Town continued their good start to the season with a 2-0 away victory at Brentford's Griffin Park last night. Goals from David Johnson (64) and a marvellous Jamie Clapham free-kick six minutes later sent the Suffolk hordes wild both in the ground and around the pubs and bars showing the game on Sky.
Lining up as against Forest, Town started less impressively than on Saturday and it wasn't until the thirteenth minute that they created anything significant. A long ball from Jamie Scowcroft sent David Johnson away, chased by two defenders. He looked odds on to score when Darren Powell sent him flying with the most agricultural of challenges. A red card seemed inevitable, however after consultation with his linesman, the referee decided a yellow card was punishment enough. Mark Venus sent the free-kick into the wall.
Town's other main chances in a fairly balanced first half came from David Johnson and Matt Holland, who certainly should have done better with his low drive wide of the post. Brentford went close a couple of times, most noticibly when Andy Scott was put through by Scott Partridge. Replays showed a hint of offside as the left winger hammered the ball well over.
Town gradually took control as the second half wore on and it was little surprise when they took the lead. A neat ball from Richard Naylor sent David Johnson through once more and he casually and confidently beat the badly place Andy Woodman in goal. Two goals in two games now for Johnson with him looking to have got much of the pace that was so desperately missing last season back. Very good news for Town indeed.
Town's second came after Johnson was fouled just outside the penalty box by Darren Powell once again. Jamie Clapham stepped up to show that his continental style skills extend further than his Cruyff turns and curled an inch perfect Arnold Muhren-style free-kick in at Woodman's left corner. Quite what Andy Scott was up to on the post is a fair question. Being scared of the ball was our bet.
From then on it was an easy ride for Town who looked the more likely to score. Another impressive result and still no goals conceded from open play. What more could we have asked for?
R Wright 8 Little to do again
Stockwell 7 Busy as usual
Clapham 8 Excellent goal, excellent performance
Thetis 6 The odd shaky moment
Venus 8 Did nothing wrong all night
McGreal 7 Another promising performance
Holland 7 Neat passing
J Wright 7 Quiet, but effective
Scowcroft 7 Quieter than Saturday, but some good moments
Johnson 9 Easily on his best form for a while and back scoring! (Axeldal 89)
Naylor 7 Another assist (Wilnis 69)
Subs not used: Salmon, Brown, Logan