Brentford Development Squad Manager Jon De Souza hailed his young team’s work rate, attitude and application as they beat Cardiff City yesterday afternoon.
But he added it was their quality that won them the game.
The Bees won 2-0 at Griffin Park thanks to goals from Aaron Green, a trialist on the books of Chelmsford City, and Joe Maloney.
Brentford started with two more trialists – Mark Smith, from Queens Park Rangers, and Joe Ward, also from Chelmsford – and all three still qualify for Youth Team, Under-18, football.
The Bees line-up also included Lionel Stone, Kojo Awotwi, a winger playing at right back, and Montell Moore from their own Youth Team as well as Gradi Milenge, who is in the Under-17 group, and all four named substitutes were from the Under-18 squad.
Cardiff, who are top of the Under-21 Professional Development League Two South table, had Norwegian international Magnus Eikrem in their line-up as well as a smattering of Welsh youth internationals.
But Jon said it was Brentford who produced the moments of quality in the game.
Brentford had lost their last three games – to Charlton Athletic, Bristol City and Millwall – after leading at half time and Jon said he was pleased that his players were learning to win.
“They had a First Team player worth a couple of million quid, they were a lot older than us and they are top of the league,” said Jon, speaking to Bees Player after the match.
“We were very young.
“But I told the players they have to work hard, match or exceed them for work rate, application and attitude and see how good they are with their quality.
“We did that.
“The game did not have much quality but the little bits came from us and that is where we won the game.
“The players are pleased.
“We have lost the past three games but deserved to get something out of them.
“We spoke about learning to win.
“We want to produce players and develop but we have to learn to win.
“That is First Team football.
“I am pleased they took that on board and I didn’t feel we were ever in danger of losing.”
After the three defeats, Jon said he had a meeting with the players and collectively they had come up with ways to stop it happenings again.
He said he was pleased they put it in to practice.
While Cardiff had chances, Mark Smith did not make too many saves.
Brentford scored their first when Josh Clarke got down the right and his cross was smashed against his own crossbar by Josh Yorwerth, Aaron Green lashed in the loose ball.
Joe Maloney made it safe after half time, scoring from 20 yards.
“Hopefully the players are learning,” said Jon.
“We do work in the classroom and we discussed why we had lost games in the second half recently.
“We did that for around two hours and the players came out with lots of ideas.
“The most pleasing thing is that they put it in to practice.
“We didn’t do anything differently, I think our mentality was different and we put in to practice what we had talked about.
“We worked hard on the training pitch but we always do that.
“Cardiff had a couple of chances, we scored with ours.
“We have created half chances and taken them.”
As well as trialist goalkeeper Mark Smith, Brentford’s defence included a Youth Team winger at right back, Kojo Awotwi, a Youth Team central defender at left back, Lionel Stone, and Under-17 Gradi Milenge.
Raphaël Calvet, 20, was the experienced man in the back line.
“I asked the defence to do things properly,” said Jon.
“If they try their hardest that is enough.
“I told them to trust themselves and I wanted them to be together, if they got it wrong together I’d be OK with that.
“I felt they helped each other through the game and worked hard.
“That is what Development Squad football is about.
“We have Under-21 players playing First Team football and now there is a chance for some Under-18s to step up.
“Their attitude was first class.”
Jon updated on the trialists.
“Mark has been with the First Team, we will look at him further,” he said.
“Joe and Aaron have been training with us.
“They are under contract with Chelmsford and we will have to discuss where we go with that.”
Last week Charlie Adams was promoted from the Development Squad to a First Team contract.
“I have worked with Charlie for nearly three years,” added Jon.
“I am delighted for him.
“Every day he comes in to be better and he has developed in to a good footballer.
“This is the first part for him.
“It is great for our dressing room.
“They have seen another player break through.
“My job is to get as many players as possible in to that First Team dressing room.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Jon De Souza here.