LOLLEY’S AN EARLY RISER
Quick-fire Joe helps Forest move up to third
JOE LOLLEY gave Nottingham Forest’s promotion hopes a huge boost with an early winner at Griffin Park.
Sabri Lamouchi’s side moved above Fulham to within two points of the automatic places after a tense clash of the Championship high-fliers.
And as so often talisman Lolley, 27, popped up with a crucial goal when his shot from 20 yards was deflected past keeper David Raya.
The home crowd are relishing their last few games at the old stadium but it was a packed away end that was celebrating in the 14th minute.
Tiago Silva’s corner from the left was only punched by Raya to the edge of the area and from there Lolley’s shot took a nick off Julian Jeanvier and looped past the Spaniard.
However, Brentford should have been level in the 23rd minute.
Bryan Mbeumo scorched down the right and slipped the ball to leading scorer Ollie Watkins but for once the striker pulled his shot to the right of the post.
From the goal-kick Forest keeper Brice Samba was booked for time-wasting with only a quarter of the match gone.
And a frustrated Said Benrahma was then rightly shown a yellow card for kicking out at Forest’s Samba Sow before his snap-shot was deflected for a corner by Ben Watson.
But Forest should have doubled their lead when Lolley’s free-kick found the unmarked Joe Worrall, who was offered the chance of heading in or back across goal but managed neither.
After the break, 16-goal Lewis Grabban fired straight at Raya with the goal gaping and the forward appealed for a penalty after being challenged by Ethan Pinnock.
As Brentford battled for an equaliser, Rico Henry got forward from left-back but his drive was pouched by Samba.
Then Bees sub Emiliano Marcondes saw his free-kick tipped over by the Congo man.