Match 22. Brentford v Tranmere Rovers

Saturday 19^th January 2012 @3pm

Football League One

BRENTFORD 1-2 TRANMERE

Griffin Park, Braemar Road, Brentford

Admission: £23

Programme:  £3 (68pp)

Attendance: 6,948

Drink: Guinness £3.20 (in the Royal Oak)

I bit of a lottery today as the postponed games came as thick and fast as the snow on Friday.  On Saturday morning, I wasn’t going to bother but had a change of heart as volunteers were sweeping of the snow at Crystal Palace, Brentford and Dulwich Hamlet.  I have visited each venue several times before but to get my Saturday Footy fix it was down to these 3.  A reply from fellow enthusiast Dave UkPunk that he was also going to Griffin Park led me to get the re-timed train to Brentford.  Although services were reduced, the journey was delay free and arrived and went to get mine and Dave’s ticket from the ticket office on my Card as the post Christmas wages are being stretched.  However, the Ticket Office was only taking bookings for the upcoming Chelsea FA Cup match, which should be a sell-out, so it was cash on the turnstiles only.  So after procuring my programme at the club shop, I met up with Dave, Barry, Mrs Sandhurstbee and 2x Sandhurstbee Jnrs in a packed Royal Oak.  This is one of four pubs, each on a corner of the ground.  The area was historically owned by the Griffin Brewery and the other three pubs are The Griffin, The New Inn and The Princess Royal.

 

I sat in the Braemar Road Stand (now Bees United) which has paddock seating at the front and a higher tier behind it.  The New Road Stand (Bill Axbey) is opposite and incorporates the dugouts.  To the left is the small double decker Away Stand where the 400+ Tranmere supporters are located, and the covered Ealing Road terrace completes the structures.  Although I didn’t partake in any refreshment, I noted that the prices were reasonable for League One level.

This was a top of the table clash and I thought most of the first half was cagey as risks didn’t seem to be high on the agenda.  Apart from a tip over by Williams and several dangerous runs by Tranmere Akpro on the left, the game was in desperate need of a goal.  Just before half time, Akpro got space on the left and slipped the ball to Amoo who was tripped by Dean inside the box.  A fairly blatant penalty was despatched by Robinson.

Brentford had more of possession in the second half and drew level 5 minutes from the restart.  A clumsy challenge in the Tranmere half allowed the delivery to the near post to be headed in by Dean.  Brentford continued to push but were being foiled by the strong Tranmere side.  Then against the run of play, Tranmere went 2-1 up.  McGurk ran in from the wing and with Brentford defence not committing the tackle, drove a low shot passed the keeper.  Brentford pretty much camped out in the Tranmere half for the last quarter of the game, but even with 6 minutes stoppage time, failed to get the equaliser.  Sam Saunders was supplying the material for the Brentford forwards and his excellent free kick was superbly saved by Williams near the end of the game.

I did wonder whether Tranmere won by their strength or whether some of the home side had one eye on the big Cup game next week.