‘Excellent’ strikers sting Bees

IN-FORM duo Martyn Waghorn and Joe Garner ensured Ipswich maintained their 100% winning start to the Championship season.

Goals from the summer signings mean the Tractor Boys have won their opening four league fixtures for the first time since the 1974/75 campaign, when the legendary Sir Bobby Robson was in charge.

Defeat at Portman Road leaves Brentford bottom of the table, with Dean Smith’s side yet to keep a clean sheet or win this season.

Brentford started well and tested an Ipswich defence, comprised entirely of full-backs, in the early stages.

But Blues manager Mick McCarthy said he was “not worried” about his make-shift back four.

“I would have hated to have taken that side to Millwall midweek, but out there, that athletic defence suited this game.

“We had to remain disciplined and not chase the game. If we had done that we would have lost.

“I set up to sit back and hit them on the break. It was all round a good solid performance”

The visitors enjoyed plenty of possession early on and forced keeper Bartosz Bialkowski into multiple saves, the best efforts coming from Neal Maupay and Ollie Watkins.

But the Tractor Boys stood resolute, with Bialkowski getting down well to save a Maupay volley before making a sharp save to deny Watkins, who arrived from Exeter for £1.8 million in the summer.

Smith praised aspects of his side’s performance, despite their poor run of form.

“It was a case of déjà vu” said Smith.“We could have been out of sight after the first half

“Our play was very good. We created opportunities and kept the ball well, we were camped in their half then a sloppy pass would gift them a chance”

Ipswich, plagued by injuries and illness, took nearly half an hour to create a genuine opportunity. Freddie Sears broke at the Brentford defence, but was denied by an impressive lastditch tackle from Yoann Barbet as he surged into the area.

McCarthy’s men gained confidence and were ahead when Waghorn scored his fourth goal from four shots on target since arriving from Rangers.

The ball fell kindly for the striker to slot in, after David McGoldrick was bundled down on the edge of the area.

“With that strike force we’re always going to be dangerous on the break” said McCarthy.

“The strikers are doing everything I ask of them and more. They’ve been excellent.”

Eight minutes after the restart the home side extended their lead. A Grant Ward corner was met by Garner whose powerful header was cleared off the line by Nico Yennaris.

Fortunately for Garner’s sake, goal-line technology was on hand to send Town fans into a state of ecstasy.

Brentford pressed to find a way back into the game in the latter stages, as Bialkowski was again tested.

Midfielder Kamo Mokotjo tried his luck from 15 yards, but the keeper saved well.

“Frustration is the word at the moment” said Smith.

“After an impressive first half we weren’t as good after the restart and they broke the play up well.

“The lads lost belief when the second goal went in and from there it was always going to be tough.”