Brentford Under 18's IMG Boys Invitational Cup campaign got off to the worst possible start as they were beaten 3-0 by Stevenage on Wednesday evening.
On a hard bobbly pitch, which made it very difficult for The Bees to play their brand of football, Stevenage took the lead inside 100 seconds through Louis Yamfam.
Yamfam added a second before half-time before Matty Smyth wrapped up the points early on in the second-half.
The Bees rallied after going 3-0 down and created countless chances but couldn't break through a resilient Borough backline.
Stevenage's goalkeeper made two excellent saves to deny Josh Bohui and Bradley Clayton, Reece Cole saw a deflected free-kick whistle just over the bar and Herson Rodriques Alves headed wide at the back post from close range.
As it was there was no way through for The Bees meaning a losing start to the IMG Cup.
Jon De Souza's side don't have long to wait for their next action as they take on Black Rock FC at 8pm US time, 1am UK time tonight.
That game can be seen live
Speaking after the match Academy Director Ose Aibangee felt his players had underestimated their opposition and had been punished for it.
"It was not a good day at the office," said Ose.
"We underestimated Stevenage and the pitch and tried to play a game that wasn’t on.
"Stevenage adapted to conditions better and by the time we adapted to them we were 2-0 down.
"Second-half we were much better and created so many half and quarter chances but we couldn’t take them.
"We will have to do very well now to reach the final.
"We have another game tonight so we have already begun preparing for that.
"The boys have had their ice baths and we will have something to eat, a meeting then the boys will go to bed.
"Thursday they will have breakfast, do some stretching to loosen up and then we are straight back into preparing for another game."