Brentford reviews
Agogo a gone

Agogo's departure after two league games and five friendlies means both places in attack are more than ever, up for grabs before next weekend's visit of Burnley. Ritchie is desperately searching for a winning formula and, in the course of three games so far, has tried six different combinations. After the display at Brentford he said: "We can't get any worse than that - at least I hope we can't."

The rest of the strikers have their first chance to prove him right when the reserves open their Pontins League campaign at Preston tonight (7.15 kick off). Steve Whitehall makes his comeback after ankle surgery, while Paul Beavers could also feature as Athletic try to increase his fitness as quickly as possible. Mark Allott and Ryan Sugden - substitutes on Saturday - are in the frame, while David McNiven and Craig Dudley can stake their claims for a first senior call-up of the season.

Completing what amounts to a first-team trial will be Matthew Tipton. who was left out of the party which travelled to Brentford. The Welshman has admitted he is low on confidence and will be given the chance to regain his best form with a spell out of the spotlight. Trialist Jordan Tait plays at full-back, while Lee Clitheroe continues his recouperation from a broken leg.

RESERVES (from): Mohan, Campbell, Tait, McLean, Hotte, Swan, Boshell, Salt, Allott, Tipton, Whitehall, Sugden, D. McNiven, Dudley, Beavers, Futcher, Wharton, Clitheroe, Roberts.

The reserves also play Halifax on Wednesday in a private friendly. Meanwhile Athletic's home match against Millwall on Bank Holiday Monday, August 30, could be postponed due to international commitments.The Lions have had call-ups for Robbie Ryan (ROI), Marc Bircham (Canada) and Lucas Neill (Australia). But Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy has lodged a protest with the Football League because Neill's call is to a training squad as part of the Sydney Olympics build up. Mr.Hardy said: "We don't think that constitutes a recognised international"

BRENTFORD 2 OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0

WHEN a prize-fighter takes a pounding, his first instincts are to cover up and gather his senses.

Athletic - three rounds into the season and already reeling from some heavy blows - must adopt thesame approach or face the prospect of another long battle against relegation. Their display at Brentford was the worst of the season so far, one so bereft of punch and power that manager Andy Ritchie confessed: "I can't find the words to describe it." After defeats against Preston and Stockport, Athletic responded not with conviction but with compliance. Defensive lapses cost both goals though In form goalkeeper Gary Kelly is cleared of any blame whatsoever - while the midfield was unable to keep any meaningful possession.

Up front, the new partnership of Junior Agogo and Paul Beavers was the least effective of the permutations tried so far, their inability to hold the ball constantly handing the Initiative to their opponents. Agogo is 6ft, Beavers three inches taller. Both are broad and both are strong. Moreover, they are young and they had every incentive to go out and terrorise the Brentford back four. So why was one a toothless tiger and the other like Popeye without his spinach?

Beavers can justifiably claim that he needs more games to reach full fitness. He is lacking mobility at the moment and should be a different proposition in a few weeks' time. Agogo, meanwhile, looked listless and, at times, rather lost. He couldn't make any impact against Brentford's solid centre-halves and, when his side were in need of a 100-watt performance, he was little more than a flickering bulb. Yet, despite the problems, it would be alarmist and premature.to say Athletic are already condemned to a campaign of struggle. Even a point from the next game, at home to Burnley on Saturday, would set them on their way, and they can ac hieve that by getting back to basics.

Hustle the opposition more than they hustle you. Make sure the defenders are always following the same plan at the same time. Keep it quick and simple rather than looking for the million~dollar pass. And If you want to be the one who breaks the scoring duck, try having a shot at goal. An approach as simple as that would be enough to help Athletic consolidate before moving on to something more ambitious. If they find the solution soon, the talent they undoubtedly have will keep them out of danger.

But if they continue to play like this, they'll land themselves in some serious trouble. With Stuart Thom injured, Athletic switched Andrew Holt to centre-half and recalled Paul Rickers at left-back. The other changes saw Agogo and Beavers replace Mark Allott and Matthew Tipton. Brentford, last season's third division champions, were unchanged for the third game running and gave everyone a rare treat by wearing numbers one to 11. They look a capable, disciplined side and will be difficult to break down while Darren Powell and the excellent Herman Hreidarsson stay together in the centre of defence. Athletic almost made the worst possible start when Lloyd Owusu - Brentford's top scorer last year with 25 goals - lobbed just over the bar after all of 59 seconds.

The attacking forays of Danny Boxall, the full-back who looked such a fine prospect while on loan at Boundary Park from Crystal Palace, were also quick to emerge and his rampaging run set up a powerful shot for Paul Evans. Owusu then had the chance which should have opened the scoring, but he hurriedly shot over from 10 yards when there was time and space to do much better. The dam was well and truly creaking against a rising tide of swift Brentford attacks, and when Andy Scott headed a great chance wide from a corner it was their eighth goal attempt of the opening 27 minutes. Athletic, by that stage, had mustered only one - a tame one at that - and they had developed a chronic lack of cohesion up front.

The departure of the injured Owusu suggested things might be looking up for the visitors, but his replacement, Derek Bryan, quickly forced Kelly to claw away a header at full stretch. Though Athletic showed more organisation immediately after the break, Brentford continued to create the better openings. Kelly made another top class save from Scott Partridge and, in the 63rd minute, the pressure finally became too much. Boxall was the provider, driving in a right-wing cross which was perfect for Bryan. The substitute was unmarked only eight yards from goal and he planted his header low to Kelly's left.

Ritchie replaced the tiring Beavers with Allott and was soon trying out a three-man attack with Allott just behind Agogo and Ryan Sugden. But it was Brentford who had the final say when Gavin Mahon was allowed too much time to pick out Hreidarsson in the area and the Icelander's trusty head diverted the ball into the bottom corner. That was emphatically game over and, though the lively Sugden was denied in injury time, it spoke volumes that his effort was the first to call the Brentford goalkeeper into any serious action.

Ritchie's COMMENT

ANDY RITCHIE wore his heart on his sleeve as he tried to sum up his disappointment at Griffin Park. "That was terrible," he groaned "We were totally inept, especially in the second half, and we just don't look like scoring." The Athletic manager thought his side's problems stemmed from the displays of the strikers. He said: "The lads up front never held anything up for us or gave us a chance to defend anything. They have to work harder. Paul Beavers isn't fully match fit, but he has to use his height and weight. Against Preston and Stockport I thought we should have had the game won by half-time today we didn't perform at all.

"When Steve Whitehall is fit he will add another dimension. Before then, David McNiven might come into the frame or I might just chuck Ryan Sugden in for a full match. We were looking quite comfortable at the back, but then we conceded two goals because we didn't close them down on crosses. If you don't stop the cross you get punished, and the second came because we ambled to the ball instead of sprinting.

"Gary Kelly also had to make two great saves and it's difficult when your goalkeeper is man of the match. But we didn't lose it at the back -we lost it up front. It's especially disappointing for the fans because they have had nothing to cheer about. It says it all when your own supporters start chanting 'We've had a shot'. "That should tell the forwards every thing I'll be making sure we work very hard in training this week."

The mood of Ron Noades, Brentford's chairman and manager couldn't have been more different to Ritchie's. "We gave a quality performance," he said "We couldn't beat Oldham in two FA Cup ties last year, so that game was indicative of how far we've come. We were never in any danger. We had to be patient before we scored, but it would have been an injustice if we hadn't beaten them"

Bryan 63 Hreidarsson 87

Brentford:
Woodman, Boxall, Anderson, Quinn (Rowlands,63), Powell, Hreidarsson, Evans, Mahon, Owusu (Bryan,35), Partridge, Scott. Subs: Pearcey, Folan, Warner.
Oldham:
Kelly, McNiven, S, Holt, Garnett, Duxbury, Rickers, Sheridan, Innes (Sugden,73), Adams, Agogo, Beavers (Allott,64). Subs: Miskelly, Salt, McLean.

Brentford kept an unchanged side for the third consecutive match for the visit of Oldham Athletic at Griffin Park.

The policy nearly paid dividends as they almost took the lead in the first minute when Robert Quinn won an aerial battle and the ball fell kindly to Lloyd Owusu but his lob from the edge of the box drifted just over the bar.

Five minutes later, Andy Scott's right foot effort from 15 yards was hit straight at 'keeper Gary Kelly.

Brentford continued to dominate and efforts by Vauxhall and Owusu went just off target. The Bees should have taken the lead after 28 minutes when a Gavin Mahon corner from the left was flicked on by Owusu to the far post where Scott headed wide of the target from six yards. The only booking of the game came after 33 minutes when Andy Scott was booked for unsporting behaviour.

Very little was seen of The Latics attack and their first threat at goal came two minutes later when Paul Beavers placed an effort wide of the target. On the stroke of half-time, The Bees almost took the lead when another Gavin Mahon corner from the left was met by substitute Derek Bryan and his downward header was brilliantly saved at the near post by the sprawling Kelly.

After the break, the home side continued to dominate and an effort by Powell went just wide. On the hour mark Derek Bryan put Scott Partridge clear and his 20-yard right foot strike was again brilliantly saved by Kelly.

Just after the hour The Bees broke the deadlock, a pin-point cross from the right by Daniel Boxall found Derek Bryan in the box and his close range header was buried beyond 'keeper Gary Kelly into the net.

having broken the deadlock, Ron Noades' side went searching for more goals. Shortly after Martin Rowland's 25-yard strike was turned over the bar by Kelly and from the resultant corner, Hermann Hreidarsson had a header cleared by Shaun Garnett.

Three minutes from time Brentford secured all three points when a Gavin Mahon cross from the left found Hreidarsson six yards from goal and his low header was guided into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

The only save of note by Bees 'keeper Andy Woodman came in the dying seconds when he made a fine stop at the near post from substitute Ryan Sugden. On this performance Bees manager Ron Noades can be well pleased and Latics manager Andy Ritchie will have a problem keeping his side away from the relegation zone.