Brentford secured a 6-2 victory at the Gtech Community Stadium during the second annual Robert Rowan Invitational. The match honored Brentford’s former technical director, Robert Rowan, who tragically passed away at 28 due to an undetected heart condition in 2018.
Robert’s significant contribution to establishing Brentford B was highlighted before the game, with Brentford B manager Neil Macfarlane emphasizing his lasting impact on the team. Macfarlane stated, “Robert’s influence on the B Team remains profound. Upholding the values he instilled in the project and honoring his legacy with our actions remains important to us all.”
All proceeds from the event were donated to Heart of West London, a coalition of charities and organizations dedicated to raising awareness of cardiac health and conducting vital research. Thus, the match was not only a success on the field but also contributed positively off the pitch.
Brentford initially took the lead with a goal from Daniel Oyegoke, but two goals from Daniel Adu-Adjei turned the tables before halftime. Mukhammadali Urinboev equalized in the second half, and the Bees seized the momentum, with Ryan Trevitt scoring a third goal shortly after.
Late in the game, the Bees secured their victory with additional goals, including another from Trevitt, one from Max Dickov, and a superb curling effort from Ethan Laidlaw in stoppage time, solidifying their commanding lead.
The home team started strongly, creating several half-chances with quality crosses from Romeo Beckham and Tony Yogane.
The breakthrough occurred 26 minutes into the game, courtesy of defender Daniel Oyogoke, who displayed a striker’s finesse by turning and finishing with his weaker left foot after a cross was nodded down.
However, Bournemouth quickly responded with a goal from their own Daniel, Adu-Adjei, finding the bottom corner of Hákon Valdimarrson’s goal with a neat finish.
The visitors then seized the lead just before halftime, as Adu-Adjei capitalized on Kian Tydeman’s through-ball, slotting home at the near post for his second goal of the match.
Following a lackluster start to the second half, the introduction of Bournemouth’s unnamed player, referred to as ‘The Trialist,’ injected excitement into the crowd in the 63rd minute.
Their enthusiasm was further fueled minutes later when Bournemouth failed to clear Ethan Brierley’s cross, allowing Urinboev to calmly stroke the ball into the bottom corner to level the scores.
The Bees then surged ahead nine minutes later through Trevitt, who found himself in the right-hand side of the box and rifled a shot across goal to take the lead.
Brentford secured their victory with an 88th-minute penalty, expertly converted by Trevitt after Oyogoke was fouled in the box.
Their fifth goal came in the 90th minute when Dickov capitalized on a misplaced back pass from Bournemouth’s Archie Harris.
In stoppage time, Bournemouth’s defense struggled to contain Brentford, and Laidlaw sealed the win with a spectacular strike from outside the box, finding the top right corner of Billy Terrell’s goal.
