Brentford’s Development Squad showed character and composure beyond their years to come back from 2-0 behind to draw against Bedfont Sports.
Despite missing a penalty in the first half, goals from trialist Jack Smith and Under-17 striker Sieka Jatta meant that the young Bees team go in to the new season on the back of a confidence boosting result.
The match set off at a frenetic pace with both sides playing a pressing game at a high tempo.
A pristine pitch and mild evening meant that Brentford were able to play the ball about on the deck early on and they had much of the opening exchanges.
In the tenth minute Bedfont that had the first meaningful chance though when George Baldock nodded the ball down to Jack Beadle, Beadle returned the ball to the powerful striker who managed to get a shot away from an angle, however it was well held by Brentford goalkeeper Joe Taylor.
It was in the 16th minute that the game produced the first moment of real drama.
Tom Field, playing out of position at left back for The Bees, crossed in from wide and the ball eventually found its way to the lively Jatta who was tripped by a Bedfont defender in the area for a clear penalty.
However, Fabian Rowe failed to capitalise as Alex Wines kept the home side level by saving low to his right.
Barely two minutes later Bedfont sliced through Brentford’s midfield with a slick counter attack, the ball broke to Steff Nor and his half volley cannoned off The Bees' crossbar.
The momentum seemed to be with Bedfont.
After the visitors missed the penalty, they were winning second balls and outmuscling the young Bees midfield.
The break-through for the home side came on the stroke of halftime.
Brentford midfielder Rowe was caught in possession 30 yards from his own goal by the industrious Joe Jackson who carried the ball wide before crossing for Baldock to sidefoot in to the roof of the net from eight yards.
As the half time whistle sounded the sun was still shining on the impressive turn out of fans who had come to watch this intriguing high tempo encounter.
Bedfont made changes in the break with Chris Baker and Vinny Hodge coming on for Dan Lucas and Jack Watts, whilst Brentford trialist Kojo Awotwi came on for captain George Pilbeam.
The second penalty of the match was awarded in the 53rd minute to the home side after Bees defender Gradi Milenge needlessly barged Jackson over when he was chasing the ball away from goal.
Beadle stepped up and powerfully converted for the home side, doubling their advantage.
It would have been understandable if the young Brentford players had lost composure and for a quarter of an hour the match went largely without incident.
The impressive Field came off for Makhosini Khanye whilst Bees Youth Team Manager Jeremy Steele, taking charge of the team, urged his side to regain their shape from the sideline.
The tide turned in the 68th minute when Jon Castiblanco and Michael Onovwigun linked in midfield before the ball broke to Jack Smith in the area, he shimmied to create space before finishing powerfully in to the corner of the goal, halving the home side’s lead.
There was a noticeable change of momentum as Brentford began to play the ball around with confidence, stretching Bedfont.
Awotwi’s pace in particular was causing problems for the Bedfont defence and the equaliser deservedly came in the 81st minute thanks to one of his surging runs down the right.
After a one-two with Rowe and a delightful turn away from the full back, he found Jatta who finished low to the keeper’s right from 12 yards.
Brentford really applied the pressure in the remaining ten minutes.
Smith was unlucky to hit the outside of the post with a shot in the dying stages of the game, but the away side were unable to find the winner.
Had the game continued ten minutes longer Brentford’s passing game may well have resulted in a goal to complete the comeback; however a draw was a fair result when the referee brought this highly competitive and enjoyable contest to a close.
Brentford: Joe Taylor, George Pilbeam (sub Kojo Awotwi h/t), Gradi Milenge, Daniel Webster, Tom Field (sub Makhosini Khanye 62 mins); Fabian Rowe, Michael Onovwigun (sub Zain Westbrooke 72 mins), Jon Castiblanco, Herson Alves, Jack Smith, Sieka Jatta
Sub (not used): Nik Tzanev
Bedfont Sports: Alex Wines; Bradley Wainwright (sub Gavin Bamford 55 mins), Rhys Turner, Dan Lucas (sub Vinny Hodge h/t), Justin Thompson; Jack Beadle (sub Kenny Rasch 67 mins), Cobi Jones (sub Sean Ryan 62 mins), Jack Watts (sub Chris Baker h/t), Steff Nor (sub Jack Beadle 77 mins), George Baldock, Joe Jackson
Subs (not used): Stuart Bamford, Liam Stone
By Tom Hagar