Starkey in action against Brentford
BRENTFORD ****2
Adams (pen) 45,*Mawson 78
ALBION ***********1
Dickenson 41
Craig Mackail-Smith made his welcome return to action as Brentford fought back from a goal down to defeat Albion’s under-21s.
In the Seagulls’ first league game of 2014, Brennan Dickenson’s opener was cancelled out by a penalty from Charlie Adams and Alfie Mawson’s close-range finish as the Bees ran out 2-1 winners.
The main highlight was the return of Mackail-Smith, who played the first 24 minutes and had some good touches on the ball after nearly 11 months out with and Achilles injury.
The game was end-to-end at the start as Alfie Mawson shot over the bar within the opening minute before Jeffrey Monakana fired wide from close range.
The Bees then came close to taking the lead through Mawson, but his header produced a superb finger-tip save from Seagulls keeper Grant Smith.
Albion eventually broke the deadlock four minutes before the break, thanks to Brennan Dickenson. The forward ended a sweeping Seagulls move by slotting home past Melvin Minter after Emil Asmundsson’s pass.
Brentford hit back right on half-time when Glen Rea was penalised for a foul on Charlie Adams inside the area. And Adams then clinically converted the resulting spot-kick to bring the hosts back on level terms.
The hosts nearly scored a second goal in emphatic fashion just minutes after the restart, when Tyrell Miller-Rodney’s overhead kick went narrowly over the bar.
The Bees came close once again to overturning the deficit, as Anderson Banvo’s effort at the far post was cleared off the line after a sweeping move.
But Brentford did complete their comeback with 12 minutes remaining, as Mawson turned home at the far post to take all three points.
Albion: Smith (GK); Deen, Rea, Dallison, Hunt; Monakana (Muitt 57), Asmundsson (Harris 72), Starkey, Trialist; Mackail (Richards 24), Dickenson.*
Subs not used: Walton (GK), Barclay.*
Albion v Doncaster at the Amex on February 8th, 3pm kick off. Tickets available online, at the Amex Ticket Office or via the telephone on 08443271901.
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