Kneissl a hit with Brentford fans

5:15pm Friday 13th July 2007

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Former Chelsea player Sebastian Kneissl made an immediate impact on Brentford fans when he set up a goal for fellow debutant Lee Thorpe after only four minutes of the opening friendly of the season away to Staines Town last Thursday.

German winger Kneissl was one of five trialists to be included by Brentford manager Terry Butcher, the others being Trinidad & Tobago international Ricky Shakes, defender Donny Barnard, midfielder Gary Smith and forward Kevin Smith.

The friendly ended all square at 2-2, with Adrian Toppin equalising Thorpe's goal and Mark Nwokeji cancelling out a great strike from Charlie Ide.

Butcher said: "Kneissl was previously at Chelsea, Shakes, another winger, has been realised by Swindon, Barnard is from Orient, Gary Smith from MK Dons and Kevin Smith from Sunderland where he was top scorer for their reserves last season.

"They have aquitted themselves well with us and their attitude has been spot on. I will now have to see what money we have available before making any decisions.

"I would like to sign four more players, but that would depend on either the Board increasing the budget or other players leaving the club."

A crowd of 1,227 saw an entertaining match at Staines, even though there were several players making their debuts and both managers made massive changes for the second-half.

Staines Town first-half: Allaway; J Newton, Gordon, Flitter, Sargent; H Newton, Scarlett, Topping, James; Nwokeji, Mason. Second-half team: Courtnage; Ellis, Gordon (Herbert, 67mins), Flitter (Matthews), McGowan; Toppin, McClurg, Risbridger, Isa (Sesay, 79mins); Nwokeji, Hill.

Brentford first-half: Brown; Barnard, Heywood, Mackie (capt), Charles; Shakes, G Smith, Mousinho, Kneissl; Thorpe, Connell. Second-half team: Masters; Dark, Osbourne, Heywood, Tillen; O'Connor, Barnard, Pead; Ide, Montague, K Smith.