Bees host Dons after conquering Palace

Harry Pritchard’s first-half penalty had secured victory by the same margin at Hemel Hempstead in the Spencer McCall Invitational Trophy at the weekend and a late Courtney Senior strike saw off Premier League Palace.

The visitors had the first chance of the night on 12 minutes when Killian Phillips fired just over.

But Sam Barratt had penalty claims waved away on the half-hour mark and Idris Kanu went close when curling just over the crossbar.

Reece Hall-Johnson fired just past the far post and Zak Brunt sent a dipping effort from distance just over late in the first half.

And Bees boss Dean Brennan changed all 10 outfield players for the second 45 minutes, with Marvin Armstrong soon in the thick of the action with a curling shot that flew just wide.

Laurie Walker denied Palace with a fingertip save before Armstrong was denied at close range by visiting keeper Joel Whitworth.

And Bees won it six minutes from time when Senior sent a curling 25-yard shot into the top corner of the net to delight the home fans in a crowd of 1,753.

“I got the ball on the half turn, just driving, but no-one came to tackle me,” said matchwinner Senior.

“I see Marv made a run but it just opened up so I thought let me just hit and I hit it sweet and as soon as it left my foot I knew it was in.

“I haven’t scored one like that in a while, so even though it’s pre-season they all count. It did feel good.

“Obviously they’re at the top level, one of the best so it’s always good to test yourself against those players to see how far you are off from them. Definitely a good test for the boys.”

The 26-year-old Senior is now looking forward to the clash with MK Dons and has been pleased with progress made so far in pre-season.

“It’s good to get the fans and everyone down to Community Day,” he added.

“The tighter we are as a club and the fans are to the players, I feel like it will make us go a long way.

“I’ve found it quite good to be fair. The boys we’ve got are quite tight-knit, I think we’re working well together, the communication is a lot better as well, it’s good.”