Brentford continued their impressive form, remaining unbeaten in 10 games, after beating Colchester United 3–1 at the Weston Homes Community Stadium on Boxing Day, writes Jeremy Martin.

Despite the win, Bees' manager Uwe Rosler was irritated that his side sat back and let Colchester United back into the game having taken a 2–0 lead within 10 minutes, saying afterwards: 'we sat back, we thought we’d won the game already.'

The Bees took the lead after only four minutes when a back post cross was miraculously nodded down by Clayton Donaldson to Marcello Trotta who rifled the ball over the head of Colchester keeper Cousins from close range.

After 12 minutes Colchester defender Josh Thompson brought down Donaldson, who had a clear goal scoring opportunity, to see a straight red card appear from the referee’s pocket. After he departed Adam Forshaw curled a free kick into the top right hand corner.

Much to Rosler’s ire, referee Gavin Ward then produced a brace of yellow cards for Jonathan Douglas and Tom Adeyemi.

Drey Wright pulled one back before the Bees had Adeyemi sent off for a second booking for a reckless challenge, just prior to the break.

Brentford were more cautious during the early stages of the second half. In lashing rain and with the pitch becoming increasingly sticky, former Bees Marcus Bean and Clinton Morrison were a constant thorn in the Bees side with their movement and physical challenges. 

Rosler showed his astute tactical awareness by using his substitutes to tighten the midfield and take a grip on the game. A Jake Bidwell free kick was floated into the Colchester penalty box where Donaldson claimed an assist by knocking the ball down and Harlee Dean was not going to miss from four yards as he ushered the ball over the line to complete what on paper will look a comfortable win but in reality was a robust and fraught Boxing Day fixture.

Students of edible molluscs will know that the local oysters are known as 'Colchester Natives' and with the Bees inflicting the sixth consecutive defeat on Colchester United the natives were somewhat restless as they headed home into the Essex night! 

Meanwhile Brentford now travel to Shrewsbury Town on Saturday followed by a home game v AFC Bournemouth on New Year’s Day.

Brentford: Lee; Hodson, Dean, Craig, Bidwell; Douglas, Adeyemi, Forshaw (sub Diagouraga 72 mins), Forrester (sub Kiernan 85 mins); Donaldson, Trotta (sub Logan 59 mins)

Subs (not used): Gounet, Reeves, Saunders, Hayes

Sent Off: Adeyemi (44 mins) (second bookable offence)

Attendance: 4,200 (711 Bees fans)