Brentford defeat Everton to join last 16 in Carling Cup

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Brentford 1 - Everton 1 (4-3 penalties)

Wow. What an evening at Griffin Park.

A bumper midweek crowd of 8960 saw a decent cup tie against Premier League Everton end in a penalty win for Brentford.

In truth The Bees took a while to get to grips with their opponents who took the lead in the sixth minute through a Seamus Coleman strike.

Everton then had plenty of possession but wasted any chances they created - a point blank header from Yakubu sticks in the mind as a massive opportunity wasted.

Brentford gradually upped the tempo and started pressing more efficiently and were level before the break as the exhilirating Myles Weston crossed for Gary Alexander to head home. Cue pandemonium at Griffin Park.

After half time Brentford continued to work the Everton defence and when the lively Weston was brought down for a penalty it looked like Brentford would take the lead. Charlie Mac's fairly average penalty was saved and the match headed into extra time, aided by some sharp goalkeeping from Richard Lee and superb solid defending from Pim and Karleigh.

David Moyes had brought on Pienaar and Arteta to try and win the game but the internationals made little impact on the tempo of the game.

I don't remember much about extra time other than the fact that our clearly knackered troops kept working their socks off, restricting Everton to a number of half chances - although Lee made one flying save to deny Fellaini.

Penalties were taken in front of the Ealing Road and it was 3-3 (Weston, Forster and Spillane) when Beckford was denied by Lee diving at full stretch to his left.

Up stepped Charlie Mac, with balls of steel, to put Brentford 4-3 up and when Phil Jagielka's penalty hit a post Griffin Park erupted.

As fans streamed onto the pitch to celebrate I have to admit that I was suddenly overcome with emotion and my eyes filled with tears as I bounced around hugging fellow supporters on the Ealing Road terrace.

As a Brentford fan it's not often you get these moments of pure unadulterated joy coupled with immense pride and it was a moment to savour.

Hats off to Andy Scott and his plucky team for a truly memorable night.

Bees - Lee, Spillane, Karleigh, Pim, Woodman, Adams (Saunders), Kev (Bean), Dave, Weston, Alexander (Forster), Mac

Watch the highlights on BBC Sport

 

 

 

September 24, 2010