After a run of two wins in eight Brentford had slipped down to 13th, five points outside the top six, as October gave way to November but all that was about to change in a magical month at Griffin Park.
First up was the visit of League leaders Derby County to Griffin Park for a first league encounter in more than 20 years. It looked like everything was going to form as a Chris Martin goal separated the two sides after a first-half that showed why the visitors were promotion favourites. However Andre Gray levelled four minutes into the second-half and then, deep into injury time, Stuart Dallas swept home from the edge of the box to send Griffin Park wild.
There was little time to celebrate as another tough test awaited The Bees just four days later as they travelled up to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest. Brentford fans need not have worried though as first-half goals from Jon Toral and Andre Gray put Mark Warburton’s side in control. When Alex Pritchard scored from the spot after the break the points were secure despite a stunning Michail Antonio strike late on.
A week to remember ended with a London derby away at The New Den against Millwall. In the end The Bees shaded a five goal thriller thanks to an Andre Gray brace and then a Danny Shittu own goal midway through the second-half. Millwall had threatened a comeback as they scored twice in three minutes midway to level things before Shittu turned into his own net under pressure from Harlee Dean. A third straight win meant The Bees went into the international break in sixth place just four points off top spot.
A mid-season friendly between Maidenhead United and Brentford’s Development Squad was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch. The referee called a halt to proceedings just after half-time as a wayward shot stopped in a puddle and was tapped home by the Maidenhead striker to make it 2-0. Things didn’t get any better, or drier, for the Development squad the following week as they lost 4-1 on a filthy night in South Wales to Swansea City. The match was played in driving rain and wind for 90 minutes with Nico Yennaris’s fine strike the only real bright spot for Lee Carsley’s side.
Brentford’s Youth Team extended their unbeaten run with a hard-fought point at home to Bristol City. Kyjuon Marsh-Brown’s late volley ensured a point a piece after Matthew Mattis had put the visitors ahead inside four minutes. However they were brought back down to earth midway through the month as Crystal Palace inflicted a first home league defeat of the season after a 3-1 win at Jersey Road. Jacob Berkeley scored twice to help The Eagles to the three points, Makhosini Khanye grabbing a late consolation for The Bees.
The funeral for legendary striker George Francis was held. A minute’s applause had been held before the match with Derby County after The Bees’ second all-time goalscorer had lost his battle with Cancer.
Will Grigg received another international call-up as Northern Ireland looked to continue their perfect start to Euro 2016 Qualifying. The striker would, however, be an unused substitute as Romania ended Northern Ireland’s winning start with a 2-0 success in Bucharest.
Alex Pritchard also received an international call-up as he was selected for a pair of England Under-21 friendlies against Portugal and France in the build-up to Euro 2015. The midfielder picked up his third cap as he came off the bench in the 3-0 win against Portugal at Tuft Moor.
Daniel O’Shaughnessy made it a hat-trick of Brentford internationals as he was called up to the Finland Under-20 squad for a friendly against Hungary. It would not prove to be the happiest of night’s for Daniel as he saw red late on as The Finns lost 1-0.
Tony Craig signed a new two-year deal to keep him at Griffin Park until the summer of 2017. The central defender joined from Millwall in 2012 and had made 117 appearances for The Bees before signing his new deal.
The Youth Team were drawn away at Hull City in the Third Round of the FA Youth Cup.