Brentford Community Stadium: Denmark 0-1 Spain

Denmark 0-1 Spain - Women’s Euro 2022

A day of firsts for me (Adrian) as I re-completed my 92. First time at the Brentford Community Stadium, first time watching a Women’s football match. My eldest son (Ross) accompanied me, he is a fraction behind me in his 92 having originally completed the feat. His family commitments have meant things on hold, but he will eventually get to Sutton, Barrow, Harrogate etc. We set off from the East Midlands mid-morning, travelling down the M1 for an evening kick off in the Women’s European Championships, Denmark v Spain. As the game was an 8pm kick off we decided to take photos for the website of several clubs in the non-league pyramid. We did go slightly out the way to visit Berkhamsted, but then all our other visits were West London based. Hanwell Town, Hayes and Yeading United, Bedfont, Bedfont Sports, Ashford Town (Middlesex), Hanworth Villa and Chertesy Town. We parked up in Staines and caught the train up to Kew Bridge Station, it’s about 20 minutes and lands you right outside the Brentford Community Stadium. With the UK undergoing a heatwave that many have never experienced before we had managed the situation well. An air conditioned car, the train operated by South West Railways was also air conditioned and as we had a bit of time to spare we sat under the trees near Kew Bridge enjoying the sites of the River Thames. Brentford’s new ground is about a mile from their old home at Griffin Park. It has certainly caused issues for the 92 club members and ground hoppers though. The stadium’s capacity of just over 17,000 and is probably about right for the club however their recent elevation into the promised land of the Premier League has meant the ground is not really big enough for the new found interest and unless you are a season ticket holder, a lucky member or an away fan who has a very high priority with their respective club, entry to this ground will be almost impossible. Visiting Premier League clubs get under 2,000 tickets. Consequently this trip had been well planned in advance, the chances of me getting on the ground at present to see Brentford are just about non-existent, so here was a competitive game, plenty at stake and a decent crowd. The area where the ground is situated has been completely redeveloped over the last few years. The only access road is Lionel Road, which can be reached either off the M4, near the Bees Superstore or the other side the very busy Chiswick High Road. The stadium is surrounded on three sides by railway lines which means space is very tight every available piece of land has been utilised. In close proximity to the stadium are apartment tower blocks, offering views of either a stand or a railway line. It’s impossible to know there is a Premier League football ground behind them as you view from Kew Bridge itself. The south stand where we sat offers excellent views, it’s a two tier stand which stands over the other three stands quite markedly. It also has executive suites and a camera gantry as well. Opposite this is the single tier north stand and behind the goals west and east stands which are two tiered affairs but slope into a single tier as they meet the much larger main stand. Away fans are housed in the east stand corner. The roofs are sloped at an angle similar to the Bridgford End at Nottingham Forest or the stand at Welford Road the home of rugby’s Leicester Tigers. Talking of rugby I believe London Irish also share the Brentford Community Stadium as well. The Brentford Community Stadium may lack numbers in its low capacity but its construction certainly means a good atmosphere is generated. And so to the game itself and our first venture into watching Women’s football. Spain edged a closely fought contest 1-0 with a 90th minute header from Marta Cardona. They were unconvincing at times and the Danes were certainly dangerous on the counter attack. I was impressed with the technical ability of the ladies and the pace of the game, it ebbed and flowed assisted by some excellent refereeing by English referee, Rebecca Welsh who is officiated in the Football League and her two assistants. I was slightly disappointed by the poor finishing though. Too often into the final third following some good team play the final decision making would be the wrong option or wanting to many touches in the penalty area and the chance lost. Because of this we were almost resigned to a 0-0 before the Spanish goal at the death before the crowd of 16,041. This means Spain are through to meet England in Brighton in the Quarter Finals. Our return journey home was as good as to be expected. We left our seats promptly and were in minutes on the platform at Kew Bridge station awaiting our west bound train to Staines. The station is not big though and narrow platforms could make it challenging if you were trying to make a swift departure to central London. Our train arrived at 10:09 pm and we were at our car in Staines at 10.30 making it back to Leicestershire two hours later. Overall, a thoroughly good day out.

Brentford Community Stadium

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Denmark 0-1 Spain - Women's Euro 2022

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