Stevenage Spot Kick Disaster

Brentford 0 - 0 Notts County

Brentford failed to take the chance to beat play off rivals Notts County at GP on Saturday. In what was a crucial six-pointer County frustrated the Bees and ended the day with a crucial point that sees them in the driving seat for a play off position.

County played 5 in midfield alongside our diamond formation. We played some lovely football at times but there was very little threat from our front players. County played on the break and had the better of the chances, hitting the bar once and forcing Lee into two very good saves.

We seemed to rely heavily on dead balls but only one troubled the County defence and a good headed clearance off the line from a Saunders free kick was all we really had to show for it. We did get some decent balls into the box on occasion but they either evaded our forwards or were cleared or resulting shots blocked or went wide.

Ultimately they were two evenly matched teams and the result was a fair one.

There was a pretty good atmosphere at the ground even though the official figures were just over 7,000 including a disappointing 750 odd from County. And when I say odd, I mean odd, have you seen them! Blimey, what an ugly bunch. Misshapen faces, scabs, warts, the lot!

The maths bit:

If we win our final three games [not going to happen] and County lose one of their three [could happen] and Carlisle lose one and draw one of their last four [could happen] then we'd be in 6th place and go into one of our disastrous attempts at the play offs.

Let's forget it and build for next year.

Bees: Lee; Logan, Osborne, Dean, Bidwell; Bean (sub Legge 82 mins), Douglas, Dave; Saunders; Donaldson, Morrison (sub McGinn 70 mins)

Subs (not used): Moore, Thompson, Forrester

Stevenage 1 - 2 Brentford

Brentford yesterday ended their unbeaten run as our play off hopes all but died at Stevenage.

The large travelling Bees support had been lifted prior to the game with Notts County slumping to defeat at Bury aided by a brace from Mike Grella.

Sadly, in traditional Brentford style, we threw away our own destiny by missing TWO penalties with the game scoreless.

The first penalty was given when Morrison was bundled over - unfortunately Clayton Donaldson lifted the spot kick onto the crossbar.

Donaldson partially recovered some dignity by winning the second penalty - which Sam Saunders stepped forward to take following a debate with Morrison. Saunders also missed the target - his curler hitting the post.

To add insult to injury Stevenage raced up the other end of the pitch and scored their first goal past Simon Moore - in for the injured Richard Lee.

Within eight minutes it was game over - Adam Thompson was robbed of the ball by Luke Freeman who let fly from 25 yards. 2-0 Stevenage.

Uwe replaced the out of sorts Karleigh Osborne with Leon Legge, sending the giant defender up front to battle with Stevenage's own mammoth defenders.

The late addition of Harry Forrester (who apparently has been struggling with a recurring injury) added some guile to proceedings. Harry was eventually chopped down on the edge of the box and Saunders popped home the resultant free kick. 2-1 but sadly too little too late.

Saunders looked gutted at the final whistle and came over to apologise to the Bees supporters for his missed penalty. He seems to have grown as a man over the course of the season and his goal contribution from midfield has been impressive.

Another player to deserve some praise yesterday is Jonathan Douglas who took a yellow card for the team in upending one of their less pleasant players who was on the counter attack. He's perhaps not the midfield warrior we all hoped for but has played a crucial part in many of our better performances.

We were not out-thought at Stevenage but we were probably out-fought. Uwe talked at the fans forum about the need for more experience next season. I'd hope the addition of bottle and bite are also on his list, as well as the striker we have lacked all season.

Still, we've got the chance to upset Sheffield Wednesday's promotion push next Saturday at Griffin Park in an all ticket encounter. Our own season, however, is basically over after another opportunity missed.

Bees - Moore, Bidwell, Thompson (Forrester), Osborne (Legge), Dean, Saunders, Logan, Douglas, Dave, Morrison, Donaldson

Unused Bees - Pim, Bean, McGinn

With thanks to beesotted for their match reports

April 25, 2012