Much changed Brentford do enough to see off depleted Middlesbrough and advance through in the FA Cup

Photo: Brentford FC

Brentford made it through to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup after beating fellow Championship side Middlesbrough 2-1 this evening.

Goals from Saman Ghoddos and Halil Dervisoglu sandwiched by a Sam Folarin strike were enough to send a much-changed Bees side into the last 32 draw on Monday.

Middlesbrough had plenty of chances to find an equaliser but missed plenty of chances in both halves and ultimately head back up North disapointed and out of the cup.

The first opening of the evening came for the home side and Tariqe Fosu who was found in space on the edge of the box following some good work on the right flank from Mads Bech Sorensen. The forward was unable to test Jordan Archer in between Boro’ sticks.

The away side’s best early chance came for Hayden Hackney but his effort was well off target after finding some space just inside the box.

Former Arsenal man Chuba Akpom had the best chance in the opening 20 minutes, the forward found some space just outside of the box with his effort tipped over the top by Luke Daniels.

Moments later, the visitors created another opportunity, this time Marcus Browne drove towards goal from his own half before sending an effort on target. Daniels was more than equal to it, sending it behind for a corner.

Brentford grew into the half and should have taken the lead just over halfway through the first period. Fosu won the ball back on the halfway line before driving towards the box, cutting in and unleashing Dervisoglu in on goal but the youngster couldn’t test the keeper as his strike went into the side netting.

Middlesbrough’s first-half dominance continued to show, Marcus Tavernier found the ball at his feet just inside the area before sending an effort goalwards with Daniels once again making a vital save to keep the score at 0-0.

However, just moments later the home side took the lead through Dervisoglu from a close range following a flick on from Ghoddos’ corner ten minutes before the break.

Despite falling behind, Boro continued to have a go and nearly broke through. Akpom was found by Tavernier with Daniels forced to make a save.

It wasn’t long before Daniels was called into action again, this time from Lewis Wing’s free-kick which he palmed away from danger as the Bees went into the break in front.

The half was marred by a serious looking injury to Browne, who was involved in a collision with Mads Roerslev and was taken down the tunnel on a stretcher just before the break.

It didn’t take long for Boro to score after the break, Folarin who replaced the unfortunate Browne scored it tapping in from close range after a great move from the visitors.

Brentford retook the lead in the 65th minute through Ghoddos who was well picked out by Alex Gilbert before the former sent a low effort beyond Archer low into the bottom corner to restore the advantage for the Bees.

The Yorkshire club kept fighting despite being behind and came close after going behind. Tyler Roberts worked some space in the box before unleashing a shot towards the bottom corner, but Daniels was able to get down to make a save.

Boro threw everything they had at the Bees but it was the London club who progress through to the Fourth Round.

Attention now turns back to the league for the Bees, who host Bristol City on Wednesday, while Boro host Birmingham City at the Riverside next Saturday lunchtime in their next game.

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