An impressive 90-minute performance saw Brentford Under-18s secure a 5-2 win over QPR Under-18s on Friday afternoon.
First half goals from Aidan Golding and Michael McSorley got the young Bees off to a flyer in the Professional Development League clash. Two second half goals by McSorley and one from Emeka Peters ensured the dominant performance was rewarded with a big result.
The game started fast, both teams firing early shots that threatened to take the lead.
Philip Sanyaolu broke down the left for QPR inside the opening minute, his shot going across the face of goal and out of play.
Domeiro Bobb-Semple intercepted a loose pass less than a minute later at the other end of the pitch, immediately playing to Michel Boni whose shot was kept out by Callum Loades in goal for the hosts.
Following a fast start it was Brentford who claimed the early momentum, Lydia Bedford’s side controlling much of the possession.
The breakthrough came on 13 minutes, the ball bouncing around inside the box off a corner before Golding found an inch of space and poked the ball into the back of the net.
The lead doubled on 20 minutes through McSorley, the forward pushing to his left on the edge of the box and firing at goal, putting the ball in the bottom left corner.
⏱️ 20’ GOAL!!!
Michael McSorley’s left foot strike from the edge of the box beats the keeper and finds the bottom left corner
🔵0-2🐝#BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/Cgep3vzb3p
— Brentford Academy (@BrentfordFCPDP) December 20, 2024
As the half hour mark passed the young Bees came close to adding a third goal. Kaya Halil played the ball down the left to Boni who pushed forward and crossed to McSorley in the box. His shot was saved, Bobb-Semple then putting the rebound shot over the bar.
QPR’s best early chance came two minutes later as they found a free header at the back post from a corner, however it sailed over the bar.
In control of the game, the young Bees continued to push forward, their counterattack play proving a threat.
Boni had two chances in added time to further Brentford’s lead at the break, however one went left of the goal and the other was saved, leaving the game at 2-0 when the half-time whistle blew.
Following two early shots at goal by the young Bees, chances were few and far between to start the second half, however Bedford's side remained in control.
Golding nearly added a second goal just after the break, fighting his way past multiple defenders and firing at goal from outside the box, but the ball went high.
Peters came close to finding his first goal of the afternoon soon after, however it was well kept out by Loades.
The hour mark passed and while Brentford hadn't found their third goal yet, the young Bees remained on top. On 63 minutes Konstantin Ivanov played into Peters who set Ivanov again, the defender free to run at goal and shoot, however it was kept out by Loades.
The breakthrough came a minute later as McSorley found the back of the net for his second goal of the afternoon, putting Brentford in a commanding position.
The young Bees didn't have to wait long for another, Peters going at his defender one-on-one and firing at goal from the left side of the box and scoring to make it 4-0.
⏱️ 66’ GOAL!!!
Emeka Peters has his first with a brilliant individual effort
🔵0-4🐝#BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/E2JEETI7bS
— Brentford Academy (@BrentfordFCPDP) December 20, 2024
QPR came close to finding an opener on 75 minutes as Sanyaolu crossed from the left side, however Evan Anderson was there to save the ensuing shot and keep the hosts scoreless.
Down the other end, McSorley secured his hat-trick on 79 minutes as he fired a left foot strike into the back of the net from the edge of the box, ensuring a commanding win for the visitors.
QPR managed to pull two goals back in the final 10 minutes of play as they enjoyed a run of momentum, however Bedford's side were able to wrestle it back late to secure three points ahead of the Christmas break.
Bedford praises strong 90-minute performance
Brentford Under-18s head coach Lydia Bedford was rapt with her side's performance in their win over QPR.
The victory sends the young Bees into the Christmas and New Year break with a head of steam as they look towards the second half of the season.