February 2011

The Bees’ road to Wembley has never run smooth, but the men from Griffin Park won’t care one jot having disposed of their southern rivals 3-2 on aggregate.

Supporters could for once leave their nails alone in a trophy fixture, having destroyed Paul Tisdale’s side in six blistering first half minutes.

Sam Saunders and Gary Alexander scored goals created by Myles Weston and although Daniel Nardiello pulled one back, Exeter City were beaten.

It is the first time that Brentford have progressed through the competition without the need for penalties since the very first round, making goalkeeper Richard Lee’s performances all the more memorable.

It was Lee who repelled a wave of Exeter City attacks back in the first leg at Griffin Park, making notable saves from Daniel Nardiello.

Maybe the Grecians will rue the big keeper’s form that evening, because many Brentford fans felt that Exeter had missed their big chance.

And so it proved, as caretaker boss Nicky Forster masterminded a memorable night in his side’s recent history.

Their appearance for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final on Sunday April 3 will be their third in all, having made the trip to Wembley in 1985 and the Millennium Stadium in 2001.

Forster praised his players, not least for their attitude in the past week following former boss Andy Scott’s departure.

“The boys are elated. It has been an emotional couple of days and tonight they were fantastic.

“First half I thought we were superb. To go 2-0 up in the manner we did was fantastic and we scored two very good goals.

“It’s a fantastic achievement and the players deserve the credit, they really do.”

Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale gave credit to Brentford, but not before he tore into his side for missing a golden opportunity to play in a Wembley final.

“I’m embarrassed at my team’s performance,” he said.

“We didn’t pass together, we didn’t move together or compete together and played a team doing exactly that.

“I’m happy to lose, but not the way we lost today. It just wasn’t right and I’m not happy with the performance one little bit.”

Brentford can now sit back and watch events unfold at the Galpharm Stadium tonight, where Huddersfield Town will attempt ‘Mission Impossible’ when trying to overhaul a 4-0 deficit against Carlisle United.