Thomas is Frank-ly ecstatic as Watkins closes gap at top
OLLIE WATKINS fired Brentford closer to the edge of heaven with his
20th goal of the season before manager Thomas Frank roared, “Bring on Leeds.”
The game had reached the 87th minute when top scorer Watkins drilled home Christian Norgaard’s low centre.
Brentford could take another step towards their dream of reaching the Premier League when they face Leeds at Elland Road on Tuesday night.
Frank said: “It will be another fantastic game to be part of – between two of the best teams in the division.
“Both want to dominate the ball, both want to press high and play with real aggression and I hope it will be another top game to watch and naturally three more points.”
Frank saluted his team for digging out another crucial win after they were twice pegged back by Boro’s persistence.
He said: “It shows what character, attitude and mentality there is.
“The most important bit, when teams are banking in, is to keep going with discipline.
“We created the final goal just by outplaying them.”
The Bees are moving into their new
18,000-capacity Community Stadium a mile away in Lionel Road next season – and at this rate, they will be christening it in the Premier League.
Brentford’s BMW front line – Said Benrahma, Bryan Mbeumo and Watkins – have pace to burn and for 45 minutes they swarmed all over Boro, although it took the buzz on referee Peter Bankes’ vibrating watch to get them going after
24 minutes. Boro had enjoyed a narrow escape when Josh Dasilva’s header hit the post and Dael Fry hacked clear before the ball crossed the line.
But four minutes later, Ethan Pinnock headed down Mathias Jensen’s corner and, this time, Bankes’ timepiece sprung into life when Julian Jeanvier hooked it beyond Aynsley Pears.
The visitors improved markedly in the second half and they were rewarded by Lewis Wing’s equaliser from
25 yards off the post. It was the first of three goals in five madcap minutes.
Boro were behind again within 90 seconds when Mbeumo’s off-target shot took a wicked deflection off Harold Moukoudi and wrongfooted Pears.
Instead of dwelling on their misfortune, the Teessiders hit back immediately, Ashley Fletcher heading home.
When Benrahma fired over wastefully from 12 yards with time running out, it looked as if Brentford would have to settle for a point.
But Watkins had the final say and beaten Boro boss Jonathan Woodgate said: “We matched them for long periods – I’m disappointed we didn’t get a point.”