Midway through November The Bees were sitting sixth in the table after a run of three straight wins but things were about to get even better.
It was a special night under lights at a packed Griffin Park as Jota’s last minute goal secured three points in the West London derby against Fulham. The Bees dominated the match from the start but were denied by a string of fine saves from visiting goalkeeper Marcus Betinelli. Those missed chances looked to be costly when Hugo Rodallega put Fulham ahead early in the second-half but goals from Harlee Dean and then Jota, in the last minute, secured a fourth straight win to send a capacity crowd wild.
If fans thought things couldn’t get better after the Fulham win then a week later The Bees put in another fantastic attacking performance to secure a fifth straight league win that left them third in the table, just a point off top. This time it was Wolverhampton Wanderers who were put to the sword thanks to Alan Judge’s goal on the half hour and then three late strikes from Stuart Dallas, Andre Gray and Jota. The 4-0 win meant Mark Warburton’s side had picked up 15 points and scored 14 goals from their five matches in November.
Off the pitch it was also a great time for the club as the centre-piece of the club’s 125th Anniversary celebrations was held with players, staff, fans and dignitaries alike descending on The Hurlingham Club in Fulham for the 125th Anniversary Dinner. Amongst the guests were FA Chairman Greg Dyke, Sky Sports presenters Natalie Sawyer and Chris Kamara as well as comedian, TV presenter and former Brentford junior Bradley Walsh. As part of the celebration five Brentford legends, Bob Booker, Keith Millen, Alan Nelmes, Peter Gelson and Danis Salman, were inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame.
Brentford’s Development Squad extended their winless run to nine in all competitions after being held to a 2-2 draw at home to Colchester United. Sammie Szmodics scored twice for the visitors to cancel out Josh Clarke and Montell Moore’s efforts for Lee Carsley’s side. However The Bees did break their duck a week later as Montell Moore scored twice as Lee Carsley picked up his first win as Development Squad manager after a 5-1 success against Bristol City. The Bees were always in control at Jersey Road and completed the emphatic win thanks to Moore’s double and goals from Daniel O’Shaughnessy, Sam Saunders and Jermaine Udumaga. Lee’s side were back in action just four days later as the new manager continued to assess his players with a friendly away at Ashford Town. Montell Moore’s goal proved to be the highlight of the night as the non-league side ran out 4-1 winners.
Brentford’s Youth Team retained top spot in the Under-18 PDL Two South after Seika Jatta’s late goal helped to see off Ipswich Town 2-1 at Jersey Road. Bradley Clayton’s sixth goal in nine matches was cancelled out by Shane McLoughlin with ten minutes to play as it looked like a third game without a win for Jon De Souza’s side. However Jatta kept his composure late on to round the visiting goalkeeper and slot home.
A week later James Ferry scored twice as Jon De Souza’s side secured a huge three points against title challengers Charlton Athletic at Jersey Road. Both The Bees goals came in a first-half that they dominated but they did have to withstand a fightback from The Addicks that saw Joshua Umerah halve the deficit late on.
In player news Charlie Adams extended his stay at Sky Bet League Two side Stevenage for a further month while Josh Clarke returned from his loan spell. Charlie had played six matches for the Hertfordshire side during his initial spell while Josh Clarke had made one substitute appearance for Graham Westley’s side. Alex Pritchard made his first England Under-21 start as they lost 3-2 in a friendly away in France. The Young Lions led 2-0 but were pegged back to 2-2 before half-time. Alex was withdrawn at the break and France secured the win with a goal late on from Kingsley Coman.