Shots fielded a strong team with just two juniors in the starting line up. They started with a fluid 4-4-2 formation with a defence of Breimyr, Morris, Fortune, Pegg in front of Ketteridge, the midfield four were McGlashan, Halls, Connolly and Hylton with the two wide men pushing forward to support the front two of Small and Spencer.
The match played at Brentford's training ground in Osterley started brightly for the Shots with Hylton forcing the Brentford keeper into a smart save after just 2 minutes. After 20 minutes Danny had another chance to score when he had a one-on-one with the keeper after winning the ball from a dithering Bees midfield, but his shot hit the keeper's legs and went for a corner. However on 41minutes it was third time lucky for Hylton when his low long range shot from outside of the box went through the keeper's hands into the net. Shots held on for a deserved half-time lead. The home had threatned once or twice through the experianced Nicky Forster but his oppotunities were restricted by Morris's good defensive work.
No changes were made by either side at half time and with the second half only 5 minutes old a quick break out of defence down the right wing ended with a goal when Spencer played a well placed pass in front of Small who ran on and shot calmly over the on coming keeper to double the Shots lead. A few minutes later a Small pass found Spencer on the left of the area and his first time shot was saved by the finger tips of the Brentford keeper onto the post and out for a corner. Slightly against the run of play in the 67th minute the home side reduced the arrears when Saunders cut in from the right wing and shot across Ketteridge into the far corner. Shots still had more of the play but with Bean taking more control of the midfield for the Bees the home side created a couple of half chances that were easily dealt with by the Shots defence. In the last minute Hylton had a chance to seal the result when Small crossed into the box for Danny but his side foot volley just cleared the bar.
A good performance from all the players and overall a well deserved win over a Brentford side that contained some players with a lot of first team experience.
Team: Ketteridge, Breimyr, Pegg, Connolly, Morris, Fortune, McGlashan, Halls, Small, Spence, Hylton. Subs: Hyde (for McGlashan 72 mins), Landais (not used), Pilgrim (not used), Coultress (Not used), Hutchings (GK - not used).
Report by Gordon Macey