Brentford B were beaten 4-1 away from home by Newcastle United Under-21s at the Magpies’ training ground on Saturday morning.
Two early goals had Newcastle ahead inside the opening 20 minutes before a much improved second half from young Bees saw them get back into the game through a Michael Olakigbe goal. More chances fell for Neil MacFarlane’s side but they were unable to capitalise on their dominance in the second period and two very late strikes from United perhaps flattered the home side overall.
The B team headed to the north east in what has been a relentless schedule for the young group having played three fixtures in Portugal before returning to the UK to beat Wealdstone earlier this week prior to the trip to Newcastle.
It was a game where the hosts definitely started the brighter as they had their first opportunity at goal on four minutes. A low ball into the box from the left found Ben Parkinson at the far post but his low effort was well stopped by Roco Rees. The Newcastle man then had a follow up effort saved again by the B team keeper.
On eight minutes the Bees did have a good chance when Daniel Oyegoke played a terrific ball out to the right into the path of Fin Stevens which the Wales Under-21 international took in his stride before crossing low towards Lucias Vine. The forward stooped to head the ball from six yards but the attempt was well blocked.
On 12 minutes Newcastle had the lead through Matt Targett as he was found on the left-hand side before curling into the bottom corner with his right foot past Rees to make it 1-0.
Eight minutes later it became 2-0 and it came in disappointing circumstances as a corner was whipped in and Remi Savage rose highest to head into the far corner.
On 30 minutes the Bees had another good opportunity when captain Alex Gilbert switched the play out to Romeo Beckham. The winger opted to shoot early with a half volley but his attempt went over the Newcastle goal. Brentford then had the ball in the net eight minutes later through Val Adedokun as he drove inside and powered past the keeper but for the offside flag to go up against Vine in the build-up to the shot.
The final chance of the half fell for the Bees as they had a period of pressure in the closing stages of the first 45 minutes. A clever free-kick from Gilbert was slotted into the path of Olakigbe, who cut in onto his right foot, but his powerful effort was well blocked.
The Bees started the second period with more intensity as within a minute Stevens fed the ball inside to Gilbert, who then flicked it onto substitute Kyreece Lisbie, whose powerful effort towards the top corner was well blocked.
Kyreece Lisbie in action against Newcastle
Another substitute Vincent Angelini was called into action just after the hour as Michael Ndiweni was played in down the left before he curled an effort towards goal which the Brentford keeper pushed away.
On 68 minutes the Bees got themselves back in the game and deservedly so. Max Wilcox switched play out to the right to find Stevens who drove towards the box and crossed low. It initially fell to Lisbie but his shot was blocked into the path of Olakigbe who made no mistake from just a few yards out.
The substitutes continued to make an impact and this time it was Charlie Farr, who made his return from a couple of months out with a hamstring injury. The defender made an instant impact down the right and almost netted when Gilbert’s ball down the line was flicked on by Lisbie. Farr then drove towards goal and his curled right footed effort attempt fell just the wrong side of the post.
Brentford’s dominant spell continued with Gilbert often at the heart of things. He switched the ball out to Max Dickov befote the ball was worked across goal and just missed Farr at the back post. After possession was recycled Gilbert then flashed an effort across goal which Lisbie’s slide couldn’t connect with. Moments later another ball came back in from the right but Olakigbe couldn’t adjust his body in time as the cross came through a crowd of bodies before missing the Brentford man.
With three minutes to play and Brentford pushing for an equaliser they were then dealt a blow when a ball across goal for the hosts found Parkinson who smashed home with composure low past Angelini. Just a minute later it became 4-1 to Newcastle as Rodrigo Vilca hit an unstoppable effort from 35 yards which flew into the top corner as the Magpies came away with the victory.
Brentford B: Rees (Angelini, 45), Stevens, Adedokun, Oyegoke, Jones (Farr, 69), Olakigbe, Waruih (Wilcox, 56), Vine (Dickov, 45), Gilbert (Booth, 89), Beckham (Lisbie, 45), Syla (Wilson, 69)