Sam Collard is a Football Business & Media student at UCFB Wembley. Alongside his studies he also works with Slough Town and Edgware Town in media and marketing roles.
A rather chilly Griffin Park played host to a convincing win for Brentford, as they overcame National League side Barnet in this Emirates FA Cup fourth round replay.
In a clash between two sides known as the Bees, it was Brentford who were left buzzing for the next round where they face a trip to Swansea City.
Barnet could not match the stellar performances of their previous FA Cup ties against Sheffield United in the last round and Brentford in their first tie last week, as the Championship outfit denied them a chance to reach the last-16.
In a game dominated by set plays, it would not take long for one to be successful. A wonderfully worked corner, with the ball sent in by Said Benrahma, found Sergi Canos with space in the box which allowed him to put the hosts ahead.
And Brentford doubled their lead in fine fashion, as a free-kick from the right was whipped in by Benrahma for his second assist of the evening, and smashed home on the volley by Julian Jeanvier as he peeled away from his marker.
Brentford’s set pieces were proving a real threat, and they almost added a third from a similar situation as Josh McEachran’s delivery from wide was met by Canos, whose header was agonisingly wide.
Barnet’s first real opportunity came from a free-kick on the edge of the box as substitute Dan Sparks’ curling effort had Brentford goalkeeper Luke Daniels beaten, but his effort flew just wide of the post.
The home team’s domination continued with a succession of chances which could not be finished as Neal Maupay and Romaine Sawyers both went close.
But the 70th minute saw Maupay take his chance to wrap up victory. After a long spell of possession, Brentford excellently worked Henrik Dalsgaard into space and he fizzed his cross straight into the path of Maupay, who finished into the bottom left corner.
Barnet’s noisy travelling fans did have something to cheer, as they grabbed a consolation through David Tutonda, who rifled his effort past Daniels.
And a mazy solo run from Chedozie Ogbene almost led to the goal of the game, but after bursting through from midfield a strong stop from Cousins denied Brentford a fourth.
