Judge at the double as Brentford win at Crewe

Crewe 1–3 Brentford

Two superb goals from Alan Judge and a world class strike from Adam Forshaw gave Brentford a well-earned victory over Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road this afternoon.

Only 11 minutes had gone when Judge put the Bees in front with a belter from edge of area after a superb Brentford move turned defence into attack, with some slick passing and movement making a mockery of the conditions.

Soon after, Marcello Trotta let fly from the edge of the area after another sublime passing movement in which Brentford cut through their hosts at will, but the Italian shot just wide.

Another Judge shot from a similar range to his first was deflected just wide, while Clayton Donaldson should have doubled the lead against his former side, but fired over from near the penalty spot after Crewe failed to clear their lines.

Just before the break, Crewe keeper Ben Garrett came out to make superb save from Judge after a Trotta shot was blocked, but Judge was not to be denied his second when after the interval when the on loan Blackburn man let fly from 30 yards out after cutting in from the touchline, his shot dipping over and beyond Garrett.

If Garrett was stunned by that, the Crewe custodian could be forgiven for hanging his gloves up when, on the hour mark, Forshaw, looking up and seeing little on, tried his luck from 40 yards out and hit a inch perfect effort over Garrett and into the top corner.

Up to this point, Brentford had been dominant, but there was a warning sign when David Button made a good stop following a penalty area scramble, but the danger was not heeded, and with 20 minutes left Crewe pulled one back when a penalty for a soft handball given against Donaldson, and Chuks Aneke scored from the spot.

Donaldson had a chance to redeem himself when another long range effort from Forshaw was spilt into his path by Garrett, but the Brentford striker's shot was weak and the home keeper was able to smother it, while soon after, Tony Craig went close with a header from a corner.

Donaldson was denied again from close range by Garrett in injury time, but the points were well and truly heading back to west London by then.

BEES: Button, McCormack, Dean, Craig, Bidwell, Douglas, Forshaw (Reeves 80), Saville, Judge (Dallas 90), Trotta (Grigg 70), Donaldson. Subs not used: Lee, Tarkowski, Yennaris, O'Connor.