View from the South – Brentford v Birmingham City

I had resolved not to go to this game as I hadn’t managed to obtain a ticket as our allocation had rapidly sold out whilst I was abroad recently and having tried the club to see if there were any returns earlier in the week I had sadly had to conclude that I couldn’t go and so would have to settle for watching the rugby instead. I had taken my elderly neighbour’s dog for a walk and checked when I got back once more to see just by the off chance that some tickets might be available on Brentford’s web site. I hadn’t been able to book a ticket on line as you had to be a member or have booking history but I noted that tickets were available right up to kick off. It would mean traveling incognito, mingling with the home supporters and being subdued but at least I would get to see the match. Mrs Bazza smiled resignedly when I announced at the last minute that I would go along after all; she knew that the thought of not getting to the game had been gnawing at me all morning and despite her mild protests that it may be for the best to give this one a miss, she knows how much following the Blues means to me despite not possessing the football gene herself.

So it was I caught the train from Blackwater to Wokingham and from there Virginia Water and finally Brentford. I arrived just before two o’clock and went in search of the ticket office. I was quizzed as to whether I had been before, had purchased tickets at Griffin Park in the past etc so in my best Oxford English I stated that I was a neutral who had come along on the off chance. They sold me a ticket and I went off to grab a pint of Guinness in the Princess Royal. I then entered the ground and fortified by a steak and kidney pie and a cup of tea, I made my way to my seat which was level with the home goal line at the end opposite the faithful. (See picture).

The match started brightly with the home side on top but when Blues did move it forward they looked as if they could cause Brentford trouble. Josh Dacres-Cogley was installed at right back and overall gave a very good account of himself. Robert Tesche was also returned to the team in midfield along with Kieftenbeld, Davis and Cotterill whom I am glad to say had one of his better games after a run of pretty indifferent form. Brentford had made a bright, swift start and Blues were largely on the back foot when on 14 minutes a clever through ball to Clayton Donaldson saw the striker get to the ball marginally before Daniel Bentley in goal for Brentford. The keeper’s momentum on the slick moist pitch clattered him into the Don taking his legs from under him. The penalty decision was inevitable and despite the derisive boos from the Partizan crowd behind the goal was correct. I overheard a senior steward complaining that it was a clear dive from Donaldson but this was a delusional statement I’m afraid. Clayton Donaldson saw off at least two team mates to claim the spot kick which was dispatched simply enough to give Blues a lead against the run of play.

Baz’s video of Donaldson’s Penalty!

The temper of the match continued throughout the rest of the half with the home side dominant with occasional forays by Blues who nevertheless still looked dangerous when they did advance forward. Brentford forced any number of corners and free kicks which allowed them to deliver dangerous deliveries into our box. Fortunately, the vast majority of those were of inadequate quality which coupled with excellent defending and last ditch blocks on occasions got us through to the break a goal to the good. Brentford did have at least three good opportunities to score but fluffed their lines. Attempts by Lasse Vibe, Scott Hogan, Ryan Woods and Nico Yennaris were all blocked during an intense spell of pressure in the middle of the half. Blues also had chances with a blocked effort from Cotterill and Robert Tesche shot over the bar when well-placed but overall the half belonged to Brentford if not the score line.

The second half continued in much the same vein as the first but Blues continued to stand firm despite coming under great pressure. Blues were awarded a free kick about thirty-five yards out which Cotterill delivered. A flick on by Clayton Donaldson ended up at the far post where Ryan Shotton was Johnny on the spot to side foot across Bentley into the far corner for 2-0. The score line rather flattered Blues I felt but we were leading because we had defended better and had taken the chances we had created. However, there was 62 minutes on the clock and a long time therefore still to go. Kusczcak was called upon to make several top class saves and we were fortunate to survive some of the rebounds that fell to our defenders rather than their attackers. The home side also struck the woodwork twice and I thought I was going to be describing a heroic man of the match performance from Kusczcak for the second week running. The only blot on his personal contribution has to be Brentford’s goal (which incidentally they richly deserved) which came from a curling inswinging delivery into the box by Josh Clarke which Kusczcak started to come for but then hesitated. The result was that he found himself betwixt and between and Scott Hogan headed the ball over him for 1-2 on 76 minutes. Robert Tesche was replaced by Che Adams, David Cotterill by Reece Brown on 71 minutes and Lukas Jutkiewicz by Paul Robinson with seven minutes left.

There was a final scare near the end when with three minutes left Brentford had the ball in the net for a second time. The home celebrations were cut short however when the Assistant standing less than ten yards from where I was sitting ruled the effort offside. I looked towards him as soon as the ball was headed back across goal. Kusczcak is saving until the offside player touches it. The decision was correct without doubt.

The Good: Obviously the result but the defensive display from Birmingham was outstanding considering the opportunities that Brentford had. Players were really putting their bodies on the line and added to the excellent performance by Thomas Kusczcak, the foundation was laid for a gritty, gutsy win. In the end it was a case of us taking our chances and they missing theirs.

The Bad: The fact that I had to sit so subdued whilst my team were straining every sinew to win. I hate not being among fellow noses on occasions like this.

The Ugly: There was a late unpleasant looking tackle on David Davis early on which the referee signalled advantage to, correctly in my view. I was surprised he didn’t go back and sanction the Brentford player concerned. It wasn’t so much the tackle that was ugly but young Josh Dacres-Cogley’s reaction when he waved the imaginary card in the direction of the officials. Regardless of the fact the challenge was deserving of a caution, this is something the youngster needs to cut out of his game early doors; there is no need for it and it is an ugly trait in football in my opinion. Otherwise Josh had a good debut.

Brentford: Daniel Bentley 6, Maxime Colin 7, Andreas Bjelland 7 Harlee Dean 7, Nico Yennaris 7, Scott Hogan 7, John Egan 7, Ryan Woods 8, Romaine Sawyers 7 (Sullay Kaikai 62, 7) Yoann Barbet 7 (Josh Clarke 71, 6) Lasse Vibe 7 (Josh McEachran 71, 6)

Subs not used: Philipp Hofmann, Jack Bonham, Konstantin Kerschbaumer, Tom Field.

Goals: Hogan

Yellow cards: Bentley, Egan.

Birmingham City: Thomas Kusczcak 8, Josh Dacres-Cogley 7, Ryan Shotton 8, Michael Morrison 7, Jonathan Grounds 7, Robert Tesche 7 (Che Adams 64, 7) Maikel Kieftenbeld 7, David Davis 7, David Cotterill 7 (Reece Brown 64, 6) Clayton Donaldson 7, Lukas Jutkiewicz 7 (Paul Robinson 83, N/A)

Subs not used: Adam Legzdins, Diego Fabbrini, Jacques Maghoma, Greg Stewart.

Goals: Donaldson (pen) Shotton.

Yellow cards: Davis, Cotterill.

Referee: Andrew Madley: 7; I am probably going to incense any Bees supporters reading this but I thought Mr Madley had a good game. This was a decent game of football and very often in such matches the officials have a big part to play. He used the advantage well for both sides and allowed the game to flow and be an entertaining spectacle. Brentford play swift incisive football on a good surface and today they played really well and were unfortunate to take nothing from this match.. The fact that they didn’t wasn’t down to the referee but the fact they missed their chances when they did come along. Despite the obvious displeasure of the home crowd over the penalty incident which resulted in former Bee, Clayton Donaldson being branded the pantomime villain for the rest of the afternoon, Daniel Bentley’s challenge was late, reckless and he took the man not the ball. It was a clear penalty and correctly awarded. The decision to disallow Brentford’s ‘equaliser’ three minutes from time was also correct; I was in line with the incident; the officials got it right.

Attendance: 10,925

Bazza KRO