BEES LACKING BUZZ

NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Marcus Forss and Luke Daniels celebrate as the Bees launch life at their new stadium with a win on penalties

Instead of a party by Kew Bridge, the baptism in a colourful mosaic of unoccupied seats was a shoot- out in an echo chamber at Brentford Community Stadium.

Just 33 days after the heartbreak of the Bees’ play- off 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 team 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 the unmarked Pinnock and the central defender’s firm header kissed the far post on its way past Wycombe keeper Ryan Allsop.

Frank was satisfied enough with the housewarming bash, saying: “I expect us to do well here.

“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. Hopefully we can look forward to having a party with our fans in the stadium.”

Wycombe, depleted by Dominic Gape’s straight red card three minutes after the break, deservedly sent the tie to penalties after sub Daryl Horgan’s equaliser 14 minutes from time, only for the Chairboys to lose their seat in the shoot- out.

Meanwhile, the Bees’ ‘ BMW’ attack of Said Benrahma, Bryan Mbeumo and Ollie Watkins are unlikely to be around – at least as a trio – when next Saturday’s Championship kick- off comes round at Birmingham.

£ 20m- rated Watkins is Aston Villa boss Dean Smith’s top target, and Frank said: “There has been a lot of rumours about Said and Ollie. We are open to offers, but only if the price is right.”

Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth said: “It was a real privilege to come here, take a fantastic club to penalties, and we leave with our heads held high.”