Honours even for Brentford… again

A sixth draw in seven games for Brentford rescued a point against visiting Cardiff City but did little for their chances of finishing in the top two in a tense clash at the Brentford Community Stadium.

Despite having little to play for one would think, the visitors fielded a strong line up. The Bees featured 29-goal striker Ivan Toney up front.

An uneventful start was almost brought to life by a neat dummy from Toney on 10 minutes to set up Marcus Forss, whose shot was well handled by Alex Smithies in the Bluebirds goal. Cardiff responded with a typical long-throw from Will Vaulks before Vaulks himself fired harmlessly from distance.

The visitors were mindful of the pace and guile of Toney and Forss but were proving up to the challenge in their own unlikely attempt to still squeeze into the play-offs.

Joe Ralls almost gave the Bluebirds an unexpected lead on 28 minutes but his crisp drive was well handled by David Raya between the home posts. Harry Wilson charged forward moments later but an offside flag halted the Bluebirds’ progress.

The visitors endured a real scare on 33 minutes as Toney nodded down for Forss but the Finn fired over from close range. Toney himself almost added his 30th goal of the campaign after sloppy defending but excellent hands from Smithies kept things goalless to deal with his firm drive.

At the other end, Kieffer Moore almost wriggled one in for Cardiff as the first half ended in entertaining style.

Brentford began the second half strongly, though we saw little in terms of goalmouth action. Perry Ng had done well for the Welsh team with Ciaron Brown also standing strong.

On 57 minutes, a scruffy handball in the box from Ethan Pinnock was punished by Kieffer Moore, the Wales star firing the spot-kick home for his 17th goal of the season.

Mick McCarthy’s joy was short lived however, as Tarique Fosu sent a swerving, speculative shot past Smithies to level the score on 63 minutes. One for Smithies to forget maybe.

Cardiff were grateful for a strong defensive header from Aden Flint on 69 minutes as the visitors introduced Sheyi Ojo and Leandro Bacuna to pep things up. Emiliano Marcondes joined the fray for the hosts.

Smithies atoned for his earlier error with a strong reflex save on 77 minutes and also clutched a shot from the dangerous Tony as Brentford turned the screw. Cue more changes for City as Jordi Osei-Tutu and Josh Murphy entered the action.

With a draw unlikely to suit either side, the game became really end-to-end as Tom Sang left the pitch with injury. Jonny Williams came on for the final knockings as the Bluebirds threw everything forward. Charlie Goode became a late Brentford addition for five added minutes.

Cardiff tried hard to utilise the pace and trickery of Josh Murphy as both sides gave it their all as dusk descended.

Ultimately though, the draw meant that the sun had officially gone down on Cardiff’s play-off hopes while for Brentford, the play-offs probably now represent the most likely route to a promotion push.

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