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Town 1-1 Brentford - Match Report
Saturday, 7th Mar 2015 17:01

Town missed a succession of second-half chances as they drew 1-1 at home with fellow play-off challengers Brentford. Daryl Murphy put the Blues ahead in the ninth minute via his 22nd goal of the season, Jonathan Douglas hit back for the Bees, before the Blues failed to take numerous opportunities to win it in the second half with Murphy missing a gilt-edged chance just after half-time.

Town boss Mick McCarthy recalled keeper Dean Gerken in place of Bartosz Bialkowski, one of four changes to the team which lost at Leeds.

While the back four was unchanges, Richard Chaplow came in on the right of midfield with Jay Tabb in the centre with Cole Skuse and Jonny Parr on the left. Murphy and Freddie Sears returned up front.

Brentford struck the first shot of the game in the third minute, one-time Town target Alan Judge cutting in from the left before hitting a low effort wide of Gerken’s right post.

As at Griffin Park on Boxing Day, Town scored with their first chance of the match, although on this occasion after nine minutes rather than 18 seconds.

Chaplow sent over a deep cross from the right, Christophe Berra nodded downwards towards goal, and Murphy added the final touch off the post at close range to claim his 22nd goal of the season and end his four-game mini-goal drought.

Four minutes after the Blues had taken the lead Sears was sent through the middle, battling with Liam Moore but was unable to shake the defender off and eventually his shot hit a defender.

The Blues kept up the pressure and on 13 Murphy almost made the most of Bees keeper David Button rushing out of his goal to the left chasing Tommy Smith’s long ball, but the Irishman hit his shot into the side-netting from a very tight angle.

On 15 Chaplow played Parr into a promising position on the left of the area but the Norwegian smashed his low shot across the face of goal.

Gerken, playing his first game since suffering a groin problem in the warm-up at Blackpool in November, was first called into action in the 23rd minute when he dived away to his left to claim Alex Pritchard’s 25-yard strike.

But two minutes later the visitors were on terms. Space was cleverly worked for Judge to cross from the right, Gerken superbly saved Stuart Dallas’s low far-post volley but Bees skipper Jonathan Douglas reacted quickly to nod home the rebound.

Brentford weren’t far from a second in the 31st minute when Judge got ahead of Parr to flick a Pritchard left-wing cross wide at the far post.


Two minutes later, the Bees failed to deal with a Tabb freekick in from the left but the ball just wouldn’t fall for Sears and then Mings. On 37 Pritchard picked up the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Skuse.

The Bees had been on top since equalising but the Blues created an opportunity in the 38th minute, Sears crossing from the right to Murphy, who was just unable to work the ball into a position from which he could shoot.

There was controversy in the 41st minute when Murphy played in Parr from the right, sending the Norwegian through towards goal on the edge of the box where he was awkwardly felled by Moses Odubajo.

Referee Scott Duncan looked to have a big decision to make but instead pulled play back to penalise Murphy - perhaps for handball - much the surprise and annoyance of the home crowd.

The Bees went close to going in front soon, Andre Gray turning Pritchard’s cross from the right only just wide after Judge had seized on a weak Mings header.

Just before the break, Tabb broke quickly following a poorly worked Brentford corner, finding Sears on the right. The ex-Colchester man crossed low to Chaplow, whose shot was saved by Button and Tabb and Murphy were unable to get onto the rebound.

The 1-1 scoreline at the break was a reasonable reflection of a game which had swung one way and then the other with both teams having had chances to add to their goal.

The Blues might have had it sealed had they taken their opportunities straight after Murphy had put them in the lead, but the Bees came back into it and deserved their equaliser when it came and had chances to get themselves in front before the break.

Less than a minute after the restart the Blues should have been back in front. Parr escaped down the left of the area and cut the ball across to Murphy, who was a matter of feet out. But, with the goal gaping, somehow the Championship’s top scorer slid in and diverted the ball over the bar when a goal seemed certain.

A minute later, Sears saw a shot blocked, then after Town had made rather heavy weather of clearing a Brentford corner from the left, Douglas was booked for a foul on Parr.

The Blues should have got their noses back in front again in the 57th minute when Tabb found Berra in space on the left of the area following a corner. The Scottish international played a low ball across the six-yard box but no one was there to add the final touch.

Town continued to look the more threatening team, Mings pulling off a clever turn on the edge of the box before hitting a low shot through to Button.

Soon after, Sears battled with Odubajo after a ball had been played through the middle, the Town striker eventually fouling the defender, then the ex-Leyton Orient man did well to get back to dispossess the Blues frontman after he had been played in on the left.

Town boss McCarthy made a double substitution in the 64th minute with Chaplow and Sears replaced by Teddy Bishop and Chris Wood. The decision to replace the lively Sears was met with a chorus of boos from the Blues support.

Gerken saved Pritchard’s 25-yard freekick after Town had made their change but the visitors had threatened rarely since the break with the Blues having had more than enough chances to restore their lead.

Town had another excellent opportunity to score soon afterwards when Murphy was sent through on goal by Mings’s long ball but keeper Button saved with his left hand. Seconds later, Wood was flagged offside when in behind the Bees’ backline when he seemed to have timed his run correctly.

Murphy hit a low shot from the right of the area as the Blues kept up the pressure, then at the other end Gray hit a looping effort straight at Gerken after seizing on a Town error.

The chances continued to come and Wood should have netted his first goal for the Blues in the 76th minute, the New Zealand international nodding Bishop’s right-wing cross wide at the near post.

With nine minutes left on the clock Toumani Diagouraga was booked for pulling back Wood, prior to Town having another chance to go back in front. Bishop found himself space inside the area and hit a shot which Button saved.

Parr was yellow-carded for a foul, then Odubajo joined him in the book for a foul on the Norwegian.

Brentford carved out a rare second-half chance in the final minute of scheduled time when Pritchard was fed inside the area but Smith got a cross superbly to block.

Town continued to push for a winner in five minutes of injury time but the goal which would take them back into the play-off zone wouldn’t come.

The points ought to have been sealed well before that in what had been a thoroughly entertaining game, however, with the Blues having failed to convert at least four good second-half chances, Murphy’s miss just after the break the most glaring.

Town remain seventh, a point behind the sixth-placed Bees and five points off the automatic promotion places with a visit to Middlesbrough, who are now fourth, up next Saturday.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Mings, Berra, Smith, Skuse, Chaplow (Bishop 64), Parr, Tabb, Murphy, Sears (Wood 64). Unused: Bialkowski, Clarke, Anderson, Connolly, Varney.

Brentford: Button, Bidwell, Douglas, Odubajo, Dallas, Judge (Jota 67), Gray (Long 75), Diagouraga, Pritchard, Tarkowski, Moore (Dean 71). Unused: Bonham, McCormack, Toral, Smith. Referee: Scott Duncan (Northumberland). Attendance: 20,132 (Brentford: 1,245).


Photo: Action Images



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tractorboybig added 17:04 - Mar 7
Realism arrives:- same crap as last year.
-15

head1970 added 17:13 - Mar 7
Can someone explain a couple of things to me .
1. How s**t has TABB have to play before he is taken off.
2.Why does WOOD have to been standing in a offside position every time the ball is played to him.
-10

Miles added 17:13 - Mar 7
We were far better than brentford. Disappointing not to win but plenty of positives and a point gained. Created a lot of chances. I thought the whole midfield played well including Tabb. I'm sure some people will moan at him for the under hit pass in the first half but he did everything else perfect there so hard to be too critical. On another day murph tucks a couple of those away. Play like that every game we have left and we will finish top 6 no problem.
23

prebsa added 17:14 - Mar 7
You can all hit the dislike button now because you won't like this. Murphy yes he may of scored but how many chances did he want to have to win the game? Tabb was as usless as ever but don't worry Tabb lovers mick would never drop his favourites. The back 4 was the same unbalanced defence we always have! Because smith is also in mocks favourite never to drop book. And what is the point of even having a midfield when we play golf ball! Mick has always asked the fans to boo him and not the players and oh my did they do that for him today. For some reason mick decided to take off Sears and the boos ringed around the stadium at the terrible decision. I can now see why Leicester don't want wood because he did nothing. Murphy missed the easiest chance of all 22 goals he has this season and that would of won us the game. All in all micks selection has again lost us 2 valuable points in the race back to the premier league. If you hit hit the dislike button be my guest but what you should really be thinking is this isent working because mick is just too stubborn to change
7

essextractorboy93 added 17:18 - Mar 7
No need for a knee jerk reaction straight after full time. We played well but should have put a chance away. Still close at the top though! COYB! Onto Middlesbrough next week
17

Miles added 17:19 - Mar 7
Can't blame murph. Yes he missed a couple decent chances but he's scored 22 goals and been a revelation. I thought Tabb had a good game. Probably the most switched on player we had. Every free kick he tried to play it early and gain an advantage. Defence didn't play bad today. The only issue was we failed to convert our chances. Anyone moaning at the team selection is moaning for the sake of it as we were the better team.
17

ShropshireBluenago09 added 17:19 - Mar 7
Good entertaining game, shame we could finish all those chances - however, we are still Hooffing the ball the majority of the time with little ball retention.
I still maintain that we desperately need McGoldrick back, mainly for his ball holding and link play. Need Bishop and Hyam back in the team, to provide a bit of urgency and passing in the team and Tabb back on the bench please…squad player at best.
We have lost of way a bit, but still points to play for and anyone can beat anyone in this league.
9

yerfdog87 added 17:19 - Mar 7
Missed opportunity again, midfield is crap, midfield can't score, we are useless. Same old rubbish and disappointment. Good luck sat, no chance. Mick is lost plot, we will never go up
-11

patthegimp added 17:20 - Mar 7
Look on the bright side. Do you really want Town to go up with this team It wouldn't only be Man U scoring 10 against us but every other team in the division as well.
-4

rendoblue added 17:21 - Mar 7
How have we not put that game to bed, chances and once again we are relying on Murphy to.much, yes he should have scored but sometimes wonder where mm gets off, we were trying to play to feet and sears was causing problems and then hes taken off and we revert to long hopeful balls again. 2 points dropped again.
12

bloooosman_malta added 17:22 - Mar 7
Usual moaners. Where would we be today had it not been for Mick. Get behind the time and shut up.
2

prebsa added 17:22 - Mar 7
Patthegimp - you make an excellent point but you would hope of we want up we would actually see the money spent on a lot of new players and not in Evans back pocket
2

bluefeast added 17:22 - Mar 7
One team out of the top 8 sides wins today ,says it all. Everyone dropping points. We out of the top 8 are on the worst run from the last 10 games so that wont continue over the next 10. Believe guys believe. We will finish in a play off spot...
19

bloooosman_malta added 17:23 - Mar 7
*team
-2

ITFC_Cotton added 17:25 - Mar 7
Why oh why did MM take off Sears?! He must be watching a different game to the rest of us this in the last couple of games. I fear every time Smith kicks the ball with his right foot! Some soching clearances! 5 points off top so it's 'all to play for' but sadly I can't see us playing the football needed to get there!
8

gorse added 17:28 - Mar 7
@patthegimp apparently you didn't see us play Southampton?
0

runningout added 17:32 - Mar 7
naivety creeping in... don't reckon we deserve promotion at this rate
0

Infinidi added 17:34 - Mar 7
The playoffs are no longer in our own hands for the first time since October-ish.

Bishop's development is being stunted "Tom Eastman-style" by being played in a position that doesn't suit him. Skuse and Bishop as the midfield pair haven't lost a game all season, playing him on the right is a baffler.

Our attacking play is pure bingo, and so are our hopes of the playoffs...

At least we didn't lose.
11

head1970 added 17:39 - Mar 7
Miles* I don't what to moan at you because you like me we deserve a pat on the back for supporting Town some times but to say TABB had a good game to day is well off the mark every free kick he had to day went straight to the keeper ,yes he will run all day but to what end he gives us nothing. The back 4 today were so open against a better side or Brighton we would have 3 or 4 against us CHAMBERS is not a right back when the ball is played to him and he try's to play it long you know its going out for a throw , when he runs down the wing with the ball like today he cant cross the thing. Time to drop SMITH and put CHAMBERS CB.
5

blueboy1981 added 17:39 - Mar 7
We got a point - Michael will be happy, as usual, with that. But what happened to the 'Fortress' ??

Civic Reception - in the morning.

Oh well, another highly enjoyable Saturday evening - NOT - especially as the Carrot Road clan increase the gap - which WE once had in abundance !!!
9

kidsurello added 17:42 - Mar 7
Not a bad result against a very good team let's be fair. Not popping at all, but if were playing this style of football. Play it properly!! Get
Some proper exciting wingers on who'll get past there man and deliver into the box. The team for me has to be

Gerken
Parr chambers Berra Mings
Stewart Skuse bru henshall
Murphy Sears
-1

itfc1981 added 17:42 - Mar 7
lack of ambition at home fair enough - but how are we going to back it up with wins at Boro and Watford.

6

kidsurello added 17:43 - Mar 7
Meant bishop not bru ^^^^^
-1

prebsa added 17:48 - Mar 7
Great words @head1970 atleast someone can see it is time to drop smith and realises that Tabb can't take set pieces nor can be create any end product. He works hard and that it. If any of the supporters played for ipswich im sure they would work hard too
2

rinkydinkpanther added 17:54 - Mar 7
Some people are putting a brave face on it but face it - Town's ship sailed a couple of games back now.

Feels now like we've been sh*t longer than we were ever any 'good' this season.
-1


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