Youth Team Captain James Ferry made his season bow on Saturday following a persistent injury and said it felt very good to be out playing again.

James picked up a knee injury in July at the Milk Cup which had limited him to half an hour of football before Saturday’s game against Palace.

Having come through 45 minutes unscathed on Saturday James said he was really happy to be back involved.

The 17-year-old was full of praise for the club’s medical department for helping to get him back so quickly and was pleased with how he coped in his first start of the season.

“I feel very good and I am very happy with how I did today,” said James.

“Physically it was very tough but I was happy with how I got on the ball.

“I didn’t feel like I was slower than the rest of the players.

“I was happy with how I kept up with the game.

“It is a big relief to be back out playing.

“All the work that I have done in the physio room has paid off and I am really happy to be back out there.

“The medical staff have been brilliant.

“If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be back as quick as I have been.

“I can’t thank them enough.”

James’ reappearance coincided with the Youth Team’s first defeat in five games as they went down 3-1 at home to lowly Crystal Palace.

The Eagles were content to sit off Brentford and forced The Bees to play in front of them while they looked to threaten on the counter.

It was a plan that worked as Palace struck twice before half-time and once more midway through the second-half.

James felt The Bees dominated the game but were punished by a clinical Palace team.

With very few sides in the Under-18 Professional Development League Two South playing in the mould that Palace do James believes Saturday’s game was a good learning exercise for the team in terms of playing against different styles and formations.

“It was disappointing but I thought we played well,” said James.

“The score-line was unfair in terms of the way each team played.

“I thought we played better than them but they were more clinical in terms of taking their chances.

“This season we have been clinical but today we weren’t as good.

“We were missing a few players like Bradley Clayton who takes his chances well.

“Today shows us that we can play well in football matches but the main reason for playing is to win.

“It shows us that winning needs to be a priority as well as performing well and showing the Brentford philosophy.

"I thought we needed to work the ball more in their half and be more patient in our build-up.

"It is good to get on the ball but it is frustrating when you can’t get that last ball through to create that chance and hopefully a goal.

“With training and practicing against those sorts of teams it won’t be long before everyone is used to playing against that style.

“It shows us that we need to work hard to play against that style.”

Next up for Brentford is a top of the table clash against Ipswich Town at Jersey Road.

The Bees are still two points clear at the top of the table despite Saturday’s defeat but all the sides below them have at least one game in hand on Jon De Souza’s side.

Saturday’s game begins a run which sees The Bees face tricky league games at home to Charlton Athletic and then away at Swansea City before a Youth Team cup tie away at Hull City all in the space of under three weeks.

For James who admits he just wants to be playing as much football as possible this intense run is a big positive and he thinks he and his teammates should have no fear going into any of the matches.

“We are buzzing the play against Ipswich and we are hopeful to get three points and stay top of the league,” said James.

“It will be a passing game because Ipswich like to keep the ball on the floor.

“They are the best types of games to play in because you can get a lot of touches on the ball and play a good style of football.

“I am looking to get back up to speed really.

“I am happy with how things have gone today so hopefully it won’t be long before I can get through the full 90.

“The Youth Cup is something everybody looks forward to and it is prestigious for all Under-18 boys.

“It is going to be a good test for us and a good experience and I am confident that we can do a job against them.”