Brentford U18s 3 Bouremouth U18s 2

Brentford picked up a 3-2 win over Bournemouth in the Professional Development League on Saturday at Wheatsheaf Park.

The young Bees put on a strong first half display which saw the side go into the break with a two-goal lead thanks to strikes from Adam Poliakov and Luka Bentt. Bournemouth reacted well to score early in the second half, but an Emeka Peters goal ensured the three points for Brentford.

The hosts got off to a good start with Bentt having a good opportunity fall his way inside the opening 10 minutes.

The move started after Poliakov was played in behind the Bournemouth defence on the right flank with his cut back cross finding Bentt whose first time effort went just wide.

Bentt saw another good chance come his way on 20 minutes, this time it was Naeem Giscombe who supplied the cut back cross, but Bentt’s header didn’t trouble the visitors keeper.

Bournemouth did have some good spells in the first half and nearly took the lead just before the half hour mark only for a Conor Wolfheimer save denying Tommy Whitehead shot.

Bentt was picking up some great spaces for Brentford in attacking areas with the midfielder once again seeing a chance come his way.

The 17-year-old got on the end of another cut back this time his shot forcing a great save out of Kai Crampton.

Brentford had to be patient for a deserved goal, but it eventually came on 39 minutes after Peters broke through the Bournemouth defence, the forward was unselfish as he passed to Poliakov who was able to tap the ball home into an empty net.

The hosts went into the break two goals up with Poliakov involved in Brentford’s second of the game moments before half-time.

This time his cut back pass to Bentt was rewarded with a goal as the midfielder finally beat the Bournemouth keeper with a great finish.

Bournemouth had to start the second half well and they did exactly that as they pulled one back on 49 minutes.

Whitehead was at the back post to get of the end of a good cross from George Chubinidze.

Their hopes of a comeback were short lived though as Peters extended Brentford’s lead again just two minutes later with a pinpoint finish from outside the box.

Bournemouth worked the ball well at times in the second half and were rewarded for another goal, this time it was striker Josh Salmon who found the net.

Brentford were forced to deal with spells of adversity as the visitors put on pressure in search of an equaliser.

The young Bees could have put the game to bed on 85 minutes when Peters led a counter attack but his cross flew across the six yard box without a touch.

Despite Bournemouth’s late pressure the hosts were able to see out their lead securing the three points.

Brentford Under18s: Wolfheimer, Payet, Ouattara (Taylor,45’), Klimas, Golding (Powis, 64’), Honor, Giscombe, Bentt (Trialist, 45’), McSorley (Trialist, 69’), Poliakov, Peters

Subs: Anderson

Bournemouth Under18s: Crampton, Webb, Parkes, Stuckey, Ali, Minchev, Whitehead, Sills, Salmon, Stevens, Chubinidze

Subs: Waite, Dixon, Spence, Purches

Jon-Paul Pittman proud of his side

Reflecting on the game, Brentford Under-18s head coach Jon-Paul Pittman said he was proud of his side’s efforts.

“It got a little edgy towards the end after doing so well to go two goals up in the first half, just as we were getting to a stage where Bournemouth were starting to throw more numbers forward, we managed to come through it and I was really proud of the lads," said Pittman.

“The timing of our goals was really important, but I defiantly enjoyed the first half more as I felt that was when we were most dominant.

“We only have two players injured currently so there is going to be a lot of rotation, the non-playing group had the option to come today which most of them did so that’s fantastic.”