Okenabirhie and Holloway on the scoresheet in Brentford defeat
Town: Steven Arnold (Trialist, 45), James Bolton (Luke Hendrie, 69), Toto Nsiala (Kieran Kennedy, 78) Omar Beckles (Mat Sadler, 59), Ryan Haynes, Alex Gilliead (Abo Eisa, 75), Jon Nolan (Sam Jones, 59), Bryn Morris (Arthur Gnahoua, 82), Doug Loft (Ryan Barnett, 85), Aaron Amadi-Holloway (Stefan Payne, 59) and Fejiri Okenabirhie (Lenell John-Lewis, 59).
Subs: Trialist, Kieran Kennedy, Mat Sadler, Stefan Payne, Sam Jones, Arthur Gnahoua, Lenell John-Lewis, Luke Hendrie, Abo Eisa and Ryan Barnett.
Subs: Jack Bonham, David Titov, Ali Coote, Jarvis Edobor and Jonny Mitchell.
Referee: Chris Sarginson
Assistants: Olli Williams and Rav Cheosiaus
Fourth Official: Mark Groves
Attendance: 1334 (116)
Team News: John Askey names a strong contingent of players for the visit of Brentford. The team will line up in a 433 formation with Fejiri Okenabirhie and Alex Gilliead on the wing supporting Holloway up top in Askey’s first game at the Montgomery Waters Meadow.
Askey’s first game at the Montgomery Waters Meadow would end in defeat to the visiting Brentford. Despite a good performance from the team, Brentford edged the score line with a 3-2 victory.
Goals coming from new signings Aaron Amadi-Holloway and Fejiri Okenabirhie were not be enough to get past The Bees in Town’s only Pre-Season fixture at home.
First half:
The game started with both teams trying to attack the opposition back line. Brentford’s number seven, Sergi Canos managed to let off a shot but captain for the day, Omar Beckles leaped to get his body in the way. His clearance sparked a counter attack and Town were unlucky to not get a man on the ball from Alex Gilliead’s driven cross, which whistled along The Bees box.
Brentford were the team that got off the mark first, through Marcus Forss. The Bees number nine was dealt some good luck from a Bryn Morris mistake. The
striker was fed a through ball from the middle of the park and made the mistake costly, slotting the ball past Steven Arnold.
Town didn’t look like sitting back after conceding and Brentford’s lead didn’t last. A lofted through ball found its way to Fejiri Okenabirhie on the left side and the Town new boy smashed home his chance in the top left corner of the goal, brining the score level.
After just 26 minutes of the half another goal was scored. An own goal by Toto Nsiala put Brentford in the lead. A shot rebounding off the post hit the defender and bundled into the back of the net.
Town were beginning settle into the game and pressure Brentford more and more with ten minutes to go in the half. Gillliead’s impressive wing play continued as 22-year old beat his man but couldn’t beat the far post from outside of the box with a driven shot.
Brentford went into the half time break with a one-goal lead. Despite the score line, Town looked strong towards the latter stages of the half and will look to continue that in the second half.
Second half:
Town came out in the second half right where they left off in the first, dominating the possession and having the better of the chances. Alex Gilliead came very close to drawing the scores just after the 55-minute mark. The winger’s shot was saved and put out for a corner by The Bees keeper Luke Daniels. The subsequent corner resulted in Amadi-Holloway getting his first goal for Town with a good header into the corner of the goal, brining the score to 2-2.
The next ten minutes didn’t wield any goalmouth action but the game started to open up with Brentford getting their eye on goal. However, Town’s defensive resolve was tested remained strong as the trialist keeper made his first, but crucial save in the game, keeping Town level against the Championship outfit.
Romaine Sawyers had the next opportunity for The Bees, the attacking midfielder latched onto a cross in the Town box but couldn’t find the target to the relief of the Town defensive contingent.
The Bees were looking stronger as the game went on. In the 82nd minute they took a chance through Emiliano Camargo. The Bees number 10 latched onto a low cross and slotted the ball into the net, giving the visitors the lead.
The game ended 3-2 with Brentford taking home the win. Goals from Amadi-Holloway and Fejiri Okenabirhie were not enough to edge the score line.