As early as the second minute the nature of the game soon became apparent as a Danny Thomas corner was met by Marcus Browning for him to glance the ball home from within the 6 yard box. Moments later Brentford had equalised with when the referee adjudged that a foul had been committed inside our area (5 minutes) which saw a penalty converted to level the scores. With Brentford riding high in the Second Division, one might have expected Bournemouth to wilt under increasing pressure, but not this side. Bournemouth got back to it and were rewarded when Alan Connell netted after a well worked Thomas/Purches free kick (on 15 minutes). The action wasn't over by any means. Just 10 minutes later Bournemouth claimed a penalty when a Brentford defender handled the ball at the top of the area (with no one near him). Unfortunately Elliott's spot kick was saved.
For a few minutes, the pace of the game slowed, to allow players to catch a breath after a lightening start, but only for 9 minutes when Carl Fletcher latched on to the ball. His bullet of a volley flew wide and would have been a 'Goal Of The Season' contender if had been on target. We didn't have to wait long though for one of the best goals we've seen for many a long time. Derek Holmes looped the ball from the Bournemouth left over the top of the Brentford defence, for the on running Danny Thomas to split the visitors central defenders. His first time 25-yard shot was blistering, giving the Brentford keeper absolutley no chance whatsoever. The home fans, including me doing commentary for this match report, went absolutely crazy in delight and celebration as we went in at the break 3-1 up. What might have been if Wizard Wade had netted the spot kick!!
HT: 3-1
The second half was just as entertaining as Brentford came out firing on all cyclinders to claw themselves back in to the match, but the first clear effort fell to Derek Holmes who forced a great save from Brentford's keeper.
Relative clam broke out as a few minutes without incident passed, but on 57 minutes another penalty was awarded when Neil Young commited a foul on Brentford's O'Connor, who cooly netted his second penalty of the match.
Then disaster struck for Bournemouth. Chris Tardif fumbled a save, went down to gather at the second attempt, but collided with a boot from a Brentford attacker going for the ball. Needless to say Tardif's face came out second best. On came Gareth O'Connor for Tardif, with goal-hero Browning taking over the goal keeping duties for the remainder of the match. His first task was to pick the ball out of the back of the net when an unstoppable shot whistled past him. I don't think a regular keeper would have made a difference. So on 72 minutes the scores were level again!!
Credit to Browning, as his first save came 6 minutes after taking over in goal as he blocked well with his feet (clearly showing his outfield skills!!). Then in the final 5 minutes Wade Elliott had a chance to clinch the match, but agonisingly saw the ball fly over and catch the roof of the goal instead.
EXTRA TIME (no golden goal rule)
The pace of the game wasn't quite to 100mph, but still plenty to report as both sides went out for the winning goal and save the need for a penalty shoot out.
Elliott and Maher forced Brentford back and good saves from their keeper, before a gilt edge chance was wasted by Holmes. Wade Elliott jinked and turned down the Bournemouth right, crossed to Holmes and O'Connor who only had the keeper to beat. On his wrong foot, Holmes hit the outside of the post, when may be it might have been better if he'd left it to O'Connor. As it was the ref's assistant had already raised his flag for an off-side - but what a chance!!
On 114 minutes Browning pulled off a great save as he tipped the ball over the bar and to safety.
PENALTIES
Unfortunately we didn't win this one. Wade Elliott and Derek Holmes kept Bournemouth level, but misses from Cark Fletcher and Jamie Hayter meant that Brentford went through (2-4). Although Browning didn't save any of the penalties, he did get very close to 3 of them and was unlucky not to pull off a save.
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AFCB: Tardiff, Purches, Maher, Tindall, Broadhurst, Browning, C Fletcher, Elliott, Thomas, Connell, Holmes
Subs: O'Connor (for Tardif on 66), Young (for Broadhurst on 26), Stock, Eribenne, Hayter (for Connell on 70)
Andy Burton, Portsmouth