BEES REVENGE IS FINALLY SERVED
Brentford climb up to tenth with win
IT WAS a long time coming for Brentford fans, but their reaction at full time suggested it was worth the wait.
Twelve years after Jamie Cureton sent Reading into Division One – as it was known then – at the expense of the West London club, the Bees tasted victory in the first M4 derby since that promotion shoot-out at Griffin Park in April 2002.
The hosts led 2-0 at half time, courtesy of goals from Jota and Alex Pritchard. Simon Cox scored four minutes after coming on at half time to rally the visitors, only for Jonathan Douglas to seal the win for Mark Warburton's side late on.
Brentford have won three of their last four at Griffin Park, and moved above the Royals by virtue of this victory.
“It's a very, very pleasing result. To a man, defensively, we were outstanding,” said Warburton. “If there is a criticism from us, we could have taken care of the the ball better.
“But if we’re looking for criticisms after we’ve just beaten Reading 3-1, that means we’re in good shape.”
Barely 75 seconds had passed when Pritchard clipped the post with a curling effort from the edge of the box. This set the tone for the opening period.
The hosts opened the scoring on 11 minutes, as Jota found himself at the right place at the right time. Alan McCormack's cross eluded Andre Gray, but was tapped in by the Spaniard from close range.
After Nick Blackman had threatened twice for Reading, the visitors went further behind on 32 minutes.
Aaron Kuhl was dispossessed by Douglas, who laid off to Gray on the edge of the box. The Bees leading scorer slipped on the wet pitch, yet the ball fell to Pritchard who fired home.
“You cannot concede the goals we conceded,” said Reading manager Nigel Adkins.
“It's hugely annoying, frustrating because I thought we came here in good spirits.
“We have to stop the crosses. It's basic defending. We cannot keep allowing easy balls in the box, and easy first contacts on the ball.
“There’s been too many [goals scored in this way] this season - we’ve identified it, and we’re working on it on the training ground.”
However, the introduction of Cox and Jamie Mackie at the interval injected life into Reading, with the contrast in their performance across the halves befitting of a team who had won three, drawn two and lost two league games prior to this encounter.
It didn’t take long for Adkins' side to get themselves back in the game.
Mackie drove through the Brentford midfield, and his low, bobbling shot was diverted in by Cox.
“We made a couple of changes, we scored straight away and the momentum was with us,” added Akins.
“We were on the front foot, we had a lot of players on that pitch capable of scoring goals – including five strikers at the end - but we didn’t put the ball in the net again.”
Not that it was for the want of trying: Glenn Murray headed wide from Chris Gunter's cross, then over at the front post from Blackman's corner, and Mackie had a curling effort well saved by Button.
However, nine minutes from time, Douglas's header at the back post from Pritchard's corner just about crossed the line to put the game beyond Reading's reach.
Warbuton praised his goalscorer, saying: “I'm delighted for him. He came back in the summer lighter, fitter, leaner and hungrier, and he’s been outstanding for us. He wanted the ball more for the goal.”