Rovers Pay the Penalty

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Brentford 1 - Bristol Rovers 0

A first half Gary Alexander penalty sealed three points for Brentford against Bristol Rovers today.

The Bees had started the game brightly with Myles Weston twice denied by visiting keeper Logan

It was the Rovers stopper, however, who upended Myles in the box after an incisive Brentford attack and Gary Alexander hammered the resultant spot kick straight down the centre of the goal. The travelling Rovers fans seemed unhappy about the penalty decision but it looked pretty nailed on to me.

Brentford then took their foot off the gas and allowed Rovers back into the game with Will Hoskins volleying over from close range. At the other end an Alexander header was well saved by Logan after a beautiful far post cross from Weston.

After the break, however, Rovers pressed very hard for an equaliser with Brentford somewhat slipshod in possession. Weston had switched to the right flank and frankly his impact on the game was nullified well before he was replaced by debutant Byrne.

Byrne had a hot and cold game himself but his fresh young legs helped carry the ball to the oppostion and ultimately helped Brentford to three points whilst Richard Lee made a succession of decent stops to keep a clean sheet behind a sometimes hesitant defence.

Sam Saunders again showed flashes of a decent footballing brain - playing in Toumani Diagouraga with a deft flick in the final minutes - but his 'floating role' can sometimes leave us distinctly shapeless. Credit to Robbie Neilson who again played well despite being left on his own on the right flank at times.

It's not a game that will stick in the memory, and in truth we were clinging on at times against a team who have struggled in the league recently, but another three points make it ten from twelve in the league since Andy Scott was replaced by Nicky Forster.

Brentford finish the evening in 14th place with 42 points from 31 games, ten points off the playoffs and eleven points above the relegation spots.

Bees - Lee, Neilson, Legge (Pim), KO, Woodman, Weston (Byrne), Bean (Kev), Diagouraga, Saunders, Mac, Alexander

Unused Bees - Moore, Bignall, Grabban, Simpson

With thanks to beesotted for their match report

February 28, 2011