Townson happy with ‘outstanding’ victory

FRANK PRAISES BEES BUT SAYS DRAWS NEED TO BE TURNED INTO WINS

THOMAS FRANK does not feel Brentford are far away from turning draws into wins at this crucial stage of the Championship season, after seeing a two-goal lead slip away to Cardiff City on Saturday.

Luka Racic and Bryan Mbeumo put Bees ahead, but Cardiff hit back to level before the interval, the goals coming after the home side’s Will Vaulks appeared to get away with kneeing Christian Norgaard in the head, Frank adamant the Cardiff man should have seen red.

“First I must praise the boys,” he

GLEN TOWNSON was a happy man after Ealing Trailfinders earned a tremendous victory at Coventry in the Championship, saying “the work-rate was outstanding”.

It was an eighth win in a row for the second-placed side, who had to combat horrendous conditions in driving rain and wind.

“The boys put a hell of a shift in,” Townson declared on the club’s website.

“I’m very pleased with that win. When you go away to Coventry on a Friday night in those type of conditions, it’s a lot about the attitude you bring and we had it in abundance, told the Brentford website. “In many ways I am pleased with them. We showed a top attitude from the first second. We dominated the ball and created chances and opportunities, and went 2-0 up as we were totally in control of the first 25 minutes.

“Then we conceded a goal and it went a little bit back and forth. It was a good goal from Cardiff to be fair.

“We conceded again and we knew they were very good from long throws and they got back in it.

“I’m pleased we went out in the second half on the front foot. It was a from the off. I thought the work-rate was outstanding and the game control was really good and I’m very happy with four points.

“We pride ourselves on our work ethic and the boys have been driving those sort of standards for a while now, but you need it when you go to places like that.

“You have 2,500 fans on top of you, and they got quite loud and noisy and you are going to get that. I think the boys’ attitude, from everyone, was fantastic.

“This win was no more than what they deserved as they have put an incredible amount of work in since bit too much back and forth, but we kept going and we kept trying to get that final pas to create a third goal.”

That eluded Frank’s side who are in fifth place and now 11 points off Leeds United who they could have overtaken a couple of weeks back.

“It seems we are in a spell that we need to do even more to turn draws into wins,” he added. “We need to work harder and do everything we can to play better. We’ve been so good at defending. In spells against Cardiff we did very well, but in two crucial moments we didn’t. the week before Christmas. They go into a nine-day break now, which they’ve really earned.”

That 26-14 home defeat to the table toppers on December 21 was a blow, but Townson added: “I think the boys have really learned a lot since that Newcastle game. When you go away to places where the pitches might not be in ideal condition, you are sometimes better off playing without the ball.

“We pride ourselves on our exit work and the boys have really turned the corner with that. Our backs have started to understand what we want and the tactical awareness of the

“I think we are close [to winning again]. We have a lot of setbacks in games, but we are handling that quite well and it shows a lot about what we are trying to achieve.”

Meanwhile, Fulham continue to put pressure on Leeds as they won 2-0 at home to Preston North End, with an own goal from David Nugent in the 58th minute and a last-minute goal from Aboubakar Kamara.

In means the Cottagers are just five points behind the Yorkshire giants in third place, with everything to play for. group has really improved and it’s great to see them leading it themselves now. That’s testament to them and their ability to learn and kick on.

“This block of six or seven goals has really seen us move forward.”

Ealing remain tucked in behind runaway leaders Newcastle Falcons, who are 13 points clear having won all of their 14 matches so far.

Cornish Pirates are in third place, six points behind the Trailfinders.

“We’ll stay grounded and keep working hard when we get back from the break with some huge challenges ahead in the next few months,” added Townson.

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