A goal in each half helped Brentford’s Development Squad pick up their fifth win in their last six outings as Millwall were beaten 2-0.
Emmanuel Oyeleke curled in a superb free kick late in the first period and Luke Norris continued his impressive scoring run with the second inside the final 15 minutes.
Brentford fully merited the win – as they made it 16 points from the last 18 up for grabs in the Under-21 Professional Development League Two South – and could have won by more.
Millwall had a couple of early openings – Antoine Gounet holding a Khari Oregun cross-cum-shot before a Connor Wilkinson effort was blocked – but Brentford had the better of the chances.
They deserved to be ahead at half time and were even more in control after the break.
Millwall goalkeeper Tom Wellham held a Charlie Adams free kick and denied Norris before Alfie Mawson headed wide when well placed.
Wellham made a fine save soon after, rushing out to block at Norris’ feet before a Josh Clarke shot cannoned away to safety off the outside of a post.
The visitors were struggling to cope with Oyeleke and Adams breaking from midfield and with Michael Kamau providing insurance, the duo dominated the game.
Oyeleke headed wide and Aaron Pierre blazed over from close range before an Adams shot was blocked.
Pierre blocked a Wilkinson shot at the other end and Danny Shitia blasted miles over but Brentford were on top.
When an Adams cross was deflected, Wellham could only palm it on to his crossbar and his defence somehow blocked follow-up efforts from Oyeleke and Norris.
Oyeleke shot wide and Norris had a pair of efforts blocked before the opening goal came.
Oyeleke curled a free kick in to the top corner from the left edge of the penalty area – Wellham barely moved but would have had no chance anyway.
The midfield player tried to repeat the trick but missed the target and Millwall tried to find a response before the break.
Aiden O’Brien should have scored from a Danny Newman cross but missed the ball completely and a Wilkinson shot was deflected over.
Gounet had to be alert to deny Wilkinson again before half time and the Brentford goalkeeper made an even better save to prevent Charlie Penny equalising after the break when he latched on to a long ball.
The second half saw fewer openings but Brentford, again, had the better of them.
Norris had a shot blocked and then clipped the top of the crossbar when he had only Wellham to beat.
Oyeleke shot over and Mawson headed wide before Norris missed the target again after good work by Adams.
A Newman shot was blocked and Penny fired a free kick over but Brentford sealed the win with 13 minutes remaining.
Mawson played a quick free kick in behind the Millwall defence and Norris bravely headed it past the onrushing Wellham and in to the net for his fourth in his last five games.
Millwall’s resolve was broken and Mawson could have added a third when he met an Adams corner late on but he nodded wide.
Substitute goalkeeper Joe Taylor was a mere spectator in the later stages as Brentford introduced Courtney Senior from the Under-16 squad and continued to hold the upper hand.
They could not find more goals, but they did not need to.
Brentford Development Squad: Antoine Gounet (sub Joe Taylor 69 mins); Sam Griffiths, Alfie Mawson, Aaron Pierre, Sam Beale; Emmanuel Oyeleke, Michael Kamau (sub Courtney Senior 81 mins); Josh Clarke, Charlie Adams, Leon Redwood; Luke Norris
Subs (not used): Michael Onovwigun, George Pilbeam
Millwall Development Squad: Tom Wellham; Danny Newman, Jake Goodman, Will De Havilland, Mitchell Hunter; Niall McManus, Dylan Richards, Danny Shitia, Khari Oregun (sub Jason Twum 73 mins); Aidan O’Brien (sub Charlie Penny h/t), Connor Wilkinson
Subs (not used): Tom Beadle, Max Fitzgerald
By Chris Wickham