Brentford Under-18s were defeated 4-0 by Burnley Under-18s at Wheatsheaf Park on Saturday.

Returning home for the Professional Development League (PDL) clash, the young Bees welcomed a strong Burnley side.

The young Clarets entered the game third in group north of the PDL with three wins, a loss and a +10-goal differential.

It was an entertaining start to the game, both sides stringing together some promising passages of play going into attack.

It was Burnley who showed their finishing class first, however, Benji Wetshi finishing off a cross from the left side from close range to make it 1-0 inside 10 minutes of play.

It was the visitors who continued to show their chemistry, however Lydia Bedford’s side remained in the contest.

Wetshi nearly found a second goal for Burnley on 24 minutes, however his shot was well kept out by Connor Wolfheimer in goal.

Five minutes later it was Zac Johnson who found the back of the net to double the young Clarets’ lead, his half-volley shot forcing its way past Wolfheimer.

Across the final 15 minutes of the first half Brentford came into their own, some promising transition movement and set pieces getting the young Bees back in the game.

Kaya Halil had a good look on goal on 37 minutes, however his long-range shot was wide left of the goal.

Domeiro Bobb-Semple nearly found Brentford’s first in the final five minutes of the half, his shot from a Freddie Taylor cross going right of the goal.

Coming out of the break it was Burnley who were putting the pressure on Brentford’s defenders, Wolfheimer called into action on 50 minutes to make a great save.

Frankie McMahon-Brown nearly added the visitor’s third a minute later, however his long-range strike hit the right post.

Wolfheimer was required again on 55 minutes, a loose pass leading to Johnson being one-on-one with the Brentford goalkeeper, who made a superb save.

Substitutions Luka Bentt, Yerime Ouattara and Josh Djoro made an impact when they were brought on. Bentt nearly assisted the young Bees’ first, pushing down the left side and into the box on 66 minutes and crossing the ball in, however no teammates were there to meet it.

Despite the scoreline, Bedford’s side continued to press for a first. A long throw in from Greg Asemokhai on 68 minutes bounced around inside the box, fell to Michael McSorley whose shot was deflected away, rolling towards Felix Chester in goal for Burnley, who beat Bentt to it.

Daespite some quality play from the home side, it was Burnley who scored first in the second half, Adam Abbas getting on the scoresheet to make it 3-0.

Two late goals in the final 10 minutes made it five for the young Clarets, who took home all three points.

Brentford U18: Wolfheimer, Taylor, Payet (Ouattara, 45’), Klimas, Asemokhai, Honor (Bentt, 45’), Bobb-Semple (Francis, 72’), Poliakov, McSorley, Halil, Giscombe (Djoro, 45’)

Subs not used: Powis

Burnley U18: Chester, Jackson, Pimlott, Adekoya, McEvily, Savae, Abbas, McMahon-Brown, Wetshi, Johnson, Pouani

Subs: Edwards, McMahon-Brown, So, Blackie