Points, Promise & Purpose
Pre match - there's a few more Orient milling about than normal - what's this, the suns come out and brought them out to play, maybe a 15 match unbeaten stretch and a day out in the better half of London, the Orient roll into town fancying their chances, we'll see.
Changes today were Neilson returning but over at left back for the ever present Woodman, Bean for the Budgie sized Byrne, but other than that as they were Tues.
The Bees thundered out of the blocks, Orient come with a plan, it's a flawed plan, play and pass from the back, so Bean pushes on with Weston to pick up early flicks on from Grabban and Alexander. 5 mins in, one of these flicks from Alexander into space, Bean runs into the gap between the two centre halves, trying to get the ball under control, he seems to be surprised to be so far up there and so are we, the crowd seem hopeful, rather than expectant but Marcus nonchently flicks a leg, it sails high and wide of a grasping Jones. 1 nil, it catches most of us out, even Harry Hill wasn't expecting to see that! Bean celebrates whilst pointing to the name on the back of his shirt to Hate Corner, Good Scenes
Now Forsters team relax, we pick up every loose ball for 20 mins, Weston gives Whing a tip and run lesson, Grabban is a threat and has a shot cleared off the line after Alexander chases down a loose ball, Leon heads over. This is stirring stuff, haven't played this well at home in the first half hour since Charlton at home 5 months back. 25 mins gone, Weston skins Whing, Malcolm Mclaren style "round the outside" and puts a low cross along the six yard box, Alexander waiting back post smacks a sidefooter home high into the net. 2 nil and Gaz gives the Orient time to share in this moment by running along the away end, finger held against his lip, they seemed to enjoy that, lots of circular fingered waves.
We take a breather, Orient's Dean Cox a Sam Saunders doppleganger, but even smaller, starts to impress, but we look comfortable, even Nicky looks content. 2 mins till half time Lee blocks a chance from the forward on the six yard line, he's on him quick and strong, excellent save, but Lee stays down and doesn't move, all of a sudden the crowd hush, uh-oh Wembley goes through 5 odd thousand minds, then we still have this match to finish. Simon Moore comes on and kicks out high and long and breathes out to finish the half.
2nd half momentum swing - you can feel the nervousness from the crowd for Moore, but he has played before, but Orient go more direct and at us. 10 mins in, another corner, another free header from a centre half, (weakness alert Nicky) heads down, McLeish right hand side of 6 yard box turns spins and connects a volley past Moore. 2-1 game on.
O's spend next 10 mins pumping balls in the box, "Come on Brentford" roar the crowd as it's time for us to play our part, you can sense a little hang on, but we weather it, Leon and Karleigh were solid and strong today, this derby is end to end and up for grabs. Reed who is a special talent in the middle plays a moving "give and go" with Gaz on the edge of the box and runs on to it to place a cert past Jones, who makes a fantastic one handed palm away. Time for Jeffrey and his green boots, Grabban makes way, to another good hand, two fair games from Lewis, but within 30 seconds Schlupp like a roadrunner gains 5 yards on the centre half who looks like he treading treacle and Schlupp nips past and toe punts, Jones deflects it down, Jeffrey runs past Jones, ball bounces up and he crashes it off the bar with no one at home. 3-1 noooo.... how the f........ no lets not go there, he made the chance but will it cost us.
10 mins from the end, Barrett skyscrapers above everyone to send a header towards the top corner, Moore one handed full stretch palm over, great save, Slade knows its time for a defeat today. Sammy Wood comes on for Weston and gives us some scurrying and tenacity. Good Stuff Sam, he gets the New Rd even more onside. Jeffrey has two more chances where he puts the afterburners on, but just doesn't look up or finish, but this boy is seriously quick, last 20 mins at Wembley his next outing me thinks.
3 mins added on, but no last minute dramas this game, the O's are sunk and the Bees deservedly take the points. Nicky strides towards the tunnel with purpose as his team had just done for 90 mins, there were lots of plusses and promise today.
Minuses today - Lee - it is a blow, but it happens. Charlie as well. But when somebody's chance goes, another players chance comes. Moore showed character today, he's a good keeper, he'll play at Wembley and won't let us down. Neilson proved he reads the game well, he filled a hole well today at left back, I'd have him back next year. KOC was good today, solid as KO and Leon.
Dave was as consistent as ever under the Forster reign, Reed a really good game, if we could make one loan signing for 11/12, this guy is it. Best way of describing his style is a clipped Gerrard, go short or long, run all day and always wants to be involved and only 19 - tell me what's not to like! Beany had a good game further up the field and he looks a better middle of the park player further up.
Grabban was good enough, we play through for him to run on to, different way, but better. Weston a happy tappy today, once he knows he has the measure of his man, it's just tip and go. Alexander was excellent - he is always up for it against old clubs, Exeter and the EastEnd Lot have both seen him profit against them, he pulled the centre half about and caused problems with his flick ons.
We proved today what most of us thought, we can play all day now against anyone, Forster is proving the players are developing and improving in style, up to 11th and entering the finishing straight motoring up. It was value for money today and watching the Bees is no chore anymore, plenty of plusses and points in this team. Post match the talk was which of these players will be the hero at Wembley, play like today and Carlisle will struggle to match us, Bring them on for the dress rehearsal on Friday...
cant believe he hit the bar, looked a nailed on goal from NR.
