Brentford U21s 4 Bristol City U21s 3: Rico Henry completes 45 minutes in Gtech thriller | OneFootball

Brentford Under-21s were involved in a pulsating game at Gtech Community Stadium, beating Bristol City 4-3.

Goals from Ethan Brierley, Iwan Morgan, Romelle Donovan and Andre Grey gave the Bees the victory. Full-back Rico Henry completed 45 minutes.

Sam Saunders took charge of the young Bees in the absence of Neil MacFarlane.

Brentford were the side on top as the first five minutes saw the away side retreat into a low block.

On seven minutes, Romelle Donovan broke clear of the Robins' defence and in his attempt to round Jose Casa Grande in the Bristol City net, he was fouled. Fortunately for the away side, the referee only gave him a yellow.

Despite the early warning signs and completely against the run of play, Bristol City scored the opener through Jack Griffin who caressed an effort past Reggie Rose.

Brierley went close to levelling as he struck from the edge of the box after a good pass from Donovan but he dragged his shot wide.

Henry was next to go close, using his speed to beat his marker, but even though his shot cleared the keeper it just missed the target.

The young Bees were in firm control of the contest and Riley Owen's marauding run through the centre of the pitch led to a great shot from the midfielder which whistled past the post.

A slick team move saw Owen burst into the box and after good control from the young Bee, he was fouled in the box with the referee awarding the home side with a penalty. Brierley on 27 minutes stepped up and firmly dispatched from 12 yards out.

Brentford began the second period as they did the first and on 48 minutes, Isaac Holland's acrobatic flick caught out Grande but agonisingly went over the bar.

The chances were coming thick and fast and Brierley shot from distance but Grande tipped it over the bar.

The goal eventually came for the side from west London and it was Morgan who found the net, striking from the edge of the box to give his team the lead.

The home side were relentless and Donovan struck the post with a fierce shot from just inside the area.

In similar fashion to their first goal, against the run of play, the away side scored their second as Tom Chaplin dropped a shoulder which deceived his marker and tucked away past the goalkeeper.

A poor pass out of the back allowed the Robins to take the lead as Griffin tapped into the net after a Kai Churchley pass.

The tide of the game turned in favour of Bristol City as the Bees became loose in their passes.

Donovan with two minutes to go though had a deflected effort from distance which looped in over the keeper and levelled the scores yet again.

Donovan created another chance as his driven cross fell to Morgan but a last-ditch tackle diverted his shot over the bar.

The winner came with the last kick of the game. Donovan beat his man on the left wing and delivered a great cross for Grey who composed himself and finished in emphatic fashion.

That was how the game would end as the west London side made it four wins on the bounce in the Professional Development League.

The Bees are next in action on Tuesday 25 March as they take on Bournemouth Under-21s away from home.

Kick-off for that game next week is scheduled for 1pm.

Brentford: Rose, Avenell, Stephenson, Arthur, Henry (Williams 46), Owen, Holland (Grey 69), Brierley (c), Morgan, Wilcox (Dickov 69), Donovan

Unused subs: Krauhaus, Headman

Booked: Donovan 41

Bristol City: Grande, AP-Sion (Anderson 64), Churchley, James, Arroyo, Gibbs, Sheppard, Meerholz (Chaplin 46), Thomas, Phillips, Griffin.

Unused subs: Hogg, Witchard, Davies

Booked: Grande 8, Churchley 38, Sheppard 41