Kojo Awotwi said watching his volley hit the back of the net and give Brentford’s Development Squad the lead in their Under-21 Professional Development League two South game against Bristol city was “the best thing ever”.
The winger came in off the left and volleyed home a Joe Maloney cross to put Brentford ahead in the match yesterday afternoon.
Kojo, speaking to Bees Player after the match, said right winger Josh Clarke was causing City all sorts of problems and he knew he could come in off the opposite flank and make the most of it.
The goal came when Emmanuel Oyeleke spread the play; the defence followed Josh Clarke inside leaving space for Joe Maloney, up from right back.
When the cross came in, Kojo met it on the volley 18 yards out and diverted it in to the top corner.
“Josh Clarke kept running down the wing and beating his man,” said Kojo.
“I knew there was an opportunity to get in to the box.
“Joe put the cross in and I shot on the volley.
“It went in the top corner.
“When I connected I had a feeling it was in.
“It is the best thing ever.
“Scoring and creating is what a winger should be doing.
“Josh is a very good player; he had the beating of the left back.
“I knew I should be getting in to the box for those crosses.
“It was a good opportunity to get in to the box and score.”
That was not enough, however, for Brentford to win the match, played at City’s training ground.
The hosts finished the first half well and equalised early in the second.
They had central defender Louis Carey sent off but restricted The Bees and then struck a winner on the break.
Kojo said individual mistakes cost Brentford and they did not deserve to lose the match.
He said The Bees did not work the goalkeeper enough.
“Bristol City spent most of the game defending,” said Kojo.
“We made two individual mistakes and it cost us.
“The other teams are more clinical at this level.
“They had two shots and scored two goals.
“We dominated the first half; they dominated the end of the half and came out strongly after half time.
“I don't think we deserved to lose the game.
“We had a lot of crosses in but didn’t have a lot of clear-cut chances.
“We didn’t work the keeper enough.
“We needed more bodies in the box.
“Josh was beating his man; if we had more bodies in the box we would have got more opportunities.”
Kojo is with Brentford on non-contract terms.
He is 17 so qualifies for the Youth Team and will learn later this year if he will be awarded a professional contact.
He was signed too late to get a full two-year scholarship.
Kojo told Bees Player he has progressed a lot in his time with The Bees.
“I was signed in my second year,” he explained.
“I was already in college.
“I am on non-contract terms.
“I was told to finish off my course and I’d play for Brentford’s Youth Team for one year.
“I get my decision about whether I get a professional contract next month with the rest of the boys.
“I am not in every day but I am a Brentford player.
“The season has been good.
“I have progressed and learned a lot.
“It is a big month for me.
“I have to work hard, do what I do and get a professional contract.”
Kojo has played 16 Under-18 Professional Development League Two games for The Bees and all three FA Youth Cup ties.
This was his third Development Squad game and he said they were very different.
He added it was good for him to play in them.
“These games are different to Youth Team level,” said Kojo.
“The ball is moved quicker and it is more physical.
“The games at Under-18 level are slower and less physical.
“These games are against men, dropping down from the First Team.
“It is good for your development.
“It helps progress you as a player, you learn more.
“You have to learn how to keep the ball.”
A full video interview with Kojo Awotwi is available here for Bees Player subscribers.