Brentford 5 AFC Wimbledon 3
Farid El Alagui netted twice and youngster Luke Norris scored his first goal for Brentford as they progressed in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
Summer signings Ben Nugent and Javi Venta also scored their first Bees goals in what was a one-sided southern section first-round clash at Griffin Park until a late rally by Wimbledon.
El Alagui opened the scoring four minutes before half-time when Norris pulled the ball back for him to finish from six yards out.
It brought the home side – and El Alagui in particular – to life after a listless start to the match.
The Moroccan forward, recently back from a long-term knee injury, almost scored again before the interval.
He cleverly turned away from two defenders in the box but was unable to find a way past keeper Ross Worner.
And Norris, given a chance to impress up front, headed Sam Saunders’ cross over the bar as Brentford finished the half strongly.
Prior to El Alagui’s goal, the best chance had fallen to Wimbledon’s Jack Midson, who shot horribly wide after being found unmarked.
The League Two team almost equalised – and felt they should have had a penalty – soon after the restart.
David Button raced from his line to save from George Porter and then clattered into the Dons substitute, who managed to lift his follow-up effort over the Bees keeper but Kevin O’Connor was on hand to clear.
To rub salt into Wimbledon’s wounds, they were 3-0 down by the 54th minute.
Norris slotted into the bottom corner after being teed up by Jake Reeves before Worner found himself in no man’s land and El Alagui rounded him and fired home.
Wimbledon responded swiftly and Jack Fenlon’s long-range effort gave them some hope.
But Brentford continued to dominate and Saunders went close before on-loan Cardiff defender Nugent headed in the fourth.
Then, after Worner failed to hold Nugent’s 25-yarder, Venta emphatically thumped in the loose ball to make it 5-1.
Wimbledon pulled one back with eight minutes remaining, George Francomb bursting into the area and shooting past Button after being set up by Michael Smith.
And they scored again when Peter Sweeney curled in a fine left-footed strike in the final minute.
Brentford (4-4-2):Button; Logan (Venta 45), O’Connor, Nugent; Barron (Pierre 45); Dallas, Diagouraga; Saville (Reeves 22), Saunders; Norris; El Alagui.
Subs not used: O’Brien, Clarke.
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This post was last modified on 05/09/2013