Brentford v. Fulham

Third Round Proper

Bedfont Recreation Ground, Feltham

Sunday 8th December 2024

At last! Six rounds in and the journey moves outside Hampshire. It could well have stayed in my home county but the prospect of a West London Derby between step 6 Bees and step 5 Fulham was too much to resist. Add in an artificial pitch meaning the game always going to be on. 

Two weeks on from the last round of the cup and the last big named storm,  so for round three we have Storm Darragh to contend with on our Sunday sojourn.

Slightly different train route this time due to those pesky bus replacements on my SWR line, I've done a fun little hop Blackwater - Wokingham - Feltham. Fortunately no trees had fallen on this branch line.

The Step 2 Barclays Women's Championship sides come in at this stage so I thought it best to continue with my grassroots journey before we start going big time.

Both clubs have "bigger brothers" at Premier League level so with investment in time and resource both will be looking to establish themselves higher in the pyramid in years to come. 

The storm itself has been pretty bad in the the vicinity of Heathrow Airport, with quite a few planes wobbling in the breeze on Big Jet TV over the past 48 hours.

Brentford had a prolific opening in the Cup winning 18-1 away at North Leigh in 1Q and 12-1 home to Tilehurst in 2Q. Further wins over Sport London Benfica, Ascot Utd and London Seaward get them to R3 for the first time.

Fulham joined the competition in 2Q, winning 13-0 at Epsom & Ewell before a penalty shootout win against Maidenhead Utd in 3Q. This was followed by a 7-0 win at home to Chesham United in the first round proper and a dramatic late winner 4-3 against Royston Town in R2.

Confident bit of bus work got me to the ground nice and early. Excellent that Brentford did not charge admission considering they were expecting a gate of around 1200, even a free match programme - bargain!

Match itself - blowy conditions not surprisingly with Darragh still in force. Not much between the teams and the first 45 minutes, no real clear chances but maybe Fulham edged it. HT 0-0.

Early second half the visitors struck on 48 minutes with Ellie Olds header from a Madi Parsonson cross.

Bees fought back and in ever worsening conditions managed to get themselves an equaliser on 72 minutes, Chloe Logie running onto a Nikki Woods' long ball and finishing well.

Both sides really now determined to win this one in normal time and Fulham went ahead on 74 minutes with Parsonson this time goal scorer with a crisp shot.

A few close calls but ended up with the game just about going to form.

FT. Brentford 1 Fulham 2.