Santa Barbara Bee
Release the hounds!
Superb Win, sounds like a great game. Tell us all about it, lads.
Brentford v Stoke City Match Reports
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PAZ
Active member
We played ok in the first half, but didn't really create much. I think the only shot we had on target was a long range miss-hit pass from Ivar! Stoke played very well, and Deon Burton (who looked fat and cr*p, and hardly 2nd division let alone premiership) missed two very good chances. It certainly had us scared. The major good news for us though was them getting a player sent off. Rowly went past him, and he cynically kicked his ankles as he went past. It seemed harsh, but the ref consulted the linesman, and a straight red it was. Rowly looked to be trying to throw a punch, but luckily Evo waded in and saved us from losing a man as well.
At this point it's worth saying the ref was fairly inconsistent throughout. I think Stoke fans will feel the sending off was ridiculous. In some ways I agree, but he made the decision with the linesman, and I wasn't complaining. He also dished out a fair few yellow cards to both sides for challenges that weren't even that bad (Sidwell), and for dissent (Burton and Evo - foolish of Evo), and let some things go (Thomas got away with a nasty one on O'Connor, who incidentally came on very early on for BBB who seemed to have taken a knock). So, basically Stoke were on top, even when they went down to ten.
Second half, we were on top from the start. We played very well. Hunt had a shot from the edge of the box tipped over, and we were putting a lot of pressure on their goal. The breakthrough came as their keeper rushed from his goal, cleared the ball uncleanly, and it found it's way to Sidwell who chipped it in as sweetly and as coolly as you from 30 yards, as the keeper raced back to his line. We then dominated heavily looking like we might get a second - Evo's freekicks were unfortunately quite poor today, from some good positions. They got very frustrated and niggly.
However, they had some good chances, particularly in the last few minutes. Smith did fantasically well to save and hold a freekick from Hoekstra. He then made a genuinely world class save diving low to his left when a shot was hit, low and hard through a crowd. Then, off a corner, the ball seemed destined to go in, and someone, not sure who (but that man is a god), headed it when everyone else was beaten off the goal line and over the bar. Basically, we defended very well, and were good value for the win I thought, although Stoke will rue some poor finishing.
Let's just make sure we beat Bury now.
At this point it's worth saying the ref was fairly inconsistent throughout. I think Stoke fans will feel the sending off was ridiculous. In some ways I agree, but he made the decision with the linesman, and I wasn't complaining. He also dished out a fair few yellow cards to both sides for challenges that weren't even that bad (Sidwell), and for dissent (Burton and Evo - foolish of Evo), and let some things go (Thomas got away with a nasty one on O'Connor, who incidentally came on very early on for BBB who seemed to have taken a knock). So, basically Stoke were on top, even when they went down to ten.
Second half, we were on top from the start. We played very well. Hunt had a shot from the edge of the box tipped over, and we were putting a lot of pressure on their goal. The breakthrough came as their keeper rushed from his goal, cleared the ball uncleanly, and it found it's way to Sidwell who chipped it in as sweetly and as coolly as you from 30 yards, as the keeper raced back to his line. We then dominated heavily looking like we might get a second - Evo's freekicks were unfortunately quite poor today, from some good positions. They got very frustrated and niggly.
However, they had some good chances, particularly in the last few minutes. Smith did fantasically well to save and hold a freekick from Hoekstra. He then made a genuinely world class save diving low to his left when a shot was hit, low and hard through a crowd. Then, off a corner, the ball seemed destined to go in, and someone, not sure who (but that man is a god), headed it when everyone else was beaten off the goal line and over the bar. Basically, we defended very well, and were good value for the win I thought, although Stoke will rue some poor finishing.
Let's just make sure we beat Bury now.
PAZ
Active member
Ratings:
Smith: 9. Made two fantastic saves,and looked very safe throughout. There was another catch of a cross when two Stoke men were waiting that springs to mind. His distribution by hand was very good too, although he had one glaring miss-kick. He definitely earned his clean sheet though.
Dobbo: 7. He was very solid throughout. He didn't let anything past him as usual.
Ivar: 7. He got a bit lucky with a rare mistake he made - they didn't score, but generally was as icy cool as ever. He was particularly strong in the air I felt today.
Theobald: 5. Maybe a harsh rating, but his weakness in the air presented Stoke with several potential chances in the first half. He did look good and comfortable when the ball was below waist height, but really needs to work on his aerial ability.
Ijah: 6. He worked hard, but made a few errors in his passing.
Rowly: 8. He caused them all kinds of problems in both halves (particularly in the second) with his running at their defenders. He looked a class act.
Sidwell: 8. A solid preformance of the sort we've come to expect from him. He was all over the pitch, cleaning up and passing well. His goal was a great finish as well.
Evo: 6. He led very well, showing great spirit. He also deserves a big mention for saving Rowly from getting sent off. However, his freekicks were poor throughout (he had quite a few), and he picked up a needless yellow for dissent.
Hunt: 8. He ran his socks off as usual. His confidence has grown throughout the season, and I'm very glad he'll definitely be here next season. His crossing off his left has also changed beyond recognition. You can't fault his commitment, and he had a great shot that narrowly missed (was tipped over in fact)
Owusu: 8. He ran all afternoon, keeping on the last man, causing them problems. Had a good shot which was unfortunate to go straight towards the keeper near the end. Good control, good running, and good holding the ball up.
BBB: 6. Went off very early, didn't get a chance to do much.
O'Connor (on for BBB): 7. Looked good in his favoured position up front. Used his skill to earn some free kicks, had a good header saved off a good BFC move. Basically, he showed he is useful.
Hutch (on for Rowly): 6. Only on for last few minutes - hardly touched the ball.
Boxall (on for Hunt): 6. The same as Hutch.
Ref Watch: 7. He was very inconsistent, but kept play going where possible, consulted his linesmen on major decisions, and sent one of their guys off.
Fan of the match: The guy who headed the ball back in near the half way line on the New Road after it went out - class.
Chant of the match: The Brook Road chants of "It's all your fault" to their keeper. I think at one point, the whole stand was singing it.
Most amusing moment of match: After we won a freekick, Evo picked up the ball, and made his way to the spot. One of their guys seemed to think Evo was time wasting, and tore the ball off him, and took it to the spot, without seeming to realise that the freekick couldn't be taken til Evo got there anyway.
Up the Bees!
Smith: 9. Made two fantastic saves,and looked very safe throughout. There was another catch of a cross when two Stoke men were waiting that springs to mind. His distribution by hand was very good too, although he had one glaring miss-kick. He definitely earned his clean sheet though.
Dobbo: 7. He was very solid throughout. He didn't let anything past him as usual.
Ivar: 7. He got a bit lucky with a rare mistake he made - they didn't score, but generally was as icy cool as ever. He was particularly strong in the air I felt today.
Theobald: 5. Maybe a harsh rating, but his weakness in the air presented Stoke with several potential chances in the first half. He did look good and comfortable when the ball was below waist height, but really needs to work on his aerial ability.
Ijah: 6. He worked hard, but made a few errors in his passing.
Rowly: 8. He caused them all kinds of problems in both halves (particularly in the second) with his running at their defenders. He looked a class act.
Sidwell: 8. A solid preformance of the sort we've come to expect from him. He was all over the pitch, cleaning up and passing well. His goal was a great finish as well.
Evo: 6. He led very well, showing great spirit. He also deserves a big mention for saving Rowly from getting sent off. However, his freekicks were poor throughout (he had quite a few), and he picked up a needless yellow for dissent.
Hunt: 8. He ran his socks off as usual. His confidence has grown throughout the season, and I'm very glad he'll definitely be here next season. His crossing off his left has also changed beyond recognition. You can't fault his commitment, and he had a great shot that narrowly missed (was tipped over in fact)
Owusu: 8. He ran all afternoon, keeping on the last man, causing them problems. Had a good shot which was unfortunate to go straight towards the keeper near the end. Good control, good running, and good holding the ball up.
BBB: 6. Went off very early, didn't get a chance to do much.
O'Connor (on for BBB): 7. Looked good in his favoured position up front. Used his skill to earn some free kicks, had a good header saved off a good BFC move. Basically, he showed he is useful.
Hutch (on for Rowly): 6. Only on for last few minutes - hardly touched the ball.
Boxall (on for Hunt): 6. The same as Hutch.
Ref Watch: 7. He was very inconsistent, but kept play going where possible, consulted his linesmen on major decisions, and sent one of their guys off.
Fan of the match: The guy who headed the ball back in near the half way line on the New Road after it went out - class.
Chant of the match: The Brook Road chants of "It's all your fault" to their keeper. I think at one point, the whole stand was singing it.
Most amusing moment of match: After we won a freekick, Evo picked up the ball, and made his way to the spot. One of their guys seemed to think Evo was time wasting, and tore the ball off him, and took it to the spot, without seeming to realise that the freekick couldn't be taken til Evo got there anyway.
Up the Bees!
A tough, tense and physical game, it needed cool heads at times, we had them and Stoke did'nt which is why we won the game in the end.
We started well enough but Stoke showed they have quality, particularly going forward. When BBB went off it was looking a bit ominous but O'Connor came on and showed us that if he is in his rightful position he can play.
I could'nt really see the sending off incident so others can describe it...but it looked a silly moment from their player who lost his rag, shame for them as he looked a good player.
From then on we came more into the play although to be fair Stoke played well with 10 men and Smith made a number of good saves ( how long before the big clubs are looking at him I wonder!!).
Second half attacking the Brook Road we were far more on top. They became niggly and more disjointed. Their goal summed it up, panic in defence and a very cool moment from Sid who made it look easy from 35 yards or so. A sweet goal indeed.
An all round excellent team effort with a number of good individual performances. We needed to play well against a good side, battling side and we did. The Stoke fans seemed to be blaming it on the ref, but frankly they only have themselves to blame.
We started well enough but Stoke showed they have quality, particularly going forward. When BBB went off it was looking a bit ominous but O'Connor came on and showed us that if he is in his rightful position he can play.
I could'nt really see the sending off incident so others can describe it...but it looked a silly moment from their player who lost his rag, shame for them as he looked a good player.
From then on we came more into the play although to be fair Stoke played well with 10 men and Smith made a number of good saves ( how long before the big clubs are looking at him I wonder!!).
Second half attacking the Brook Road we were far more on top. They became niggly and more disjointed. Their goal summed it up, panic in defence and a very cool moment from Sid who made it look easy from 35 yards or so. A sweet goal indeed.
An all round excellent team effort with a number of good individual performances. We needed to play well against a good side, battling side and we did. The Stoke fans seemed to be blaming it on the ref, but frankly they only have themselves to blame.
Greenford Bee
Member
Great win in a very hard fought (as expected)game
The Bees were a little slow in getting started (seen this a couple of times this season when we have had a break) and it was obvious from the off that Stoke had come to win this one and not just take a point back to the sh*tteries. Burton should have scored on a couple of occassions (duffer)and we were not creating that much due to some sloppy passing in the last third.
Bit worrying well before HT when Ben came off 'injured' or possibly just knackered from his mid week exploits with Kevin replacing him. To be honest, we could have done with Mark Mc on the bench albeit we have probably seen the last of him on first team duty. Kevin did OK without ever looking like scoring but it was difficult to see where the quality was going to come from up front and this was not helped by a number of poor free kicks from Evo. In hindsight, their player getting sent off on 30 minutes was the turning point even though we have had a couple of capers against ten men this season.
The Bees were certainly on the front foot from the start of the second with Martin coming more and more into the game and Sidwell (my MOTM) really getting stuck in. To be fair, Thomas (black centre back) was excellent throughout and you have to say that they oozed quality all through their midfield. Steve's goal was very well taken and has been mentioned Paul Smith really did the biz in the last few minutes (a few to many minutes for the Bees fans present).
Stoke and the ref - Lots of quality but a very niggly team who constantly argued with the ref who should have taken a lot more action early on. He ended up booking a couple of them for dissent in the second half but should have done a lot more.
I think that all of our players did very very well in what was always going to be a crunch game.
WE ARE GOING UP (no more negative waves from the likes of the The Silent Majority even if he is a relative!!!!!)
The Bees were a little slow in getting started (seen this a couple of times this season when we have had a break) and it was obvious from the off that Stoke had come to win this one and not just take a point back to the sh*tteries. Burton should have scored on a couple of occassions (duffer)and we were not creating that much due to some sloppy passing in the last third.
Bit worrying well before HT when Ben came off 'injured' or possibly just knackered from his mid week exploits with Kevin replacing him. To be honest, we could have done with Mark Mc on the bench albeit we have probably seen the last of him on first team duty. Kevin did OK without ever looking like scoring but it was difficult to see where the quality was going to come from up front and this was not helped by a number of poor free kicks from Evo. In hindsight, their player getting sent off on 30 minutes was the turning point even though we have had a couple of capers against ten men this season.
The Bees were certainly on the front foot from the start of the second with Martin coming more and more into the game and Sidwell (my MOTM) really getting stuck in. To be fair, Thomas (black centre back) was excellent throughout and you have to say that they oozed quality all through their midfield. Steve's goal was very well taken and has been mentioned Paul Smith really did the biz in the last few minutes (a few to many minutes for the Bees fans present).
Stoke and the ref - Lots of quality but a very niggly team who constantly argued with the ref who should have taken a lot more action early on. He ended up booking a couple of them for dissent in the second half but should have done a lot more.
I think that all of our players did very very well in what was always going to be a crunch game.
WE ARE GOING UP (no more negative waves from the likes of the The Silent Majority even if he is a relative!!!!!)
Holysmit
Well-known member
Right i'm going to do it a little different its an analysis of the match/match up at Stoke to draw up points.
* Stoke as I felt up there are very strong on the attack espeically Hoestraka but very weak and unorgainised at the back. I feel the goal illustrates this and that they lack confidence in their goalkeeper who I have to say I feel is the worse goal in the division.
* Stoke were far more aggressive as a side I feel the signings of Gunnarlaugson, Dinning and Brightwell were an attempt to toughen them up and this rubbed off on the rest of the team.
* The Stoke fans were very vocal when things were going their way but very quiet when we scored
Finally here are some of the things I heard the stoke fans say after the game.
* 1-0 to the refree.
* They only had one shot.
* We (Stoke) were cheated
* Brentford don't deserve to go up now
Must add very well taken Goal mr Sidwell and you certainly proved you weren't some pants 12 year old ginger boy as he was labbelled by a certain team near Port Vale.
* Stoke as I felt up there are very strong on the attack espeically Hoestraka but very weak and unorgainised at the back. I feel the goal illustrates this and that they lack confidence in their goalkeeper who I have to say I feel is the worse goal in the division.
* Stoke were far more aggressive as a side I feel the signings of Gunnarlaugson, Dinning and Brightwell were an attempt to toughen them up and this rubbed off on the rest of the team.
* The Stoke fans were very vocal when things were going their way but very quiet when we scored
Finally here are some of the things I heard the stoke fans say after the game.
* 1-0 to the refree.
* They only had one shot.
* We (Stoke) were cheated
* Brentford don't deserve to go up now
Must add very well taken Goal mr Sidwell and you certainly proved you weren't some pants 12 year old ginger boy as he was labbelled by a certain team near Port Vale.
BoroBee
That's Mr.Puss to you pal
Without a doubt Stoke were the whingyiest ( is that a word?), cheatingest b*stards I have seen @ GP this season
Agree with most of the above but.....
Points of Info. - BBB seemed to indicate that his hamstring was the problem - Evo far from calming things down seemed to be having major disagreements with all and sundry esp. Ijah and although he did calm Rowly down after the sending off, he was not exactly a model of calmness himself which is why he got himself stupidly booked - Ijah seemed to be annoyed and confused to be getting conflicting instructions from both Coppell and Wally
Agree with most of the above but.....
Points of Info. - BBB seemed to indicate that his hamstring was the problem - Evo far from calming things down seemed to be having major disagreements with all and sundry esp. Ijah and although he did calm Rowly down after the sending off, he was not exactly a model of calmness himself which is why he got himself stupidly booked - Ijah seemed to be annoyed and confused to be getting conflicting instructions from both Coppell and Wally
Infatuated Bees Alter Ego
Well-known member
How we won this game I'll never know. (I ain't complaining though, far from it).I reckon the gods were looking down on us today.
They (Stoke) caused havoc with our defence in the first half, with great balls through the middle with Dave Theobald not looking at all confident. Deon Burton was winning everything in the air against him in the first half. How did he missed those 2 (3?) chances ?? My dear 93 year old Grand-Ma could've poked one of them away at least.
Stevie Coppell must've had some wise words said to our players at half-time, as we were a bit more organised in the second half and Stoke looked a little ragged with only 10 players on the pitch.
Felt Ijah's distribution was poor today.
We need Powelly back bigtime for the remaining 4 games and hopefully Triple B ain't too badly injured ... please lord.
Can see Stoke moaning like billiou tomorrow in the daily rags about the referee.
4 games left and ALL to play for. I truly hope we do it and not via the play-offs, as me ol' ticker just won't be able to take it.
Well done all today (what players we had out there and supporters ... superb)
They (Stoke) caused havoc with our defence in the first half, with great balls through the middle with Dave Theobald not looking at all confident. Deon Burton was winning everything in the air against him in the first half. How did he missed those 2 (3?) chances ?? My dear 93 year old Grand-Ma could've poked one of them away at least.
Stevie Coppell must've had some wise words said to our players at half-time, as we were a bit more organised in the second half and Stoke looked a little ragged with only 10 players on the pitch.
Felt Ijah's distribution was poor today.
We need Powelly back bigtime for the remaining 4 games and hopefully Triple B ain't too badly injured ... please lord.
Can see Stoke moaning like billiou tomorrow in the daily rags about the referee.
4 games left and ALL to play for. I truly hope we do it and not via the play-offs, as me ol' ticker just won't be able to take it.
Well done all today (what players we had out there and supporters ... superb)
Edmundo
Whinging pom
Well, I can't say that I enjoyed that game very much, apart from the 67th and 96th minutes, that is.
Gunnlaugsson was their best player, so it was a relief to see him go. What a stupid thing to do! Some people have said it was harsh, but I've twice seen a player do exactly the same thing (kick a player without any attempt at the ball) on telly this season - Zamora and Danny Mills. Both got red cards and I see no reason why Gunnlaugsson should get any less. Glad that Evo was on hand to stop Rowsy getting red carded for retaliation.
Can't see what Stoke have to moan about. Yeah, they had the best chances, but we took ours when it came and they didn't. No wonder Derby were happy to see the back of Deon Burton. What a load of rubbish.
It's in our hands now.
Gunnlaugsson was their best player, so it was a relief to see him go. What a stupid thing to do! Some people have said it was harsh, but I've twice seen a player do exactly the same thing (kick a player without any attempt at the ball) on telly this season - Zamora and Danny Mills. Both got red cards and I see no reason why Gunnlaugsson should get any less. Glad that Evo was on hand to stop Rowsy getting red carded for retaliation.
Can't see what Stoke have to moan about. Yeah, they had the best chances, but we took ours when it came and they didn't. No wonder Derby were happy to see the back of Deon Burton. What a load of rubbish.
It's in our hands now.
Mr Tree
President of the PBSA
have to disagree with ed in a way, i loved every minute of it, but then it was my first home game in 6 months!!
sending off was clear as day, nothing to argue about, rowlands tackled him so he just kicked him as he went past, what a dick...
burton missed two absolute sitters, lobbed it wide when one on one then miskicked in the area on his own...
goal was a long ball (no surprise there - did we not think of making a small change when bbb came off? no, we just carried on with long balls upto little kev o'connor anyway...) defender and keeper get in a muddle, defender hacks it to siddy who hits it first time, floats in top corner, cue delirium in brook rd!! managed to cut my hand in the celebrations and bleed on my khakis for 10 minutes, d'oh!!
we sat back a bit too deep right at the end, but ijah and dobbo handled hoekstra well (shows how dobbo has improved since november, where hoekstra embarassed him), and smudger was superb... yeh, if i was a stokie, i'd be a little annoyed, as it could easily have gone their way, but when has it ever gone our way?!?! we deserve this - 4 wins and we're up...
sending off was clear as day, nothing to argue about, rowlands tackled him so he just kicked him as he went past, what a dick...
burton missed two absolute sitters, lobbed it wide when one on one then miskicked in the area on his own...
goal was a long ball (no surprise there - did we not think of making a small change when bbb came off? no, we just carried on with long balls upto little kev o'connor
anyway...) defender and keeper get in a muddle, defender hacks it to siddy who hits it first time, floats in top corner, cue delirium in brook rd!! managed to cut my hand in the celebrations and bleed on my khakis for 10 minutes, d'oh!!we sat back a bit too deep right at the end, but ijah and dobbo handled hoekstra well (shows how dobbo has improved since november, where hoekstra embarassed him), and smudger was superb... yeh, if i was a stokie, i'd be a little annoyed, as it could easily have gone their way, but when has it ever gone our way?!?! we deserve this - 4 wins and we're up...
beesotted
Member
Match report and photos from yesterday now on line at www.beesotted.com
Trandy
Active member
Match report by myself now online at http://www.brentford-mad.co.uk/news/loadrprt.asp?CID=MTCH
simon_porter00
INVALID EMAIL
a tense game throughout, agree with all the sentiments above. what was the punch up about at the stoke end through the 2nd half. my mate said that the stoke lot threw a steward over the railings or something like that?
finchbee
Gambler
My main take on the game was that Stoke could not hit a cow's arse with a banjo. Deon Burton had good chances. We played better in the second half. Set piece play was poor the main times we threatened was when the ball was out wide.
Saw the Gunnlaugsson sending off again and that guy really did cost them the game. It looked far worse from the TV angle.
Saw the Gunnlaugsson sending off again and that guy really did cost them the game. It looked far worse from the TV angle.
mhead bee
Well-known member
totally agree, i hated whole game except the goal and the final whistle. Gunnlarg "whatever his name is" was the best player on the pitch but what a ****t...brainless idiot lost them the game. Nobody defended beckham in 98 but what stoke blokie did was much much worse! you cant just kick a player for no reason!!
The ref was crap but stoke are without doubt the dirtiest niggliest team I have seen for as many years as I can remember!
the ref had to keep booking their players for constant foul play and awful fouls throughout.