Brentford and Fulham will do battle on Tuesday night at Griffin Park with everything to play for after their League Cup first round tie saw the local rivals share four goals on an action-packed evening at Craven Cottage.
The Bees went in front with the fastest Cup goal in their history, which was clocked at just seventeen seconds. Summer signing Richard Cadette cut in from the left flank and saw his powerful shot parried out by Fulham goalkeeper Jim Stannard with winger Andy Sinton on hand to sidefoot home the rebound from close range.
Justin Skinner levelled for Fulham from the penalty spot on 27 minutes after Michael Cole had been brought down by Andy Feeley close to the byline following a lovely move down the home side’s left flank. Midfielder Skinner confidently sent Tony Parks the wrong way from twelve yards and Fulham’s summer signing from Wimbledon, Andy Sayer, bagged his second goal in as many matches to put Ray Lewington’s men in front with a deft chip twenty minutes from time.
Former Arsenal full-back Roger Stanislaus brought Brentford level eight minutes from time with an incredible individual goal. There looked to be little danger to the Fulham goal when he embarked on a superb solo run from inside his own half but the home defence stood off Stanislaus and he stunned the Cottage faithful by lashing a lovely left-footed 30-yarder past Stannard.
The dramatic draw sets up Tuesday’s second leg perfectly.
FULHAM: Stannard; Langley, Eckhardt, Wilson, Elkins, G. Thomas, Elkins, Wilson, Barnett, Cole, Walker (Hoddy 45). Subs (not used): Kerrins.
GOALS: Skinner (pen 27), Sayer (70).
BRENFORD: Parks; Feeley, Stanislaus, Millen, Evans; Cockram, Smillie, Jones, Sinton; Blissett, Cadette.
GOALS: Sinton (1), Stanislaus (82).
ATTENDANCE: 5,489.
