Brentford Under-18s faced Reading’s and Middlesbrough’s Under-18s in two 60-minute clashes at Loughborough University on Saturday afternoon.
The young Bees drew 1-1 with Reading in an entertaining clash thanks to a second half Naeem Giscombe goal, following it up with a 3-0 defeat to Middlesbrough.
The west Londoners started the better of the two sides in the opening clash against Reading, gaining the ascendency across the opening five minutes.
On five minutes a Yerime Ouattara corner fell to captain Aidan Golding, however his shot went over the bar.
A minute later Reading earned a penalty after being taken down in the box and scored from the spot to make it 1-0.
The Ouattara to Golding link-up returned on 13 minutes, this time Golding’s header at the back post going over the bar.
Brentford won the ball straight back from the goal kick, Jovan Kasujja taking possession and firing at goal, the shot well saved by the Reading goalkeeper.
Two minutes later Reading were back on the attack and had an open look on goal, Chris Cohalan doing well to clear the ball off the line.
Edging towards half-time the young Bees continued to attack, this time some strong build up play through the middle of the pitch finding Kasujja whose left-foot shot went right of the goal.
Following the half-time break, Brentford’s trialist goalkeeper gave up a back-pass infringement, the ensuing free-kick cannoning into the bar before being cleared.
Five minutes later it was the young Bees’ time to attack, Ouattara breaking through the middle of the pitch and finding Giscombe, who took a touch and fired it home to equalise.
As the game entered its final moments, Reading had multiple chances to score a winner, however were unable to break through Brentford’s defence, Cohalan clearing the ball off the line for a second time to ensure a 1-1 draw.
Brentford U18s: Trialist A, Fanoiki, Ogungbemi (Trimboli HT), Golding, Cohalan, Trialist B, Giscombe, Ouattara, Kasujja, Trialist C, Bobb-Semple
Subs: Zetter-Plummer, Trialist D, Trialist E
A new-look Brentford side battled hard, however fell to a 3-0 defeat to Middlesbrough in the second 60-minute clash.
With multiple players earning minutes in a second-straight game the young Bees were tested by their fresher opponents, however gained valuable minutes ahead of the upcoming training camp in Portugal.
Michel Boni had two shots on target in the first half, however the forward was unable to find the back of the net as the Middlesbrough goalkeeper made two saves.
On 18 minutes Brentford’s trialist goalkeeper was called into action, making a strong save as Middlesbrough found themselves through on goal.
Two minutes later the young Boro went ahead 1-0, a scoreline that would remain until the half-time break.
After the break, Brentford’s keeper was again called into action and made another strong save to keep the game at 1-0.
On 45 minutes Reuben Lawal’s free kick from the right side was cleared to the edge of the box, trialist E firing at goal off the half-volley, the shot tipped over the bar.
Two goals in the next 10 minutes from Middlesbrough put the game to bed, the final score reading 3-0.
Brentford now turn their attention to Portugal on Monday. They will face Gil Vicente Under-19s on Wednesday, before facing Porto Under-17s next Saturday.
Brentford U18s: Trialist A, Ogungbemi, Cohalan (Fanoiki HT), Trialist B (Kasujja HT), Ouattara (Trialist E HT), Zetter-Plummer, Trimboli (Giscombe 25), Lawal, Boni, Trialist C, Trialist D