James Ferry’s stunning strike for Brentford’s Under-18s saw them secure a creditable 1-1 draw away at Hampton and Richmond Borough in tonight’s friendly at The Beveree.
The Brentford side, with an average age of 17, were more than a match for their Ryman Premier League opponents.
Ferry gave The Bees the lead in the 13th minute with a curling left-footed effort that nestled in the top corner from the edge of the box.
The hosts levelled just before the break through Frantz Tchongang but neither side could find a winner in an end to end second period.
Jon De Souza handed first starts of the year to Romayn Pennant at left back and Tony Guppy in the centre of midfield.
On a very heavy pitch that cut up from the off The Bees dominated possession in the opening stages but it was Hampton, with their more direct style, who created the early chances.
James Richmond’s deep cross found its way back to George Wells but Nik Tzanev reacted well to re-adjust his feet and claw the shot away.
Brentford created one early chance of note as a well worked move ended up with Jeremiah Kamanzi running in behind but on loan Brentford goalkeeper Mark Smith showed the form that has been earning him rave reviews at The Beveree, turning the shot away.
Audrius Laucys made a vital challenge after Tzanev had lost out to Wells and the keeper was called into action again to deny James Simmonds from long range.
Breaking from that Tzanev save The Bees could have taken the lead but Bradley Clayton hit the side netting from 10 yards.
Jon De Souza’s side only had to wait a further three minutes to take the lead as Ferry curled an unstoppable left-footed shot into the top corner from 25 yards.
Even at this early stage of proceedings the pitch was far from ideal for Brentford’s passing style and both sides were finding it difficult to retain possession.
The pitch was far better on the flanks and that is where the hosts were focussing their attacks, trying in particular to use the pace of Jerome Federico on the right-hand side.
Tzanev made another fine save to divert Jamie Calvin’s shot wide from Federico's whipped cross before Tom Jelley drove at The Bees backline before pulling a shot wide.
Westbrooke lashed a shot wildly off target and Saheed Sankoh curled just over as the teams continued to exchange chances.
Clayton, who has six goals in his last five league games, turned smartly only to be denied by Richmond while Tzanev was not to be outdone at the other end as he and Simmonds continued their personal duel – the goalkeeper again coming out on top producing a smart save.
Wells ambitious lob flew narrowly over the bar before The Beavers did eventually find a way past Brentford’s young goalkeeper.
Tzanev did well to tip Simmonds long range shot over the bar but from the corner Sankoh headed towards goal and it hit Tchongang who had enough time to turn and fire home from close range.
Having trailed for most of the half Alan Dowson’s side could have gone in ahead but Tzanev again did well to claw away a curling free kick from just outside the box.
Jon De Souza made seven changes at half time with only Tzanev, Westbrooke, Makhosini Khanye and Kamanzi remaining on the pitch.
It was the home side who started the brighter in the second 45 as Ben Osman crashed an effort against the bar from 18 yards and Calvin headed straight into the arms of Tzanev, unmarked, from 10 yards.
Good interplay between Tom Field and Westbrooke culminated in Khanye’s shot being acrobatically turned round the post by Smith.
Tzanev got down well to deny Calvin and then on the rebound Tom Collins shot straight into the arms of the grateful goalkeeper.
Next to be denied by Tzanev was Paris Mason but the game started to turn in Brentford’s favour as the half wore on.
Under-16 Giovanni McGregor was introduced and his direct running caused problems for the hosts.
Reece Cole shot straight into Smith’s arms and McGregor’s purposeful run through the midfield saw him shoot over.
The Bees had their opponents hemmed into their own penalty area for much of the closing stages and could have won it late on but Field’s shot was well blocked and then with the final kick of the game Cole’s effort was safely gathered by Smith.
Hampton and Richmond Borough: Mark Smith; James Richmond (sub Marcus Johnson-Schuster 46 mins), Kieron Murphy, James Simmonds, Tom Jelley; Jerome Federico (sub Paris Mason 46 mins), Frantz Tchonang, Jake Rose (sub Ben Osman 46 mins), George Wells; Saheed Sankoh, Jamie Calvin (sub Tom Collins 46 mins)
Brentford XI (First Half): Nik Tzanev; Audrius Laucys, Kieron Morris, Gradi Milenge, Romayn Pennant; Jeremiah Kamanzi, James Ferry, Tony Guppy, Makhosini Khanye; Zain Westbrooke; Bradley Clayton
Brentford XI (Second Half): Nik Tzanev; Tom Field, Seth Owens, Harry Ascroft, Chris Mepham; Reece Cole, Zain Westbrooke (sub Giovanni McGregor 61 mins), Herson Rodrigues Alves; Kingsley Eshun, Jeremiah Kamanzi, Makhosini Khanye