Brentford U18s 2 Southampton U18s 4 | OneFootball

Despite scoring the opening goal, Brentford Under-18s were defeated 4-2 by Southampton Under-18s on Wednesday evening.

A Kaya Halil strike gave the young Bees an early lead, however they found themselves down 3-1 midway through the second half. A Michael McSorley goal gave Brentford some hope late in the second 45 minutes, but a quick answer saw Southampton secure the friendly win.

Lydia Bedford’s side started the better of the two teams, the young Bees’ crisp passing helping them to get in behind Southampton.

Andre Grey had the best chance on goal inside the opening 15 minutes after the ball fell to him just outside the box, however his strike was saved by Henry Upstell in goal for Southampton.

Halil wasted little time getting the young Bees back on the attack, his strong strike from the edge of the box finding the back of the net to give Bedford’s side an early lead.

The young Bees continued to be the better of the two sides as the first half progressed. Adam Poliakov led one of many Brentford attacks down the pitch on 23 minutes, his eventual shot from outside the box saved by Upstell.

Despite the home side’s dominance across the opening 30 minutes, Southampton found an equaliser through James Martin on 32 minutes, his run rewarded which drew Connor Wolfheimer out of his goal, Martin then finding the back of the net.

Brook Myers nearly gave the visitors the lead two minutes later, however it was well saved by Wolfheimer.

As the first half drew to a close, Southampton continued to flip the momentum, eventually earning the lead on 41 minutes. A slick cross to Prince Ehibhatiomhan on the left side of the box saw him walk into an open shot, which he put into the bottom right corner to make it 2-1.

There was nearly a third added to the young Saints’ tally on 44 minutes, however Myers' shot was saved by Wolfheimer.

Southampton started the better of the two sides as the second half got under way, however Brentford provided strong defence to prevent any scoreboard damage.

While both teams enjoyed some attacking plays, it was Brentford who had the best chance to score inside the opening 15 minutes. Kerron Samuels’ superb through ball found a breaking McSorley, which led to multiple attempts on goal from the young Bees, however they were all defended away.

It wasn’t until the 71st minute that either side earned a serious chance on goal. Brilliant individual play from Myers saw him work towards a dangerous spot in the box, his ball finding Pitts who scored from close range to make it 3-1.

Despite the score, Brentford continued to press for a second goal, which they found through McSorley on 82 minutes. Halil’s initial shot was blocked, however it fell to McSorley who found the back of the net to make it 3-2.

The thrill was short lived, Southampton answering through Joe Andrews on 85 minutes to make it 4-2 just before the full-time whistle.

Brentford U18s: Wolfheimer, Shield, Ivanov (Taylor 54), Samuels, Klimas, Grey (Agyei 54), Peters (Annous 54), Poliakov, McSorley, Halil, Bennison (Payet 72)

Subs not used: Djoro, Francis, Anderson

Southampton U18s: Upstell, Evans, Hewlett, Matthews, Sheaf, Andrews, Myers, Martin, Pitts, Lett, Ehibhatiomhan

Subs: Dibaga, Jeanes, Meyers

Bedford pleased with young Bees' development across the season

Brentford Under-18s head coach Lydia Bedford praised her side for their continual development following a competitive clash with Southampton Under-18s.

The two sides faced off in October 2023, Bedford highlighting the clear improvement in the young Bees between then and now.

"We obviously played them back in October and they [Southampton] were full of praise as to how much our boys have come on, particularly in possession," said Bedford.

"Back then we played a 5-3-2 because we knew that we were going to have to defend for our lives, whereas today we actually outplayed them a few times which is really good to see.

"I think the confidence we've built in the 4-3-3 was really evident in the opening phase of the game."