An injury-time equaliser saw Brentford earn a point in the Professional Development League as they drew 2-2 with Queens Park Rangers at Wheatsheaf Park on Saturday.
Brentford fell behind inside the opening minute of the game after a shock early goal from QPR, the young Bees fought back with a Kaya Halil strike taking the game level into the break. An even second half saw the visitors get back ahead with 15 minutes to play only for Brentford to rescue a late point following a Greg Asemokhai header.
Lydia Bedford was looking for a reaction from here side following a couple of disappointing results in their previous fixtures.
QPR also had a point to prove having not won any of their six league games so far this season.
The visitors got off to a dream start shocking the Bees with an early goal inside the first minute of the match.
Rico Kennedy flew down the right flank for QPR before delivering a cross towards Ridwan Hassan who found the bottom corner with his first time shot.
Brentford had a couple of good chances to get themselves back on level terms, the first opportunity came when Freddie Taylor found Naeem Giscombe with a cross from the right wing, but the forward's header was off target.
Luca Bentt was next to deliver a good cross, this time from the left flank with Taylor arriving at the far post but again Brentford were unable to hit the target.
After some good spells of play the hosts managed to get themselves on level terms on 18 minutes following an excellent move.
Josh Djoro pounced on a loose QPR pass before playing a perfect ball through Halil who showed composure to take it round Callum Loades and passing into an empty net.
The game was played at a great pace in the opening half with players from both sides flying into challenges in typically London derby fashion.
QPR had a good chance to get themselves back in front just before the break when Emmerson Sutton got in behind the Brentford defence, but the winger’s effort flew wide of the post.
The young Bees started the second half well with left wing-back Yerime Outtara creating a threat going forward with his overlapping runs.
Conor Wolfheimer made a great save for the hosts just before the hour mark when Teddy Tarbotton broke through, the keepers strong boot keeping the scoreline level.
There wasn’t much between the sides as the second half progressed but QPR’s wide players always remained a threat.
The pair linked up for the visitors on 71 minutes when Kennedy’s cross from the right flank found Sutton at the far post allowing the forward to control the ball home.
Shortly after QPR were down to 10 players after Tarbotton was giving a second yellow for stopping a Brentford attack.
The visitors were defending with everything they had in the final 10 minutes of the game as Brentford flooded the box in numbers, substitute Isaiah Powis saw his shot from close range blocked by Charlie Street.
Otis Honor had a brilliant chance when he meet a cross from Domeiro Bobb-Semple with his header hitting the bar before bouncing out of play.
The Bees were finally rewarded for their hard work with a late goal four minutes into injury time.
Asemokhai leaped highest to head the ball into the back of the net securing a point for his side.
Brentford Under-18s: Wolfheimer, Taylor (Payet, 65’), Outtara (Ivanov, 78’), Francis (Bobb-Semple, 59’), Asemokhai, Klimas, Halil, Djoro (Poliakov, 59’), Bentt (Powis, 59’), Giscombe, Honor
Queens Park Rangers Under-18s: Loades, Putman, Adjetey-Brew, Street, Keita-Turay, Tarbotton, Kennedy, Neill, Hassa, Neziri, Sutton
Subs: Strachan, Jones, Skeete, Radojevic, Baloguin
Lydia Bedford reacts to derby day draw
Brentford Under-18s head coach Lydia Bedford says despite it not being the best performance from her side, she is pleased with the hunger they showed to get a late goal.
Bedford feels her team were unfortunate not to win the game with the chances they created but will take a well learnt point under the circumstances.