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Brentford

Bostock Scores but Lions Roar

NEW loan signing John Bostock scored a debut double to secure the Bees a draw against South London rivals Millwall in a difficult match at Griffin Park.

The game had been thrown into doubt before kick off with severe gales and heavy rained expected by 3.00 pm. The torrential downpours never arrived though and the game began despite the strong crosswinds inside the ground.

Bostock, 17, joined Brentford on a one month loan from Tottenham Hotspur on Friday and took just 9 mins to open his account with the Bees. The highly rated midfielder wriggled his way into the box before slotting home a cool finish into the right hand corner of the net.

Bostock's First Goal
Bostock celebrates his first goal

The adulation was soon silenced though as Millwall struck back just seven minutes later. Defender Paul Robinson exposed some poor marking from a Chris Hackett corner to power home a header past keeper Lewis Price.

The Bees shaped up and once again took the advantage with Bostock netting his second of the game on 24 minutes from his own corner. Bostock stepped up and swung the ball in but a combination of heavy wind assitance and wicked curl meant the ball snuck in at the near post, much to the frustration of Lions keeper David Forde.

After the break, the torrid weather ensured that the play was at best scrappy with both teams carving out few clear cut chances. Charlie MacDonald had the first opportunity of the second half with a shot from inside the box that rattled off the post on 50 minutes.

Millwall began to up the pressure as they searched for an equaliser. Brentford’s midfield held strong as a unit and prevented Millwall creating much of a goal threat as the blustery conditions worsened.

The door was eventually blown down however on 88 minutes. Millwall substitute James Henry sent in a powerful free kick that sailed into the bottom left hand corner from 30 yards out. Though the wind played its part in the goal, questions will be raised as to the footwork and anticipation of Lewis Price who could have probably made a save if he had reacted earlier.

Brentford battled on and in the final minute thought they had snatched a deserved winner. James Wilson floated in a freekick to the edge of the box from the halfway line, with Karleigh Osborne then juggling the ball before turning and hitting a looping half volley which smashed into the crossbar. The ball bounced back to Charlie MacDonald but his shot was blocked by Millwall defender Paul Robinson.

Osborne lines up a lovely volley late on
Osborne lines up a lovely volley late on

A good point earned at Griffin Park, however the Bees fans will have gone home feeling that it really should of been all three. In terrible conditions, Brentford’s defensive mistakes which have dogged them all season, were again highlighted as an ambitious Millwall side made the most of the few clear cut chances they had.

John Bostock was the main talking point of the match though. The youngster had a fantastic game and Brentford fans will be eagerly anticipating his second appearance. The England under-19 star is surely one of the brightest prospects in the game and Bees fans will be hoping that Andy Scott can extended the loan period for the midfielder from Tottenham.

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