Youth Team defender Chris Mepham said the pressure was on the Youth Team to perform and reach the Under-18 Professional Development League Two Play-Off final after falling short in tournament football this campaign.
The Bees suffered early exits in the Milk Cup, FA Youth Cup and IMG Cup in Florida, all of which Chris felt, needed to be put to bed at Monday’s match against Huddersfield Town.
Chris said there was a feeling of relief after the 2-1 win over The Terriers and he is now looking forward to the final.
“It is a big achievement after what has gone on this season,” said Chris.
“We have had a lot of ups and downs but ultimately we deserve to be in the final against Charlton.
“The mood in the dressing room is amazing.
“It is more a relief than anything that we have actually got somewhere.
“We deserved to go further in the Milk Cup, further in Florida and further in the Youth Cup.
“We have a good strong chance of going into the final and winning.
“We knew that we had to win today because we had previously failed as a club at the other tournaments we had been in.
“It is a real confidence booster going into the final because we know we have boys, like Bradley Clayton, who can create and take chances.”
The Bees booked their place in next month’s final as they came from behind to beat Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Rekiel Pyke fired the hosts ahead just before the break but that was cancelled out shortly after half-time as Seth Owens poked home.
Bradley Clayton got the decisive second as he finished off a flowing team move to set up a final against Charlton Athletic.
Chris felt that once The Bees matches their opponents physically they had the better players to go out and win the match.
“We went in at half-time and knew that we needed to quicken up the tempo because we felt we were a bit slow and we weren’t taking players out of their shape,” said Chris.
“Second-half we stepped the tempo up.
“We got a little bit of luck with the free-kick that the keeper parried but once it went to 1-1 I think we started to dominate the game.
“The second goal was always going to come it was just a matter of time.
“We had to match them physically because once we did that we had the better footballers.
“We competed with them and stuck with them and then our quality shone through after that.
“Everybody chipped in together and put their bodies on the line and ultimately that prevented Nik Tzanev from having to make any saves.
“Throughout the game we were putting our bodies on the line, putting tackles in and matching them physically.”
Monday’s match was Chris’ 22nd league appearance of his first-year scholarship season.
The tall defender, who joined the club in 2014, admitted it has been a frustrating year watching Gradi Milenge and Seth Owens form such a successful partnership in the heart of the defence.
However, having got his chance due to injury, Chris said it is now up to him in training to prove he is worth a starting spot.
“It has been a difficult season for me bearing in mind Seth Owens and Gradi Milenge have done so well and they are going to start,” said Chris.
“I got my break when Tom Field was injured and I think I have done well since I was put back in the side.
“You have to be patient because as long as the team are doing well they are not necessarily going to change it.
“When they do change it you have to prove that you should have been starting all season and it is a good incentive to prove them wrong.
“It is not nice watching your team from the bench but when you do get the nod you need to secure your place.
“I think it will be a really good week of training and everybody will be up for it and at it trying to prove that they deserve to start.”