Brentford Under-21s have climbed to the top of the Professional Development League table following an emphatic 4-0 victory over Bristol City Under-21s at Robins High Performance Centre on Monday afternoon.
In their return to Professional Development League action the young Bees went into half-time ahead thanks to a Max Dickov goal. Ethan Laidlaw added a goal after the break, substitute Iwan Morgan then scoring a brace to lock away all three points and a fifth-straight win.
While dominant for majority of the game, a sloppy start saw Brentford on the back foot as the home side forced a handful of mistakes by the young Bees’ backline.
A counterattack on 15 minutes helped Neil MacFarlane’s side claw back momentum, however. Dickov took possession off a Bristol corner and played immediately to Riley Owen down the left. The midfielder played the ball through to a breaking Kyreece Lisbie who was through on goal, however a diving effort by Bristol goalkeeper Joe Duncan saw him effect the ball and help the danger be cleared.
Less than a minute later it was Lisbie close to the opener again. Vonnte Williams pushed into the left side of the box and crossed to the back post, Lisbie there to meet it, however he cannoned the ball into the post.
Laidlaw was proving a nuisance up front, his press on the Bristol backline helping the young Bees keep the pressure on their opponents. Laidlaw had two shots in quick succession, however both were secured by Duncan diving to his left.
Brentford’s press ensured they continued to dominate possession across the opening half, their counterattack play causing issues too. On 40 minutes Lisbie pushed down the right side and was assisted by Chanse Headman with overlap run, the ensuing cross met by Laidlaw whose header was saved.
Reward came a minute later for the visitors as Dickov looked to cross the ball from the left, the ball getting caught in the wind and dragged towards goal, eventually lobbing Duncan and landing in the back of the net to give the young Bees a deserved lead going into the break.
Brentford continued their momentum into the start of the second half and doubled their lead on the hour mark.
Trialist Dylan Jones was taken down inside the box, the referee immediately pointing to the spot. Laidlaw stepped up and scored, making it three goals in four games to continue a rich run of form for the forward.
⏱️ 60' GOAL!!!
Ethan Laidlaw steps up to the spot and puts it home to double our lead
🔴0-2🐝#BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/PEBVHSSmUW
— Brentford Academy (@BrentfordFCPDP) December 9, 2024
Jones continued to be a threat up front, the trialist smartly keeping the ball in and pushing forward on 66 minutes, playing to Morgan who fired at goal, however it was tipped over the bar by Duncan.
The scoreline reflected the state of the game as the second half progressed, MacFarlane’s side in control of the contest.
They found a third goal on 82 minutes through a second penalty. Tony Yogane was brought down inside the box, the referee pointing to the spot. Morgan stepped up and scored his first of the afternoon to make it 3-0.
He added a second soon after as full-time approached. Dickov played through to Morgan, the forward moving to his left and firing at goal, the ball racing to the bottom left corner and putting an exclamation point on another win.
Bristol City U21s: Duncan, Rowe, Rose, James, Campbell-Slowey, Ali, Backwell, Meerholz, Thomas, Churchley, Phillips
Subs: Hewlett, Godden, Ababio, Bak
Brentford U21s: Rose, Holland (Avenell, HT), Dickov, Williams, Stephenson (Yogane, HT), Headman, Lisbie, Grey, Jones (Redhead, 76’), Owen (Morgan, 61’), Laidlaw (Booth, 83’)