Goals from Bob Booker and Luther Blissett put Brentford in complete command of this League Cup local derby as the Division One side secured a 2-0 first leg lead at Craven Cottage last night.
The Bees bounced back from the disappointment of defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, benefitting from Phil Holder’s decision to replace Wilf Rostrom with Booker. The veteran midfielder took just five minutes to make his mark by lashing the visitors ahead after latching onto a loose ball fifteen yards out. Micky Bennett almost made it two just before half time but his 25-yarder was well saved by a sprawling Jim Stannard.
The Whites were much more effective in the second half with Mark Kelly’s curling free-kick coming close to levelling matters before Julian Hails was denied by an excellent stop from Graham Benstead. At the other end, Kevin Godfrey broke clear of the attentions of Gavin Nebbeling only to be thwarted by Stannard – but Fulham’s relief was fleeting. Blissett put the Bees in the box seat by heading home from Bennett’s cross after a superb switch of play from Neil Smilie.
FULHAM: Stannard; Morgan, Pike, Nebbeling, G. Thomas, Eckhardt, M. Kelly, Marshall, Hails, Ferney (Baah 75), Farrell. Subs (not used): Onwere.
BRENTFORD: Benstead; Statham, Hughton, Ratcliffe, Bates; Millen, Booker, Bennett, Smillie, Godfrey (M. Gayle 75), Blissett (Jones 75).
BOOKED: Millen.
GOALS: Booker (3), Blissett 65).
REFEREE: Mark James.
ATTENDANCE: 5,067
