Our young Bees shared the spoils away from home against Fulham Under-21s as Iwan Morgan’s fantastic strike was cancelled out by George Okkas’ second-half goal.
Brentford secured a crucial point in their Group G clash against Fulham at Motspur Park this evening, as they drew 1-1.
After starting the game on the front-foot, our boys scored early through Iwan Morgan who latched onto Val Adedokun’s pass and smashed into the roof of the net to give us the lead.
Vincent Angelini was in inspired form, as he had to make numerous saves throughout the contest to prevent a Fulham leveller.
The home side did get a goal back though, as George Okkas cushioned a shot into the net. Neither side could find the winner as we scuppered the young Cottagers’ 100% to Group E.
Our young Bees were in search of victory away from home as they took on Fulham in the Premier League Cup.
From the last Premier League Cup game which was a 1-0 win against Leicester City, head coach Neil MacFarlane made five changes to the starting line-up. Erion Zabeli, Conor McManus, Ashley Hay, Iwan Morgan and Max Dickov all came into the team for tonight's game.
Our boys settled quickly into the contest, looking assured on the ball as we probed in the Fulham half.
Our press was proving to be effective, and the first goal came from a forced error, Adedokun picked up the loose ball and fed Morgan who rifled into the top corner of the net. This was Morgan’s second goal this week, after he scored for the Under-18s in the FA Youth Cup game against Tottenham on Tuesday.
The young Cottagers created their first opportunity of the game and it required a good stop from goalkeeper Angelini, who parried Chris Donnell’s header away from danger.
Angelini was called into action again, making a great stop from Lemar Gordon. Since the opener, the tide turned in favour of Fulham who were finding themselves in good positions. The home side continued to stay on top and two saves in quick succession from Angelini underlined this.
The B team shot-stopper first pushed away George Okkas’ shot on the edge of the box. The rebound fell to Luke Harris and diving in the wrong direction, Angelini managed to save with his feet. Max Dickov went extremely close to a brilliant goal, volleying from distance but a great save from Alex Borto in the Fulham net prevented us from extending our lead. The young Cottagers goalkeeper could do nothing to stop a strong header from Conor McManus, but the midfielder’s effort cannoned off the crossbar. Harris did have an opportunity just before half time but he failed to hit the target with his headed attempt.
The second half saw us start in similar fashion to the first, and Dickov again tested Borto from distance, but the goalkeeper did well to push over the bar.
Despite this, the home side drew level as Donnell’s wicked delivery found Okkas in acres of space to pick his spot and equalise.
We should have gone back ahead, as a ball over the top saw Morgan through on goal, but he made the decision to head the ball and that ultimately allowed the keeper to collect easily.
Second-half substitute Oliver O’Neil missed a gilt-edged chance later in the half, putting the ball wide with only the keeper to beat.
O’Neill was in the thick of the action again, striking from distance, and after taking a number of wicked deflections the ball crashed off the crossbar.
Fulham were ramping up the pressure and a cross into the box found the head of Callum Osmand but he mis-timed his effort as it trickled wide.
Harris had a late chance to win it for the home side, but the resulting shot flew well over the bar.
That was how the game would end as our young Bees secured a crucial point away from home in the PL Cup.
The draw means that in the meantime, we stay in second place with five points, as we look ahead to a test against Burnley in the new year.
Brentford B: Angelini, Farr, Adedokun, Zabeli, Kim, McManus, Hay, Owen (Waruih 82'), Morgan (Holland 76'), Dickov (Brierely 82'), Yogane
Subs not used: Booth, Laidlaw
Fulham U21: Borto, Donnell, Araujo (O’Neill 62'), Odutayo, Williams, King (Nsasi 85'), Sekularac, Okkas, Loupalo-Bi (Osmand 71'), Harris, Gordon (Lanquedoc 63')
Subs not used: McNally
MacFarlane full of praise for his side's efforts
Brentford B head coach Neil MacFarlane praised his side following their tough 1-1 draw with Fulham Under-21s.
Following a 6-1 defeat to the Cottagers earlier in the Premier League Cup campaign, the result was a welcomed improvement for MacFarlane and his group.
Morgan's confidence growing following two-goal week
Iwan Morgan has enjoyed a week to remember, scoring in Brentford Under-18s FA Youth Cup loss to Tottenham and in the Premier League Cup draw with Fulham. He says his confidence continues to grow as he builds chemistry with his new teammates.