this season but last time, too.
We do loads of great stuff off the pitch (yesterday’s Fan Zone and Bob’s shirt comp being yet further examples). Comms are easy but they take guts sometimes. Fair play for recognising this.
“We’re looking forward to moving up the Championship table next year” continued the announcement.
Hear, hear.
Great spot from Beesotted
Nick Bruzon
BrentfordFC 