Match report from the West Midlands, as Brentford took on Championship promotion hopefuls Birmingham City in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
Brentford turned to cup matters, as they took on Championship side Birmingham City in round two of the Carabao Cup.
For the task at hand, manager Keith Andrews made eight changes for the game, opting with a fresh look before the weekend visit to Leeds; Valdimarsson; Hickey, Schuster, Collins, Henry; Yarmoliuk, Janelt; Ouattara, Damsgaard, Anthony; Wilson. From the win over Spurs, only Collins, Janelt and Ouattara remained in the side.
After five and a half minutes, Brentford took the lead. A collective high press from the Bees saw Yarmoliuk win the ball back, before immediately playing the ball to Wilson, who turned and fired a deflected shot into the bottom corner, marking his full debut for the club with a goal, great to see.
Just before the quarter hour mark, it could and perhaps should have been 2-0, but Collins’ header from a corner went narrowly wide, even closely missing Yarmoliuk in the process. Straight down the other end, Demarai Gray had the hosts first shot of the game, drilling an effort narrowly wide from just outside the D.
26 minutes in, Schuster got caught in possession, leading to a chance for Birmingham, which made the defender feel like he had no choice but to take a booking on the edge of the box. From the free-kick, the ball was laid off to Gray, and he fired in from just over 20 yards out. Truth be told, not one that Valdimarsson will want to see again, albeit an awkward one for him to deal with. 1-1 just before the half hour mark.
With around 10 minutes of the first half remaining, Andrews’ side retook the lead. A Janelt cross was header away but only as far as Hickey who fired a shot across goal and into the far corner. A brilliant finish, one that a forward would be proud of as the cliche goes.
Just five minutes later, it was 3-1 to Brentford. The ball was worked out to Anthony on the right hand side, and his inviting cross was headed home by the skipper Collins. A really nicely crafted goal to make the lead that little bit more comfortable, and give the team a two goal lead heading into the half time interval.
Nathan Collins heads home the third // Action Images via Reuters At the break, Andrews looked to his bench, introducing Kevin Schade in place of Ouattara. Just three minutes later, Sangare came on to replace Yarmoliuk, who looked like he had a little niggle. Hopefully just precautionary and that’s nothing too serious in the end. Let’s see.
Just after the hour mark, Igor Thiago came on to replace Wilson, who will be pleased with his night’s work on his first start for the club. A little under ten minutes later, the Brazilian striker dummied the ball for Damsgaard to sweep home following a quick counter attack. Another nice goal, and a second assist for Anthony.
Immediately following that goal, Keane Lewis-Potter and Michael Kayode were introduced to the action, replacing Henry and Janelt. Good shifts from both players, and it is great to see Henry get 70 minutes or so under his belt. Very handy.
Then, just a minute later, Thiago got himself on the scoresheet, getting on the end from another Anthony delivery. A third assist for the winger. With a little under a quarter of an hour remaining, Brentford had six and Collins had two. A lovely clipped cross from Sangare found the captain six yards out, who nodded in once more. Another lovely goal.
That would be that, an incredible 6-1 victory away from home. Just brilliant. Onto the third round now.
