BY LLOYD BOATENG-BAILEY
Ashley Hay was the show’s star tonight, scoring a hat-trick alongside an Iwan Morgan goal to propel Neil McFarlane’s side to make it three consecutive wins in the Professional Development League.
Brentford went into this local west London derby with back-to-back wins against Ipswich Town and Charlton Athletic. Meanwhile, QPR were aiming to build on their 3 – 2 away win against Colchester United.
Brentford began the match relentlessly, as QPR were given an early warning sign in the opening two minutes as Ashley Hay’s header crashed the crossbar.
The opening six minutes saw Brentford grab an early 2 – 0 lead through Ashley Hay and Iwan Morgan. Ashley Hay pounced on hesitation within the QPR backline to make it 1 – 0. Iwan Morgan sensationally lobbed the keeper outside the box to extend Brentford’s lead.
The frantic start from Neil MacFarlane’s side shocked QPR’s shell as they had an early mountain to climb in the contest.
QPR should have gotten a goal back as Ridwan Hassan was through on goal, but he couldn’t quite get his shot away.
Brentford had a large share of possession, and Isaac Holland delivered a fantastic ball from the right to Morgan, but his header failed to hit the target.
In the 33rd minute, Ashley Hay got his second and Brentford’s third goal of the night as he tapped home a low-driven cross from the right from Isaac Holland to increase the Young Bees lead.
QPR captain Alex Aroaha pulled one back for Paul Furlong’s side on the cusp of half-time as he slotted past Julian Eyestone inside the box to half the deficit for his side.
The half-time whistle blew, and Brentford deservedly went into the break 3 – 1 up. Meanwhile, QPR had a huge mountain to climb to get back in the game.
QPR had an early chance in the 48th minute as Jake Leahy rose highest to head the ball. However, his header came back off the crossbar with Julian Eyestone rooted on his goal line.
In the opening 15 minutes of the second half, saw QPR had plenty of possession in the Brentford half, but they lacked penetration in the final third.
In the 61st minute, Ashley Hay had a glorious chance to secure his hat-trick, but he couldn’t keep his shot down from a pullback in the box.
The last 20 minutes of the contest saw Brentford began to put their foot on the ball, and they got their fourth of the night as Ashley Hay grabbed his hat-trick to complete a resounding win for his side. The Brentford no.9 tucked home to make it 4 -1 after a scramble in the box, which the QPR defence failed to clear.
Brentford were a class above QPR on the night, as they made it three wins on the bounce in the league.
