Alfie Mawson said it was good for Brentford’s Development Squad to kick off their competitive 2013/14 season with three points.
The Bees beat Bristol City 2-1 in an Under-21 Professional Development League Two South match yesterday afternoon.
Paul Hayes scored twice, the second a last minute winner, as The Bees picked up the points.
Alfie, speaking to Bees Player after the match, said Brentford put in to action lots of their pre-season work and had good fitness.
He admitted it was not a perfect performance and said he was disappointed to concede the penalty that gave Bristol City an equaliser but it was good overall.
“I thought it was a very good test,” said the central defender.
“I think we did well, we rose to the challenge.
“The first game of the season is always one where you need to put in to action what you have done in pre-season.
“The fitness was good.
“We died out a bit in the second half but that was because we played at such a high tempo.
“We got a bit sloppy but overall it was good to get three points.
“There will be lulls in any performance.
“There will always be mistakes, I had a nightmare and gave away a penalty.
“Hopefully we’ll iron that out through the season.”
Alfie played in a three-man central defence with Ben Nugent and Aaron Pierre.
He said it was a role that presented different challenges to playing in a back four but he enjoyed it.
“It was something different,” he said.
“We enjoyed playing it.
“We got loads of time on the ball and had to use it.
“I thought it worked quite well, they didn’t really get in behind or down the sides.
“It’s an alternative if we have these players available.
“My role was between playing as a right centre back and a right back.
“It was good to do that role.
“You have to watch the man in behind.
“It tests you and we did alright with it.”
Alfie said he had enjoyed pre-season and he spent the summer putting a “nightmare” 2012/13 behind him.
The central defender picked up a few injuries last term and although he spent time on loan at Maidenhead United he did not play many games for either The Bees or the Conference South club.
He said he feels better than ever and was ready for the biggest season of his career so far.
“Pre-season has been very tiring but really enjoyable,” he said.
“It has been good.
“Last season was a nightmare.
“I spent the summer trying to forget about it.
“My loan move was alright but it was an average season.
“I have worked harder than ever in the off-season.
“Hopefully that is showing now.
“I feel better than ever.
“This season is the biggest of my life.
“I am in to the last year of my contract and I have to fight for a new one.
“I am looking forward to it.
“Hopefully there will be positives and I can get around the First Team or a good loan move.”
A full post-match interview with Alfie Mawson is available here for Bees Player subscribers.