Young Bees return for pre-season
Having seen their 2019/20 campaign curtailed early due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was a later start to the 2020/21 season for the side, who played their first match in August.
Hanwell Town 3 Brentford B 2- 22 August 2020
Always a tough test, Hanwell were the opponents in late August as the B Team got their first minutes under their belts. Two goals from the hosts put them in front in the first half as they led 2-0. Goals from Aaron Pressley and Gustav Mogensen made it 2-2 but another Town goal midway through the second period saw to it that the non-league side claimed the win.
Brentford B 6 Erith Town 3- 26 August 2020
This match will go down in history as the last ever match to be played at Griffin Park. With the previous season curtailed early, this meant the side were unable to continue their run in the London Senior Cup, however the decision was made to finish off the competition from the 2019/20 season where the young Bees had reached the Semi-Final. It was game that the side won convincingly against Erith Town with goals from Alex Gilbert (2), Aaron Pressley and Gustav Mogensen (3) to set up a Final against Hendon FC.
Swindon Town 2 Brentford B 1- 29 August 2020
A test against another senior side was next for the young group as they faced Swindon at the County Ground. Joe Adams put the side ahead with a wonderful individual effort but Hallam Hope and Scott Twine ensured that Town would claim the pre-season win.
September-November: Impressive win over Palace and Cup Final disappointment
Crystal Palace 0 Brentford B 1- 8 September 2020
The first match of September was arguably one of the most eye-catching results of the season as a young side claimed a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace- which featured a strong side with lots of experience. Brentford could call upon Shandon Baptiste, Halil Dervişoğlu and Marcus Forss whilst Luka Milivojević, James McCarthy and Martin Kelly all turned out for The Eagles. The only goal of the game came through Aaron Pressley, who continued his impressive start to the season when he fired home at the far post late in the game to give Neil MacFarlane’s side a 1-0 win.
Hendon 1 Brentford B 0- 14 September 2020
The London Senior Cup Final from the previous season was able to take place on 14 September at The Powerday Stadium but it was a disappointing night for the young players as they were beaten 1-0 by Hendon. Despite creating a host of chances they were unable to capitalise and a late penalty from Shaun Lucien gave Hendon the trophy.
Bromley 4 Brentford B 1- 3 October 2020
Goals from Michael Cheek, Kory Roberts, Ben Williamson and James Alabi earned the home side the win, with Julien Carre netting the solitary Brentford goal. The match was a valuable learning experience for the side as they came up against a physically impressive Bromley side from the National League.
Aldershot Town 3 Brentford B 2- 10 October 2020
One week later it was another National League test for the side as the young Bees headed to Aldershot for a behind closed doors match. Two goals from Mo Bettamer and one from Alfy Whittingham gave the hosts the win whilst a Trialist and Aaron Pressley got the Brentford goals. Neil MacFarlane had new First Team recruit Vitaly Janelt involved from the start with the German getting his first taste of action since joining the Club.
Hendon 2 Brentford B 6- 20 October 2020
In a strange quirk of fate, the 2020/21 London Senior Cup campaign started for The Bees against Hendon, who had just beaten them in the previous season’s competition less than a month prior. This time the side put in a ruthless display as they claimed a 6-2 win on the road. Joe Adams netted inside five minutes and the impressive Valgeir Valgeirsson scored on his debut before Alex Gilbert, Aaron Pressley and Lewis Gordon got in on the action before the Icelandic midfielder grabbed his second to cap off an impressive start to life with the Bees.
Brentford B 1 Aldershot Town 0- 30 October 2020
Jersey Road was the setting as the young Bees took on Aldershot once again. It was a performance where the learning from their previous encounter was evident. The only goal of the game came from Ryan Trevitt as he headed home an expert cross from Aaron Pressley to give the side the win.
November-January: Mixed results as Bees continue development
Brentford B 4 Leicester City U23 1- 3 November 2020
The Foxes were next to visit West London as goals from a Brentford Trialist, as well as Aaron Pressley and two from substitute Valgeir Valgeirsson gave the young Bees the victory as they turned out an impressive display. Ellery Balcombe was also in excellent form, saving a first half penalty for Neil MacFarlane’s team. Match Report Maidenhead United 1 Brentford B 1- 7 November 2020 The side picked up a hard fought 1-1 draw away from home against Maidenhead at York Road. Danilo Orsi put the home side ahead midway through the second period, but Neil MacFarlane’s Bees battled back with an equaliser late on through Ryan Trevitt. Lachlan Brook thought he’d won it with the last kick of the game, but for the offside flag.
Chelsea U23 2 Brentford B 1- 12 November 2020
A performance with a number of positives wasn’t enough for Brentford B as they fell to a 2-1 defeat away from home against Chelsea Under-23s at Cobham. Goals from Charlie Brown and Thierno Ballo were enough to cancel out Alex Gilbert’s early opener.
Eastleigh 0 Brentford B 3- 20 November 2020
The young Bees were undone by two first half strikes from Dan Bradshaw and Ryan Smith before Tom Blair added a third midway through the second period in Hampshire as the match provided another crucial learning experience against a senior opponent.
Watford U23 1 Brentford B 3- 24 November 2020
Brentford B bounced back from the defeat to Eastleigh with a 3-1 win over Watford’s Under-23s at Clarence Park. The young Bees claimed the win with two goals from Max Haygarth, whilst Alex Gilbert notched the other as the side looked impressive on the day.
Arsenal U23 0 Brentford B 1- 3 December 2020
The young Bees had Luke Daniels, Dom Thompson and Saman Ghoddos to call upon as they headed to London Colney to face Arsenal. Saman got the game’s only goal in stunning fashion with an effort from distance.
Charlton Athletic U23 0 Brentford B 3- 9 December 2020
Brentford B picked up a 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic Under-23s with goals from Max Haygarth, Alex Gilbert and Joe Adams as the result mades it three wins from three for Neil MacFarlane’s side as they really began to hit their stride moving towards the Christmas period.
Brentford B 3 QPR U23 1- 17 December 2020
The young Bees picked up a 3-1 win over their West London neighbours at Jersey Road. Alex Gilbert notched the first before two Aaron Pressley goals earned the win, whilst Charley Kendall netted a penalty for the away side.
Brentford B 4 Huddersfield Town B 1- 19 December 2020
The B Team rounded off 2020 with an impressive 4-1 win at Jersey Road. They raced ahead in the first half to make it 2-0 through Alex Gilbert and one of the Trialists, before the away side were reduced to 10-men before the break. Wraynel Hercules notched his first for the young Bees in the second period before Joe Adams grabbed the fourth with an impressive effort.
Strong start to 2021
Maidenhead United 0 Brentford B 3- 4 January 2021
2021 started off in style for the side as they headed to York Road to claim a 3-0 win. Two finishes from Aaron Pressley were followed up by a Max Haygarth strike all within the first 20 minutes as Neil MacFarlane’s side impressed in their sixth consecutive win.
Wycombe Wanderers XI 1 Brentford B 0- 26 January 2021
Brentford B fell to their first defeat of the calendar year to an experienced Wycombe Wanderers XI, who claimed a narrow 1-0 win through a late Alex Pattison penalty.
Brentford B 2 Hemel Hempstead Town 0- 30 January 2021
Max Haygarth and one of the Brentford Trialists got the goals at Bisham Abbey in torrential rain throughout the 90 minutes as the young Bees impressed in a fixture they dominated for large parts.
Brentford B 3 Stevenage XI 4- 14 February 2021
The side were on the wrong end of a seven-goal thriller at The Powerday Stadium as a Stevenage XI claimed a 4-3 win. The Bees fought back and produced a spirited display, but some defensive lapses meant a clinical Stevenage side earned the win.
Brentford B 1 Luton Town XI 2- 24 February 2021
Gustav Mogensen had got the side back in the game after they had fallen behind early in the first half, but The Hatters claimed the win following a second half strike on the hour mark.
First Team players gain important minutes with young Bees
St Albans City 2 Brentford B 1- 7 March 2021
Christian Nørgaard and Emiliano Marcondes continued their return from injury by playing 80 minutes while Charlie Goode completed a full game as he continued his quest for full fitness after illness for Brentford B in a defeat to St Albans City. The Bees were on the wrong end of a 2-1 defeat to the National League South side but were able to use the contest to get more match time for Nørgaard, Marcondes and Goode among others. Marcus Forss scored the goal for The Bees, but they were unable to complete a comeback after falling 2-0 down thanks to a first half goal and a penalty just past the hour mark.
Forest Green Rovers XI 1 Brentford B 3- 10 March 2021
Brentford B returned to winning ways on the road as they beat a Forest Green Rovers XI 3-1 at the Oakfield Stadium in Wiltshire. An early Aaron Pressley goal gave the side the advantage before Rovers hit back before the break. Two goals shortly after half-time from Gustav Mogensen and Lachlan Brook- his first for The Bees- gave the side a deserved victory on the day.
Brentford B 5 Ebbsfleet United 1- 13 March 2021
Pontus Jansson played 70 minutes for Brentford B as they beat Ebbsfleet United 5-1 in a friendly at Bisham Abbey. The Brentford skipper had been out of action since mid-January following ankle surgery but returned to captain the team to victory. Also in the line-up were First Team regulars Emiliano Marcondes and Charlie Goode.
Chelsea U23 1 Brentford B 2- 17 March 2021
Brentford B picked up an impressive 2-1 win away from home against Chelsea Under-23s as Aaron Pressley and a Trialist grabbed the goals in the second period to confirm the win for the resolute Bees.
Charlton Athletic XI 0 Brentford B 2- 25 March 2021
Aaron Pressley and Wraynel Hercules got the goals as Brentford B recorded an impressive victory over a strong Charlton XI at Sparrows Lane. Hercules’ goal was a special strike from distance as he grabbed his second for the Club.
Pressley heroics sees Bees beat Gunners
Brentford B 3 Arsenal U23 2- 4 April 2021
An 89th minute Aaron Pressley strike secured Brentford B a 3-2 win over Arsenal Under-23s at Bisham Abbey on Easter Sunday. The young forward, who had found the net earlier on from the penalty spot, struck late following a Brentford corner to give Neil MacFarlane’s side the win as Folarin Balogun found the net on two occasions for The Gunners.
Brentford B 2 Sheffield United U23s 2- 7 April 2021
Brentford B drew 2-2 with Sheffield United Under-23s at Bisham Abbey. Aaron Pressley and Ryan Trevitt had given the side a 2-0 advantage going into the break, but the opposition battled back to earn a draw with two second half strikes.
Brentford B 2 Cambridge United XI 1- 13 April 2021
Brentford B made it seven matches unbeaten as they came from behind to beat a Cambridge United XI 2-1 at St Neots Town. Two Joe Adams strikes gave the side the win in a match they dominated for large parts.
Brentford B 3 Ebbsfleet United 1- 21 April 2021
Brentford B claimed their eighth match unbeaten with a 3-1 win over Ebbsfleet United at The Powerday Stadium. Goals from Aaron Pressley, Alex Gilbert and Joe Adams gave the side the win in a match they dominated.
Brentford B 1 Chelmsford City XI 0- 28 April 2021
Mads Bidstrup’s first goal for the Club was the difference as he hit a thunderous effort on the hour mark to secure the win over Chelmsford.
Salford City 2 Brentford B 0- 4 May 2021
Brentford B’s fantastic run of results came to an end as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Salford City at The Peninsula Stadium. There were a number of changes among the side, including 10 Trialists involved in the match day squad, in a game where Salford dominated in terms of chances.
Brentford B 0 Eastleigh 0- 10 May 2021
Brentford B picked up a 0-0 draw against National League side Eastleigh at The SkyEx Community Stadium. The young Bees perhaps had the best of the chances, but they were unable to claim the win against a resolute opponent who made it tough for the side.