Manchester City came out on top against the Brentford B Team after a hotly contested match at the Etihad Campus on Saturday morning.
Under the watchful eyes of new First Team manager Pep Guardiola, and guided by former Brentford Coach Lee Carsley, City snatched victory with the only goal of the game in the first half.
Goalkeeper Dominic Kurasik was tested in the early stages as the team in sky blue looked for a quick opener. A ball whipped in from the right was flicked on at the near post, forcing the Brentford keeper into a smart save.
The Bees didn't take long to respond. Jarvis Edobor started a move from the back by passing forward to Bradley Clayton. He in turn passed it along to Zain Westbrook and the captain then played it to Kyjuon Marsh-Brown. The first shot was blocked but his follow up went through a crowd of players and was saved low down by the goalkeeper.
City's best chance came after a quarter of an hour, a swift counter attack ending in a one-on-one with Kurasik. The Australian, of Polish descent, managed to get his right hand down to the ball as it was fizzed towards the bottom corner and he touched it wide.
It was nearly The Bees who took the lead from a corner. A lofty cross was sent into the box, Manny Onariase got on the end of it but the powerful nod was blocked on the line.
The hosts scored after 29 minutes. A drilled ball cut through the back four, releasing their left winger down the line. He pushed forwards then fired a low cross into the penalty area, which was swept home at the far post.
The Bees almost equalised moments later, when a shot from one of the trialists took a huge deflection on its way to goal. Adjusting quickly, the City keeper was able to get back across his goal and make a save.
Just before half time, Justin Shaibu had two opportunities to ensure the teams went in level at the break. The first came from Nathan Fox racing down the left and driving the ball at the near post, where Shaibu was waiting to flick the ball on but it was held by the goalkeeper. His second chance appeared soon after when he broke through the back line, was tripped in the penalty area but still managed to steer a shot narrowly wide. Referee Joe Lawton deemed the chance enough to justify not awarding a spot-kick.
Half time saw the introduction of James Ferry to partner Westbrook in the middle. It was his clever pass that opened up the City defence for Marsh-Brown to advance. The first of two quick chances saw the winger hit a shot that was deflected away by the keeper's foot. The second, which was again provided by Ferry, had Marsh-Brown with more space but again faced by a goalkeeper in fine form. His second attempt was also turned away.
After an hour, Flemming Pedersen decided to change things up with a triple substitution. Ellery Balcombe replaced Kurasik between the sticks, Marc Rio came in up front for Shaibu and Clayton was subbed for Danny Parish.
With 71 minutes gone, a goalmouth scramble nearly had Brentford back in the contest. Rio had a shot blocked, then Marsh-Brown tried to find a way through but he disappeared into a crowd and emerged without the ball. Parish nearly took charge with a strike in the confusion but that was also blocked by a defender throwing his body in the way.
With 15 minutes left, Marsh-Brown and Lukas Talbro were swapped for Herson Alves and another trialist, making for a completely changed right wing. On the left side, Fox continued to create chances. His deflected cross in the 77th minute fell to Westbrook on the edge of the box, and the fierce strike that followed was only inches away from finding the top corner.
The final 10 minutes were spent in Manchester City's half as The Bees tried to find a response. Despite several half-chances, nothing came of them and City ran out 1-0 winners.
Brentford B: Dominic Kurasik (sub Ellery Balcombe 64 mins); Lukas Talbro (sub Trialist 75 mins), Manny Onariase, Jarvis Edobor, Nathan Fox; Zain Westbrooke, Trialist (sub James Ferry 45 mins); Kyjuon Marsh-Brown (sub Herson Alves 75 mins), Bradley Clayton (sub Danny Parish 64 mins), Trialist; Justin Shaibu (sub Marc Rio 64 mins)