Brentford 3 – 2 McFranchise

Brentford climbed to fourth, just two points behind top spot, after a thrilling game against high flying Franchise.

Both teams played exciting, high quality football but Brentford deserved their victory no matter what their stupid scouse manager might say.

Franchise had the better of the early period with Moore pulling off a couple of great saves before Ryan Lowe scored in the 13th minute. The bees could have scored first though after Clayton was put through one-on-one with the keeper. Well you know what happens when Clayton is in that position but at least he made the keeper save it.

The bees then came into the game more with Forrester hitting the post with a lovely curling shot and Trotta putting the ball into the net only to be called offside. This reporter has never understood how you can be offside from a shot – I thought you had to be deliberately passed to but hey ho.

Within a couple of minutes to half time a lovely run into the box from Forrester and a cheeky poke across the six yard box with the outside of his right boot saw the bees level as Clayton ran on to the pass and smash home.

Franchise began the second half brightly too and took the lead once more just seven minutes after the break. it was pretty even after that but Brentford slowly started to take control again. Trotta fired at the keeper who couldn’t hold on to it and Forrester was on hand to smash the loose ball in to level the scores.

Both sides went for the win and two minutes from time it was Forrester’s turn to fire at the keeper and Clayton’s turn to score from the loose ball.

The bees comfortably saw off Franchise’s onslaught in the 4 minutes of added time with a wonderful hook out of the box from Douglas quelling their ardour.

An absolutely terrific game, with lots of classy, exciting, end to end football. Fair play to the Franchise. They are a good team but we were better.

Forrester was superb, often jinking his way through double-marking and having to take a lot of heavy tackles but Douglas was magnificent, absolutely everywhere clearing balls out of his box one moment and chasing down their keeper the next.

Reeves came on for Forshaw and played some nice stuff for the last 15 minutes or so. Good to have him back.

We are on a terrific run now and beating quality teams with quality football. With Notts County (A) and Stevenage (H) before Christmas the tough but hopefully fruitful run will continue.

Moore; Logan, Dean, Craig, Bidwell; Dave (sub Kiernan 62 mins); Donaldson, Douglas, Forshaw (sub Reeves 78 mins), Forrester; Trotta (sub Hodson 90 mins)

Subs (not used): Lee, Dallas, Saunders, Hayes