Brentford Under-21s made it three wins on the spin in the Professional Development League with a comfortable 3-0 away victory at Crewe Alexandra Under-21s.

Sam Saunders' side went into the break a goal to the good thanks to a Michael Olakigbe strike, and saw out the victory with second-half goals from Iwan Morgan and Michel Boni.

The young Bees started on the front foot and had two good chances within the first five minutes. Luka Bentt drew an excellent save from Sam Waller in the Crewe goal diving to his right, before Boni's low cross just evaded Olakigbe.

On 10 minutes, Bentt had another chance, heading just wide after a deflected corner.

Brentford eventually had a deserved lead on 18 minutes when Boni's header bounced back off the post and Olakigbe tucked home the rebound from a tight angle.

Ethan Laidlaw forced a good save from Waller five minutes before the break, bending an effort towards the corner from the left of the box, as the Bees went into the break 1-0 up.

Three minutes after the break, Saunders' side thought they had a second as Boni bravely beat Waller to the ball with his head and it looked to have crossed the line but the referee waved away the Brentford appeals.

Laidlaw and substitute Morgan both stung the palms of Waller as the west Londoners began to really impose themselves on the game in the swirling wind.

On 66 minutes, Morgan doubled the lead. Andre Grey, who moved into centre-half after scoring twice last time out, whipped an excellent switch out to the right. Ollie Shield's deft touch played Morgan in one-on-one with the keeper and he prodded the ball home to make it 2-0.

After a totally dominant display, Boni made it three after excellent work from Olakigbe down the right, whose low ball across the six-yard box was met obligingly by Boni, who tapped home on 74 minutes.

Crewe had their best chance of the day two minutes later when Lucas Swann seemed to pull back Chanse Headman but got through on goal and skewed his effort wide.

Overall it was a wonderful away performance from Saunders' side, who made it three wins in a row in the Professional Development League ahead of a break this weekend.

Crewe: Waller, Mingi (Irwin 61), Finney, Scott-Abel (Pinder 77), Dancey, Croker, Lankester (Roberts 35), Armstrong, Swann, Moore, Chadwick (Jones-Mellor 77)

Unused subs: Baker

Brentford: Cox, Shield, Picotto, Headman, Grey (McKnight 70), Owen, Olakigbe, Bentt (Honor 82), Boni (Trialist A 82), Mawene (Morgan 44), Laidlaw (Asemokhai 82)

Booked: Mawene


Sam Saunders on Crewe victory

Brentford Under-21s head coach Sam Saunders reflected on his side's excellent 3-0 away victory in Cheshire.

"It is a tough environment here, it was very windy and we spoke to the boys about having to create a buzz around the game. We responded to that and some of the football was outstanding," he explained.

"We were fluid in our structure and we were unpredictable. There was some good technical qualities and communication so there were lots of positives today."

"We dealt with what Crewe offered whether that was in to feet or aerially and we looked assured in possession as well."

"The squad is getting stronger, we've got people coming back from injuries and we spoke to the boys after the game about how team selection is now really tough. They've set the standards now, in the last three games they have been outstanding."