Brighton & Hove Albion 1 Brentford 0
By Tim Hodges at Withdean
The Albion remain top of League One after a workman like and dogged performance at home to the Bees.
Both teams struggled to find chances in the opening period. The best of these fell to Lua Lua after receiving a pin point pass from Kishischev. But the Newcastle loanee shot wide.
Ex Albion captain Nicky Forster also had a good chance but failed to trouble Caper Ankergren with a header.
The new partnership of Barnes and Sandaza was looking a little frail up front. Although the two were starting to form and understanding the midfield players appeared unable to thread the ball through.
On the half hour a snapshot from Elliott Bennett was pushed away by Brentford keeper Hamer.
A few minutes later he saved smartly from an Ashley Barnes shot down to his left.
Just as half time approached the Albion were on top but could not find a way through the Brentford back line
On the re-start the visitors had a great chance to go ahead. As Wood, from the edge of the area hit a fierce shot, which Ankergren managed to push on to the bar.
This was after good possession play from Brentford.
However the Bees where only to have one more chance of note from then on.
At the hour mark Glenn Murray replaced Sandaza. This change brought the midfield players more into the game, as one of Murray’s supplementary skills is holding the ball up.
Lua Lua as is almost expected, was tormenting his full back and whipped in two or three inviting crosses.
Brentford’s O’Conner raced away and tested Ankergren from 30 yards out, but the big Dane parried and grabbed at the second attempt
Then as Bennett miss controlled in the centre circle, the superb El Abd was forced to deal with the suddenly free Bean. By doing this El Abd took a yellow card for the team.
Albion continued patient attacking play. Lua Lua was the main outlet ,after a couple of wayward efforts the Congolese man hit a low drive which Hamer could not reach, to put the Seagulls front. He celebrated with his now customary somersault.
From then on the Albion dominated Murray and Barnes forcing a great double save from Hamer.
In the four minutes of injury time Brentford pressed for parity, but the rock solid Albion defence had it all under control.
Albion: Ankergren; Calderon, Elphick, El-Abd, Painter; Sparrow (sub Dicker 55), Kishishev (sub Bridcutt 60), LuaLua; Bennett; Sandaza (sub Murray 60), Barnes. Subs not used: Battipiedi, Baz, Dunk, Brezovan.
Brentford: Hamer; Spillane, Balkestein (sub Legge 46), Osborne, Woodman; Wood (sub Adams 81), Bean, O’Connor, Weston, Weston; Alexander (sub Cort 79), Forster. Subs not used: McCracken, Saunders, Hudson, Lee.
Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey).
