PINNOCK CREATES HISTORY FOR BEES
But no fans present for first goal in new home
EMPTY skies and deserted stands greeted Brentford’s brave new world as Ethan Pinnock christened football’s latest feat of civil engineering.
Instead of a party by Kew Bridge, the baptism in a colourful mosaic of unoccupied seats was a shoot- out in an echo chamber.
Flight paths on the final approach to Heathrow over west London would normally be teeming with planes.
But a pandemic and quarantine rules changing like the spools on a fruit machine have removed entire fleets of jets from the Bees’ orbit.
And cutting the ribbon at a sparkling new stadium is usually a kaleidoscope of balloons, streamers, boring speeches and parades of club legends.
But instead of a symphony of noise by the Thames, the celebration was a hollow charade.
Just 33 days after the heartbreak of Brentford’s playoff final defeat at Wembley, the honour fell to Pinnock to score the first- ever goal in their impressive 17,250- seater home at Lionel Road. For a side built on manager Thomas Frank’s sophistication, the answer to a future pub quiz question after 32 minutes was uncomplicated.
Mathias Jensen’s free- kick picked out unmarked Pinnock and the central defender’s firm header kissed the far post on its way past Wycombe keeper Ryan Allsop.
In truth, moments of history like Pinnock’s goal are devalued if supporters are excluded, but Frank was satisfied enough with the housewarming bash.
“I expect us to do well here,” he said. “I love Griffin Park, and it will be forever part of some wonderful memories I’ll never forget, but hopefully we can create some new memories here.
“It’s like moving into a new home and you have a nice barbecue with friends – I think the first barbecue went well, and soon hopefully we can look forward to having a party with our fans in the stadium.”
Brave Wycombe, depleted by Dominic Gape’s straight red three minutes after the break, deservedly sent the tie to penalties after Daryl Horgan’s equaliser 14 minutes from time, only for the Chairboys to lose their seat in the shoot- out.
But never mind the football, admire the architecture.
The Brentford Community Stadium is infinitely nicer than so many flat- pack new grounds, being hemmed in by a triangle of railway lines and depots.
Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth said: “It was a real privilege to come here, and we leave with our heads held high.” BRENTFORD Daniels; Thompson ( Valencia 84), Goode, Pinnock, Henry; Canos, Jensen, Marcondes ( Baptiste 72), Zamburek; Fosu ( Forss 77), Toney. Goal: Pinnock 32.
WYCOMBE ( 4- 4- 2): Allsop; Grimmer, Stewart, Charles, Jacobsen; Wheeler ( Onyedinma 75), Bloomfield, Gape, Freeman; Samuel ( Horgan 65), Parker ( Kashket 65). Goal: Horgan 76.