Brentford FC
·18 January 2025
Brentford FC
·18 January 2025
The clash started at a pace that didn’t let up during the first half, both sides playing attacking football in an end-to-end contest.
As the 10-minute mark approached, an Otis Honor corner fell near the goal line, with Ollie Shield and Matas Klimas both trying to put the ball in the back of the net amongst a clutter of bodies, before it was cleared away.
Trialist Jovan Kasujja made a beautiful move as he attacked his defender one-on-one eight minutes later, clearing space to launch a shot goalward, however it was saved by Sam Seager in goal for Swansea.
Shield led the way down the right side across the first half, his defending and ensuing attacking run providing the young Bees with plenty on both sides of the ball. He provided more of that on 19 minutes, however his shot was kept out of the top corner by Seager.
While the game continued at a fast pace up and down the pitch, chances on goal were few and far between. Shield launched two shots from the edge of the box as some space opened up, however they were both blocked and cleared.
The visitors best chance of the opening half came on 31 minutes as Aidan Higgins broke into the right side of the box and fired at goal, however it was straight to the safe hands of Connor Wolfheimer in goal for Brentford.
Michel Boni suffered the same fate on 38 minutes as his shot was directed at Seager.
As half-time approached it was Swansea who enjoyed the last chance on goal, however Wolfheimer stood tall to make a strong save.
The Brentford goalkeeper was called into action soon after the second half got under way as Harlan Perry’s shot headed his way, however he secured the ball diving to his right.
As it had done in the first half, the game continued to be played at a fast pace in the second half. Swansea came close to taking the lead on 63 minutes as Kiel Higginson crossed from the right side, however Harvey Gray put the shot over the bar.
Six minutes later it was Brentford who got reward for effort on the counterattack. Aidan Golding won the ball back in the young Bees’ half and immediately played it to Emeka Peters down the left side. Peters pushed forward strongly and crossed to the back post, finding Giscombe who headed it home to make it 1-0.
Captain for the afternoon, Matas Klimas came close to adding a second for Brentford from a corner, however his header was just wide.
As the second half inched closer to full-time, Swansea continued to build the pressure as they searched for an equaliser.
Wolfheimer was called into action on 85 minutes and made a strong save diving to his left. He was forced far out of his goal minutes later, clearing the ball away under the pressure of Swansea’s forwards.
The hosts’ defensive efforts were enough as the referee blew full-time, Brentford securing three points to kick-off the new year.
Brentford U18s: Wolfheimer, Shield (Powis, 60’), Ivanov, Golding, Klimas, Honor, Giscombe (Bobb-Semple, 70’), McSorley, Boni (Peters, 60’), Poliakov, Kasujja (Bentt, 70’)
Subs not used: Anderson
Swansea City U18s: Seager, Clarke, Williams, Robinson, Popham, Phillips, Higgins, Perry, Gray, Evans, Thomas
Subs: Higginson, Wright, Ojetoro, Heywood, Jones
Jon-Paul Pittman praised the defensive work of the Brentford Under-18s following Saturday afternoon's 1-0 win over Swansea City.
The win made it back-to-back league wins for Brentford and three wins in four games across all competitions.