Development Squad Manager Jon De Souza said Brentford “failed to stand up to men’s” football in the Middlesex County Senior Charity Cup, which supports the charity Help for Heroes, Final.
The Bees were 2-0 up at half time in the final against Uxbridge as Josh Stockwell scored one and made another, put through his own net by defender Mark Dennison.
But Uxbridge came back strongly in the second half and scored five without reply to take the trophy.
Brentford entered a Development Squad side in the competition against the area’s non-league sides and they overcame Staines Lammas and Hanworth Villa to reach the final.
But a side that included only two professionals – Luke Norris and Charlie Adams – and had three first year scholars in the starting XI came up short in the final.
Jon said his players lost the fight.
“We were relatively comfortable up until half time,” he said.
“They came back in to it a little before half time but I was relatively pleased with the first half.
“Second half was men v boys.
“I told the players they had to be prepared to have a fight, prepared to protect their box because things would get thrown in.
“I don’t think we did that well enough.
“I can deal with conceding from a set piece because we give away a lot in height and size but the other goals were from poor mistakes.
“When you play against a team and you know what their strengths are, you need to stop them.
“We failed to stand up to men’s football today.”
The game was played in a strong wind and driving rain, which intensified as the evening wore on.
It made conditions difficult and Uxbridge were better prepared for them.
Jon said Uxbridge had it right tactically.
He added it was good for a young team to play in a game like that.
“They got their tactics spot on, which is credit to them,” said Jon, speaking to Bees Player after the match.
“The wind played a part.
“They pressed us high up the pitch and stopped us playing out.
“They did that well.
“It was good for our players’ development to deal with that physical side, it happens in First Team football.
“I don’t think we dealt with it.”
Jon said Brentford were on top in the first half and Uxbridge in the second and The Bees lost because they scored fewer in their passage of dominance.
He said it hurt the players to see Uxbridge lift the trophy but it would spur them on.
He added the competition had been good for the young players, giving them experience of knock-out football and evening games.
“We didn’t create too many clear cut chances but were on top in the first half,” said Jon.
“They were on top in the second.
“Ultimately, they managed to score more goals when they were on top than us.
“There is a lot of disappointment in the changing room.
“To see a club lift a trophy in front of you hurts.
“Hopefully it will spur them on.
“The beauty of games like this is you play them at night and you have to win.
“That is different to a league, even though that is also competitive.
“We had to win today.
“That’s great for our players to deal with.
As well as the cup final appearance, Brentford finished fourth in the Under-21 Professional Development League Two South.
When asked to sum up the season, Jon said: “It has been successful but overall, I think we could have done more.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Jon De Souza here.