Leicester Bee
Active member
Bees v Notts Co (plus ref)
All in all, we were absolute rubbish in the first half, but absolutely brilliant in the second half.
First half, we were ripped to shreds by their French striker (David Joseph) with some good skill and pace, and then he finished with a very calm lift at the diving Oli. I'm afraid that I'm not going to say much else about the first half because it was diabolical. We didn't pass one ball to the feet of the strikers, couldn't pass anyway, didn;t tackle with commitment, and all the fans around me feared the worst for the second half.
Second half, a new team came out, and we started to play like we know how to. Some excellent balls from Mahon, Crowe, Evans, and Folan, ensured that we created chances for the strikers, and after only two minutes into the second half, Mark McCammon was released into the right wing. He cut inside to go for goal and ensured that Ward had no chance. Unfortunately, Mark couldn't celebrate his goal as he collided with their keeper and was in some sort of agony and had to be stretchered off. Cue Scott Partridge, and with Scott substituted, he teamed up with sub Williams to form a very dangerous partnership. Williams, obviously raw, but talented, ensured that he got into scoring positions, and with the rest of the team playing neat football, the fans could sense another goal or two. Unfortunately, with a bit of bad luck, some indecision, and poor finishing, we were held until (I think) about 10 minutes to go. It must be said that we created some 5 clear cut chances on goal during a half hour period of absolute domination, and another 2 or 3 half chances.
With 10 minutes to go, we conceded a soft equaliser and got caught on the break.
With so little time left, the Bees fans lifted themselves to rally behind the team in recognition of their response to the first half performance, and Brentford maintained their play where they left off. Some excellent work on the left from Folan (I think) and a cross into the middle was met by Scott Partridge and an easy goal was taken in the 92nd minute!!!
Complete bedlam amongst the few hundred supporters that made the trip up, and I felt so proud to be a Bee.
All in all, we should have had the game wrapped up by the 70 th minute, but despite us still struggling a little in defence, it was clear to see that confidence has been low in the camp, and this performance will surely help the players to realise their potential.
I don't think I have ever seen such a transformation during the half time break, but it was good to see that the players responded.
One sad incident happened when the linesman (for literally the first time in the match) gave a decision our way near the Notts Co fans, and a Notts Co fan ran all the way down the stand on to the pitch to push/punch the linesman. Sad ******, as even we could see that the County player had fouled Crowe from where we were, and we were miles away.
The referee, was simply appalling with some joke decisions that no-one could believe, not even the Villa fan I brought to the game. The linesmen clearly have no idea how to make a decision before a referee makes it, and we were put into very awkward positions as a result. The defence struggled with being caught on the break, but otherwise played quite well in the second half. Marsh was not playing for some reason, and Quinn did not do a very good job as left back. Crowe was put under alot of pressure throughout the game, and apart from a couple of times the County player went past him, he coped very well. Mahon is a much better player when he tries, Evans is not cut out anymore, Rowlands wasn't up to his best, Folan came on to prove a point and his fitness, but most of all, Oli played a blinder again. Saved a penalty after 20 mins, looked solid as an immovable rock, and my Villa mate reckoned that he looked like a Premiership keeper. "Oli, Oli, Oli, Oli!" and "Iceland's number 1!" rang throughout the game. Alternatively "Iceland's 2 for 1" entered the chants!.
The fans were fantastic with extremely vocal support despite the low numbers, and all who went must be very proud of the team and themselves.
I'm sure that there will be some who have a different opionion about the game, but I think we showed that, despite the crap opposition and referee, we can still create chances and play like we know we can.
Come on you Bees! Bring on the Tottenham, and Rapley, is a Brentford fan!
First half, we were ripped to shreds by their French striker (David Joseph) with some good skill and pace, and then he finished with a very calm lift at the diving Oli. I'm afraid that I'm not going to say much else about the first half because it was diabolical. We didn't pass one ball to the feet of the strikers, couldn't pass anyway, didn;t tackle with commitment, and all the fans around me feared the worst for the second half.
Second half, a new team came out, and we started to play like we know how to. Some excellent balls from Mahon, Crowe, Evans, and Folan, ensured that we created chances for the strikers, and after only two minutes into the second half, Mark McCammon was released into the right wing. He cut inside to go for goal and ensured that Ward had no chance. Unfortunately, Mark couldn't celebrate his goal as he collided with their keeper and was in some sort of agony and had to be stretchered off. Cue Scott Partridge, and with Scott substituted, he teamed up with sub Williams to form a very dangerous partnership. Williams, obviously raw, but talented, ensured that he got into scoring positions, and with the rest of the team playing neat football, the fans could sense another goal or two. Unfortunately, with a bit of bad luck, some indecision, and poor finishing, we were held until (I think) about 10 minutes to go. It must be said that we created some 5 clear cut chances on goal during a half hour period of absolute domination, and another 2 or 3 half chances.
With 10 minutes to go, we conceded a soft equaliser and got caught on the break.
With so little time left, the Bees fans lifted themselves to rally behind the team in recognition of their response to the first half performance, and Brentford maintained their play where they left off. Some excellent work on the left from Folan (I think) and a cross into the middle was met by Scott Partridge and an easy goal was taken in the 92nd minute!!!
Complete bedlam amongst the few hundred supporters that made the trip up, and I felt so proud to be a Bee.
All in all, we should have had the game wrapped up by the 70 th minute, but despite us still struggling a little in defence, it was clear to see that confidence has been low in the camp, and this performance will surely help the players to realise their potential.
I don't think I have ever seen such a transformation during the half time break, but it was good to see that the players responded.
One sad incident happened when the linesman (for literally the first time in the match) gave a decision our way near the Notts Co fans, and a Notts Co fan ran all the way down the stand on to the pitch to push/punch the linesman. Sad ******, as even we could see that the County player had fouled Crowe from where we were, and we were miles away.
The referee, was simply appalling with some joke decisions that no-one could believe, not even the Villa fan I brought to the game. The linesmen clearly have no idea how to make a decision before a referee makes it, and we were put into very awkward positions as a result. The defence struggled with being caught on the break, but otherwise played quite well in the second half. Marsh was not playing for some reason, and Quinn did not do a very good job as left back. Crowe was put under alot of pressure throughout the game, and apart from a couple of times the County player went past him, he coped very well. Mahon is a much better player when he tries, Evans is not cut out anymore, Rowlands wasn't up to his best, Folan came on to prove a point and his fitness, but most of all, Oli played a blinder again. Saved a penalty after 20 mins, looked solid as an immovable rock, and my Villa mate reckoned that he looked like a Premiership keeper. "Oli, Oli, Oli, Oli!" and "Iceland's number 1!" rang throughout the game. Alternatively "Iceland's 2 for 1" entered the chants!.
The fans were fantastic with extremely vocal support despite the low numbers, and all who went must be very proud of the team and themselves.
I'm sure that there will be some who have a different opionion about the game, but I think we showed that, despite the crap opposition and referee, we can still create chances and play like we know we can.
Come on you Bees! Bring on the Tottenham, and Rapley, is a Brentford fan!
