Jai Nwosu scored a hat-trick but Brentford were narrowly beaten 5-4 by West Ham United in an entertaining U18 Premier League contest on Saturday morning.

The young Bees twice held the lead at Little Heath Sports Ground but were ultimately edged in a thrilling end-to-end game, with Nwosu’s treble unable to prevent the hosts from claiming all three points.

The young Bees took the lead on five minutes with their first chance of the game as Jovan Kasujja delivered a perfect cross for Nwosu, who acrobatically steered the ball into the net. Despite the goalkeeper getting a strong palm to the effort, he could not keep it out.

The young Hammers were not behind for long, though, as Bailey Pammenter pounced on a fantastic through ball before striking a firm effort which squirmed underneath Layton Nicholls.

On 29 minutes Brentford went back in front as Jai Bansoodeb capitalised on a mistake from Tommy Goodger, with the goalkeeper heading the ball straight into the midfielder’s path. Bansoodeb calmly slotted the ball into the net.

Nwosu could have added a third before the break as he rose highest to meet a Nathaniel Ogungbemi cross, but his firm header whistled just wide of the post.

The striker had another opportunity to extend Brentford’s lead after doing well to fend off his opponent and break through on goal, but with only the goalkeeper to beat, he skewed his effort wide.

Gary McDermott’s side began the second period on the front foot, but West Ham were awarded a penalty after Charles Gadsdon was brought down following a powerful run into the box.

Joel Kerr stepped up and calmly converted from the spot.

Pammenter then grabbed his second of the game, reacting quickest after Nicholls had parried an initial effort from Gadsdon on the edge of the box to put the home side ahead.

Second-half substitute Christlife Mandungu went close to extending West Ham’s advantage when he smashed an effort from outside the box against the crossbar.

The home side had turned the tide and were creating a number of opportunities, with Dylan Danso and Josh Oladapo-Gamu making important interventions on several occasions.

Nwosu was then played through on goal and produced a delightful finish, chipping the goalkeeper to bring Brentford level.

The striker completed his hat-trick in spectacular fashion, scoring another chip, this time from outside the box, to put the young Bees back in front.

Mandungu then curled an effort into the net to level the scores once again.

Frankie Day ultimately had the final say, pouncing on a Brentford loss of possession before getting beyond Micaiah Fanoiki and rounding Nicholls to score the winner.

It was a tough defeat for the young Bees in an entertaining match.

McDermott's side are next in action on Saturday 5 September when they host Aston Villa.

West Ham: Goodger, Montague (Day 60), Kerr, Omotoye, MacAj, Agyemang, Lila (Madungu 60), Gadsdon (Ugate 56), Pammenter (Longman 60), Peychev (Noble 82) Magowan

Subs not used:, Tomlin, Smith.

Booked: Day 68

Brentford: Nicholls, Fanoiki, Danso (Biggs 85), Oladapo-Gamu, Ogungbemi (Zetter-Plummer 46), Cohalan, Noni (Roca 60), Bansoodeb (Trialist A 82), Kasujja, Nwosu, Madden

Subs not used: , Lyon, Mason, Serme

Booked: Roca 90+3