A first-half brace from debutant Charlie MacDonald helped Brentford to a 4-0 victory over Grimsby.

Striker scores twice in easy home win

A first-half brace from debutant Charlie MacDonald helped Brentford to a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Grimsby. The close-season signing from Southend opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a delightful effort with the outside of his right foot after a fine run by James Wilson. Nine minutes later Nathan Elder forced home a second Brentford goal when Grimsby goalkeeper Phil Barnes failed to gather a cross. MacDonald effectively sealed the win in the dying seconds of the first period when he slotted home after latching onto Alan Bennett's through ball. And Glenn Poole heaped further humiliation on the visitors with a fourth on the hour mark after fine work by Elder. Andy Taylor missed Grimsby's best chance when he lifted over from 20 yards and Danny North forced Ben Hamer into a low save late on but the Mariners got exactly what they deserved.