Frank’s first ‘barbecue’ is a winner

IT WAS so nearly the scene mapped out in those brochures and board meetings. Ethan Pinnock squeezed a header inside a post and cemented his place in folklore with the first competitive goal at this glitzy new ground. And yet all that greeted the defender as he wheeled away were deserted rows of polka-dot seats. Even if the house-warming bash was a bit light on numbers, Thomas Frank’s side were up and running at the Brentford Community Stadium. And on course for the Carabao Cup second round. But here against Wycombe, history boy turned fall-guy when Pinnock’s risky back pass allowed new signing Daryl Horgan to net a late equaliser. A shootout win stopped Gareth Ainsworth’s side spoiling the party. ‘It’s like when you move into your new home and you have a nice barbecue with your friends,’ Frank reflected. ‘It went well, the first barbecue. Hopefully we can have a big party with the fans.’ First a trip to Southampton awaits. St Mary’s is among the identikit stadiums to spring up in recent years but Brentford’s new home looks and feels like their own. It is a gleaming illustration of their rise and just as Griffin Park matched its tight surrounds, so this fits in among the new builds around Kew Bridge. Time will tell if the atmosphere of Griffin Park survives the short trip. But ultimately, whether Frank’s side can carry over their form of last season will decide if this move propels Brentford to new heights or makes them yearn for yesteryear. Arsenal and West Ham know that newer and bigger doesn’t always mean better. ‘If we play fantastically or not in the first part of the season, I don’t think it will have anything to do with the new stadium,’ Frank insisted. Defeat by Fulham in the play-off final denied Brentford the chance to christen new pastures in more glamorous company. It looks like costing them their best players, too. Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma weren’t in the squad, and Brentford needed Luke Daniels to save Scott Kashket’s spot-kick to ensure they got the job done in odd circumstances.