Tom Moore reports on our first league defeat of the season.

Brentford lost their first game in the League 2-0 at Charlton in front of the Sky cameras. Goals from Deon Burton and an excellent goal from Lloyd Sam saw off the Bees.

Charlton started the stronger of the two sides and took the lead on ten minutes. A long cross-field ball from Miguel Llera led to Lloyd Sam intercepting a weak header back from Sam Wood. Lloyd Sam then crossed it to former Bee Deon Burton whose shot deflected off James Wilson into the net and gave Charlton the lead on 11 minutes.

Brentford had a spell where they put Charlton under pressure for fifteen minutes but couldn’t force any clear cut opportunities but were unfortunate not to win a penalty when Nicky Bailey hand-balled under pressure from Danny Foster.

Charlton however doubled their lead after a fantastic passing move consisting of fifteen passes as Brentford stood off the Charlton players without putting a tackle of note in. Deon Burton found Lloyd Sam who beat three defenders, Wood, Wilson and O’Connor, and fired it past Price.

Brentford then had two quick bookings as Kevin O’Connor went into the book for a hard tackle on Deon Burton. Cleveland Taylor went into the referees book shortly after for a very strong challenge on Nicky Bailey.

Brentford went in at half-time two nil down and some fresh impetus seemed to be needed. In teh second half Brentford looked a better side as they attempted to claw back the advantage given to Charlton.

Charlton set out to kill the game off and make it 3-0 but Brentford held firm and started to put themselves about. Andy Scott made two changes bringing on Karleigh Osborne for Danny Foster as well as bringing Charlie MacDonald on for his first appearance since his shoulder was dislocated against Gillingham.

A great corner move between Myles Weston and Sam Saunders led to Carl Cort sending a powerful header but Robert Elliot got a strong hand to it and forced it wide. David Hunt then saw his free-kick cannon back off the cross-bar.

Charlton saw the game out and inflicted Brentford’s first defeat of the season. Charlton were an excellent side and one that will do well this season. Brentford can take heart from this performance although there are a number of things that Andy Scott will want to work on.