Brentford's class of 2016/17 had a tough beginning to their league campaign on Wednesday after a 7-1 defeat to Southend United.
It was an even game for the opening nine minutes but a defensive lapse allowed The Shrimpers to open the scoring. The Bees enjoyed large amounts of possession but only threatened occasionally from David Ferreira. Faraz Hassan, in goal, made some good saves but the post also helped twice. With the game entering the last three minutes of the opening period, Southend struck twice to give Brentford an uphill task in the second half.
That task became even harder when the Shrimpers increased their lead to four. Brentford were threatening, but a well organised Southend defence were making it difficult for the Bees to get back in the game. Southend's fifth goal came from another defensive lapse. Brentford's consolation goal came from the skipper, Ferreira, a stinging shot from 12 metres thundered past the Southend keeper to make it 5-1. The Bees then enjoyed a period of sustained pressure and another goal with five minutes to go would have made it interesting.
However, a Bees attack fizzled out and the Southend scholars scored on the counter-attack with their sixth. A seventh followed just before the buzzer to compound Brentford's day. It was a sombre Bees mini-bus back but the lessons learned from the game have to be absorbed quickly.
Next up are Southampton (B) on Wednesday 2nd November.
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