I was being picked up at 10 and had done all the research thatis needed to make an ok trip into something memorable – I’d found the closestpub to the ground that were ok with away fans. Sure, we did have to walk past 4pubs to get there, but it was well worth the wait.
When we arrived it was empty (it had only just turned 12)but when we left it was heaving with AFCB support, all hoping to bring 3 pointsto the seaside.
Now some of the more harsh of you have queried whether Iwrite any notes during the game as some passages of play can be sketchy. WhileI continue to hide my hurt, I will admit that for this game notes are scarce.Not because of the pre-match beers, but because there were so few clear cutchances, especially in the first half.
Both teams seemed to have got over-worried by the pre-matchhype of their equally impressive runs and were treating each other with theutmost respect. Players from both sides were quickly harried when receiving theball and although Bournemouth did edge the exchanges it wasn’t until the 28thminute that either keeper had a real save to make, a long range shot from Pugh.
Brentford started to come back into it after that but itwasn’t due to their own play but due to our own sloppy play. Too often amidfield pass would go astray and worse came from the clearances from the back.I’m not sure whether in training they learn to just hoof the ball as far asthey can – but rarely in the last 15 minutes did such a clearance fall to aBournemouth player.
This gave Brentford the platform to go forward but whileElphick and Cook were performing their usual heroics, Brentford were restrictedto long range shots – including a shot that just narrowly missed the post aftermore Arter sloppyness
Half time 0-0 – Probably a fair result
I would guess that the average height of the Brentfordplayers to be 6 feet 5 but the Brentford management clearly didn’t think thiswas enough as the subs came on to boot the average to nearly 7 feet. I was likewatching stilt men play the borrowers – but the borrowers didn’t buckle, infact they flourished
On 52 minutes Fogden had a shot blocked to Pitman who’sinstinctive shot was arrowing towards the goal before being cleared off theline. On 65 minutes Pugh had a header just wide before possibly the best chanceof the game on 70 minutes
Grabban did some excellent work down the left and squaredthe ball to Mcquoid. Mcquoid missed the ball but it went through to Fogden.“Hit it” came the cry from the 1400 or so travelling fans. Instead of thatthough, he performed a Ronaldo-esque 17 step overs before passing to Mcquoid,on his own, in the middle of the goal. His shot went wide – “oh blast” wethought, or something like that.
There was still time for Fogden to dither again as he ranthrough and refused to shoot before the time that Arter finally made his markon the game in a positive way, and not as you might be expecting, in attack.
Brentford were a good side and they put us under a lot ofpressure. I haven’t described all their chances as they were mostly long rangebut there was one move that started on the left that resulted in the ball beingsquared to an on-rushing midfielder.
We were all hoping for a piece of James’ magic but it wasn’trequired as, out of nowhere, Arter slid in and magnificently blocked thepowerhouse shot. A truly great challenge that if mis-timed, would have almostcertainly resulted in further punishment for the card happy midfielder.
Summary – Before the game I would have been happy with anaway point against a very good side like Brentford. I know that Brentford DIDhave their chances, but I can’t help but feel that this is a match that gotaway. Promotions aren’t won in January but bearing in mind who we were playingand what form they were in – I can see us going from strength to strength asthere were periods that you would have been hard pressed to guess which was thehome team. One final word, for the supporters. They were MAGNIFICENT. Cheeringand chanting throughout the game, totally out-singing the home crowd despite being out-numbered 5 to 1
Star Performer – O’Kane – Despite giving away a heightadvantage the equivalent of carrying Arter on his shoulders (an analagy with 2meanings, if you get my drift) he nevershirked his responsibility and was tireless going forward and helping out atthe back
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