A dominant 90 minutes saw Brentford Under-18s beat Wigan Athletic Under-18s 5-0 away from home in Professional Development League action on Saturday afternoon.
Coming into the clash off the back of three-straight wins across the PDL and PDL Cup the young Bees were relentless, led by Naeem Giscombe’s brace and singles from Beau Redknapp, Domeiro Bobb-Semple and an own goal.
Kicking off in wet conditions at Christopher Park Training Ground, Gary McDermott’s side started as they planned to go on, dominating the ball early in the contest.
On 15 minutes Yerime Ouattara put a solid cross into Giscombe at the back post, but it sailed just over his head as he tried to head it home.
Three minutes later the visitor’s early dominance was rewarded through Redknapp. A superb first touch from Coran Madden saw him beat his opponent down the left side and push into the box before crossing the ball. Wigan goalkeeper Ewan Dodgson got his hands to it, however Redknapp was there to send the rebound home to make it 1-0.
The momentum carried through the next 10 minutes for the young Bees as they looked to double their lead. Ouattara had a shot deflected out for a corner before Madden’s shot was saved by Dodgson soon after.
On the half-hour mark Bobb-Semple came close to opening his account as he turned his defender inside out and pushed forward down the right side, however his shot was tipped out by Dodgson.
Three minutes later the lead was doubled for Brentford following some brilliant build-up play through the midfield. Bobb-Semple played to Giscombe down the right who broke forward before sending Bobb-Semple through the backline, the forward making no mistake for the west Londoners’ second.
Despite some promising attacking moves late in the first half, the score remained 2-0 as the two sides headed into the break.
Brentford remained in control as the second half got under way. Giscombe’s cross to Madden in the opening minute was intercepted and fell to Ouattara, but his shot was kept out.
One minute later Redknapp looked destined to score his second as he pushed into the box and fired at goal, but it was deflected out for a corner.
Erdis Reci had a good look on goal for the hosts moments later, however it was saved by a diving Connor Wolfheimer in goal for Brentford, who impressed en route to a clean sheet.
Soon after the young Bees had their third. Giscombe beat Dodgson to a loose pass from Wigan’s defence and chipped the goalkeeper, the ball bouncing into the post. Bobb-Semple was there to get the rebound, playing back to Giscombe who smashed the ball into an empty net.
Brentford didn’t have to wait long to get their fourth, Giscombe again finding the back of the net. Redknapp’s corner fell to Josh Zetter-Plummer at the back post, the right-back cannoning the ball towards goal, Giscombe tapping it home for his second.
Charlie Hughes had Wigan’s best look on goal just before the hour mark, however his shot sailed just over the bar.
McDermott’s side continued to press as they eyed a fifth goal. It eventually came on 62 minutes, Zachariah Edwards’ pass back finding the back of the net for an own goal.
Attention for the U18s now turns to Bristol City away on 27 September.
Brentford U17s are back in action in the Arsenal Academy Cup on Tuesday at Wheatsheaf Park.
Wigan Athletic U18s: Dodgson, Edwards, Reci, Spelman, Goulding (Cairns 73), Miller (Hagan HT), Edwards (Pugh 66), Gilbertson, Hughes, Clague, Gelhardt (Wesseldine 66)
Subs not used: Knight
Brentford U18s: Wolfheimer, Zetter-Plummer (Bowen 69), Ogungbemi, Golding (Oladapo-Gamu 75), Powis, Honor, Giscombe, Ouattara, Bobb-Semple, Redknapp (Cohalan 69), Madden (Kasujja 60)
Subs not used: Nicholls