Adam Forshaw’s first senior goal was enough to give Brentford all three points as they recorded a narrow 1-0 victory over Oldham Athletic at Griffin Park on Saturday.

The Bees – playing in a silver strip to mark the 25th anniversary of the Brentford FC Community Sports Trust – started slowly, before Farid El Alagui saw his low shot from outside the box held by Dean Bouzanis.

Minutes later Forshaw put his side ahead after Harry Forrester broke down the left and played the ball into the box, where Alagui knocked it into the path of the midfielder, who found the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Clayton Donaldson had a good chance to extend his side’s lead shortly after when he burst clear from inside his own half, but his tame shot from the left side of Oldham’s box was saved by Bouzanis.

Former Bee Robbie Simpson shot wide of the left hand post from the edge of the box for Oldham, while Christian Montano brought a fine save out of Simon Moore, who got down low to his left to push the ball behind for a corner just before the break.

Both sides traded half chances early in the second half, with Matt Derbyshire shooting over the bar after Brentford failed to clear a corner and Donaldson breaking down the left and into the box, only to see his shot deflected by Jonathan Grounds.
Brentford were awarded a free kick after Bouzanis picked up a pass back, but Forrester’s shot was saved.

Oldham turned to a more direct style of football as they went in search of an equaliser, but Brentford did just enough to hold on, with Moore making a superb save when he got down low to his right to push a header away and ensure his side took all three points.

Brentford: Moore, Logan (sub Legge 76), Craig, Dean, Bidwell; Forshaw (sub Diagouraga 57), Adeyemi, Douglas, Forrester; El Alagui, Donaldson (sub Fredericks 70)

Subs (not used): Gounet, Saunders, O'Connor, Hayes

Attendance: 5251

Man of the Match: Simon Moore

Goals:  Forshaw 17