A dominant final 10 minutes of play saw Brentford Under-18s claim a 3-0 EFL Youth Alliance Merit League 2 win over Forest Green Under-18s at Wheatsheaf Park on Saturday.

Going into the break 0-0, the young Bees were looking for some reward for effort, which they found through goalscorers Matas Klimas, Omaru King and Ollie Shield in the second half.

The opening 10 minutes of play saw an even contest, both sides enjoying time in possession without posing a threat to the oppositions’ backline.

The young Bees enjoyed their best passage of play on 12 minutes, Shield crossing from the right side and finding Remy Bennison, who faked left and fired a shot off his right foot that was well saved by Forest Green keeper Callum Godfrey.

Shield was in the action again two minutes later, his cross finding Michael McSorley in the box who threw his boot at it, the shot going wide left of the goal.

The young Bees continued to enjoy some promising attacking moves across the middle stages of the first half, Shield and Bennison providing plenty of run down both wings, their crosses hitting dangerous positions in the box without ending in a score.

Despite having the momentum, Brentford couldn’t capitalise and it was Forest Green who eventually got the game back on their terms.

Luca Alonzi proved a hassle for the young Bees’ backline across the latter stages of the first 45 minutes, the forward getting into dangerous positions. His first shot on 32 minutes was a strong strike, however safely secured by Connor Wolfheimer in goal for Brentford.

Alonzi had two more tries on goal as the break approached, however they went wide right and high over the bar, keeping the score 0-0 going into half-time.

Brentford wasted little time going on the attack to start the second half, Bennison driving down the left side in the opening minute and crossing into the box, but no one was there to finish off the job.

The young Bees went one better two minutes later, Shield crossing to Kerron Samuels at the back post whose header was saved, but Klimas was there to fire home the rebound to give the home side a 1-0 lead.

Brentford continued to hold the momentum as the second half progressed, the side putting together some promising attacking movements without finding the back of the net.

Despite some dominant play from the young Bees, the visitors nearly equalised as the hour mark approached, a strong strike from outside the box well saved by a diving Wolfheimer.

Both sides brought on fresh legs, Brentford substitutes Samuels, King, Kaya Halil, Babu Ombok and Trae Payet hitting the pitch as the latter stages of the second half grew closer.

King wasted little time having an impact, the midfielder able to work past multiple defenders with a superb individual effort and score to make it 2-0.

The goal killed any momentum the visitors had and with a handful of minutes to play, the three points were secured.

Shield made sure of the result in added time, his header from Bennison’s cross finding the bottom right corner to make it 3-0, finishing off a dominant final 10 minutes for the young Bees.

Brentford U18: Wolfheimer, Ivanov, Klimas, Francis (King, 64’), Asemokhai (Samuels, 45’) Bennison, Agyei (Halil, 61’), McSorley, Shield, Annous (Payet, 86’), Grey (Ombok, 74’)

Forest Green U18: Godfrey, Bell, Wilson (Clarke, 76'), Merrett, Sanniola, Conteh (Hughes, 61'), Raut (Bonnick, 61'), Walsh (Petrynski, 76'), Aldridge, Mason (Ismail, 71'), Alonzi

Pittman pleased with young Bees' overall performance

Brentford Under-18 assistant coach Jon-Paul Pittman was full of praise for his side's effort in Saturday's win, highlighting the players' ability to stay strong even when the momentum was against them.

The young Bees were the better side for the majority of the game and were rewarded with three second half goals.

"I'm really pleased with the way the boys conducted themselves throughout the game, whether we were in control or the opposition started getting a little bit more control back in the game," said Pittman.

"We stuck to our principles and we looked after each other and we showed some real robustness in both boxes."

Pittman praised his substitutes who were superb in the win, King getting on the scoresheet and Samuels having an immediate impact in both boxes. He also touched on Klimas, who scored his first goal in Brentford colours.

"We gave the guys their messages before they went out on the pitch and they carried them out expertly," said Pittman.

"Matas has been a breath of fresh air, he gives balance on that side of the pitch, he wants to compete ... the whole backline today, really mature in their performance."

McSorley signs with Brentford Under-18s

We are pleased to announce that our Under-18s have added Michael McSorley to the side on an 18-month professional contract until June 2025, with a club option for another year.

Following a stint with the young Bees as a trialist, McSorley put pen to paper and is a welcomed addition to Lydia Bedford and Pittman's side.

"I'm really pleased with Michael, we saw him in a trial game and he didn't catch the eye in that game in particular but over a period of time, we started to see his qualities come through and he's just carried on in that vein," said Pittman.