Bees Return to Winning Ways

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Rochdale 1 - 2 Brentford

Shaleum Logan was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI following his concussion but the right back had an excellent game - as did Leon Legge.

Brentford were awarded a penalty in the eleventh minute when Clayton Donaldson was bundled over in the box following a Gary Alexander flick-on. Alexander smashed home the spot kick for his fourth goal of the season.

Dale were level 20 minutes into the second half from a corner won after a wayward ball from Donaldson - Macus Holness heading home.

However Sam Saunders settled matters with a calm left footed finish following Mike Grella's deft header to secure all three points for Uwe Rosler's side who are now in 7th position in League One - two points behind Notts County.

Leon Legge and Marcel Eger put in strong defensive displays yesterday whilst burly substitute Harlee Dean made his debut in a holding midfield role as Brentford closed out the game.

Bees - Lee, Logan, Eger, Legge, Woodman, Saunders (Dean), Douglas, Dave, McGinn (Weston), Alexander, Donaldson (Grella)

Unused Bees - Bidwell, Bean
Attendance - 3015

Brentford 0 - 1 Charlton

Brentford lost 1-0 at home to Charlton after failing to take two gilt edged chances in the first half.

The first chance fell to Toumani Diagouraga who scooped the ball over the bar with the goal wide open after McGinn's drive rasped against the post. The second should have been finished by Clayton Donaldson who headed wide from a yard after more McGinn magic.

Unfortunately these were Brentford's two bDecember 1, 2011 home the visitor's winner midway through the second half.

It could be argued that the turning point in the match came shortly before the goal. The abysmal referee failed to whistle when Gary Alexander was clattered from behind and in Charlton's resultant attack, Richard Lee caught Shaleum Logan. Logan was then down for several minutes before being stretchered from the pitch and Brentford lost their concentration.

Ben Hamer also left the pitch a villain after lots of timewasting and getting Mike Grella booked despite the striker not making contact with the keeper. Classless.

Overall though Brentford only have themselves to blame for not being more ruthless in front of goal. Gary Alexander and Leon Legge in particular deserved more for their excellent performances this afternoon

Uwe Rosler will be frustrated to end the afternoon without any points and potentially without a recognised right back at the club - Kevin O'Connor is rumoured to be quite badly injured whilst Michael Spillane has just gone out on loan to Dagenham.

Bees - Lee, Woodman, Logan (Bean), Llera, Legge, McGinn (Weston), Diagouraga, Douglas, Saunders (Grella), Donaldson, Alexander.

Brentford 1 - 0 Basingstoke Town (FA Cup)

Whether it was the 6-0 win over Bournemouth midweek or the early goal scored by Sam Saunders with a trademark free kick, there was a definite staleness to Brentford's play.

The bees had much of the possession throughout the game but created very few chances. Comfortable for much of the time but Saunders isn't the outlet that Weston supplies and Basingstoke had two very good wingers which kept Logan and Adams busy. Without the full backs pushing up we were a little predictable.

Brentford definitely started the better with Grella just missing out and Saunders scoring after 9 minutes - it was looking good. Basingstoke were a little more direct, as you'd maybe expect from an away side but talented, confident and seemed to have the requisite motivation to get back into the game.

The longer the game went on the more opportunities seem to be created by the away side and their play probably deserved an equaliser in the end. Their fans were claiming a handball on the line with the clock running down but it was too far away to get a clear view.

I can't help thinking that our performance would have been less appreciated by the home fans if we weren't one up for most of the game.

Llera, again, seemed to be a weak link at the back and was replaced by Legge during the second half. Kev was stretchered off just before half time with his neck in a brace.

We played some good football but it was a bit like a pre-season friendly and with a little bit of luck falling Basingstoke's way they could have forced a replay.

Anyway, we are in the next round so job done.

Lee; Logan, Eger, Llera (sub Legge 64 mins), Adams; McGinn, O'Connor (sub Bean h/t), Dave, Saunders; Grella (sub Donaldson 78 mins), Alexander

Subs (not used): Devlin, Woodman, Weston, Oyeleke

With thanks to beesotted for their match reports

December 1, 2011