Alfie Mawson said one moment – the sending off of midfield player George Pilbeam – completely changed Brentford’s Under-21 Professional Development League Two South game against Ipswich Town.
The Bees were 1-0 up on Tuesday afternoon when George was sent off for a second yellow card.
He had already been booked when he charged down goalkeeper Scott Loach and clattered in to him, making a red card the only option.
Ipswich equalised with 15 minutes to go – Alfie had put Brentford ahead in the first half – and scored three more to take the win.
Alfie said George, promoted from the Youth Team to play in the game, would learn from the red card and was one of Brentford’s best players until it happened.
He said The Bees dealt with the threat of Republic of Ireland internationals Alan Lee and Stephen Hunt, playing for Ipswich, but were affected by the red card.
He said 4-1 flattered Ipswich but he was gutted with the result.
“George’s sending off changed the game,” said Alfie, speaking to Bees Player after the match.
“He was naïve but he was one of our best players for 65 minutes
“He will learn from that.
“It was one of those things.
“We played really well in the first half.
“We were in control.
“We dealt with Alan Lee and Stephen Hunt and did what we needed to do.
“We could have put the game to bed.
“You try to get on with it when you are a man down but subconsciously it can affect you.
“I think it did.
“When the second and third went in, heads dropped.
“We have to get on with it.
“I am gutted, as a defender you want clean sheets.
“They were very clinical but four flattered them.
“Sometimes one thing can change a game, I think it did.
“We have to be ready to play with ten men.”
Alfie said he did not care that he scored as his job was to defend and Brentford conceded four.
He added that a young team would benefit from playing in a game like that.
“We are still young,” he said.
“We can be naïve, try and overplay and do things we wouldn’t do in a First Team.
“We need to make mistakes and learn from them.
“Learning to play with ten men will come with age and experience.
“Playing in a game like this will only benefit us.
“It was nice to score but I’m not bothered about the goal.
“We let in four, that is what I am worried about.”
Alfie has been on loan at Skrill South Maidenhead United since the start of October.
He was recalled earlier today and has now joined Luton Town.
Alfie said he enjoyed his time at Maidenhead and had to use all the experience he gained to make him a better player.
“It is totally different,” said the defender.
“It is more direct, more heading and kicking.
“I took some things I learned in to this game.
“I have to take things from those games at Maidenhead and from my time at Brentford to become a better player.”
A full video interview with Alfie Mawson is available here for Bees Player subscribers.