Brentford’s Development Squad battled to a 3-2 win over Cardiff City in the U21 Professional Development League Two. Head Coach Kevin O’Connor was pleased with his side’s hard-fought victory in the rainy conditions at Jersey Road.
“The message before this game was that we wanted to win this one,” said Kevin. “We’ve had some good performances but haven’t got our rewards so today it was important to win that game.”
“Especially with the two conceded where we got drawn back again, to get the winner in injury time was very pleasing.
“We had a couple of senior players at the back which helped us today, so we were in control of the first half. In the second half it opened up a bit and was fairly even.”
Kevin felt the team merited all three points, especially after creating a goal in the sixth minute of the match.
“I thought [the first goal] was superb,” said Kevin. “It was a great ball into Lewis, Courtney’s made a terrific run that we’ve been trying to get him to do and Lewis has seen it and played a ball through to him.
“After that it’s just about the composure because some boys would go for goal, but he’s laid it on to Jan for an open goal.”
Brentford benefitted from a trio of First Team players making an appearance; Lewis Macleod, Yoann Barbet and Jack O’Connell.
“Having two experienced centre-halves really helped us, and helped the midfield when we brought on the two young wingers in Kyjuon Marsh-Brown and Josh Bohui.
“Just having the voice on the pitch is so important, the lads don’t realise how important that is. They heard it a little today with Jack and Yoann. As long as it can continue then they can learn from that and it’s only going to be beneficial.”