Watford U21s 3 Brentford U21s 1: Boni on target in PDL loss | OneFootball

Brentford Under-21s' two-game Professional Development League winning streak came to an end on Tuesday as they lost 3-1 to Watford Under-21s.

Michel Boni put the west Londoners ahead early in the clash, however two goals in the first half ensured Watford took the lead into the half-time break at UCL Sports Ground. Despite strong attacking moves from Brentford in the second term, the hosts secured all three points with a late third goal.

It was a hot start to the contest as both sides looked to bring the pressure off the ball, the intensity reflective of where both sides sit on the league table.

The young Bees got the ideal start away from home inside 10 minutes, Boni following on from his match-winner last time out with an early goal. Slick build-up from Brentford saw Otis Honor play a neat ball through the Watford backline, Boni running onto it and making no mistake with a powerful strike.

Conor McManus looked to join the party as he found himself free in the box to meet Riley Owen’s corner, but his glancing header sailed over the bar.

The hosts matched the Bees early effort with their best chance on goal on 17 minutes. Finding space in the box, Amin Nabizada’s shot was kept out by Brentford goalkeeper Reggie Rose. Amar Sanghrajka was there to meet the rebound, but his effort went wide of the goal.

Sanghrajka was at it again three minutes later as the ball was set to him near the edge of the box, but his strike was met by the safe hands of Rose who quickly dove low to his right.

Riding a wave of momentum the hosts looked destined to score a minute later as Nabizada pounced on a counterattack, however his shot sailed over the top right corner.

The dam wall broke on 25 minutes after multiple attacking moves from Watford. A loose high ball fell to Joshua Keyes near the penalty area, the forward firing a powerful strike into the top right corner.

The young Hornets had a second soon after, Sanghrajka’s effort from the right side of the box taking a deflection before hitting the back of the net.

Nabizada looked to make it three for the hosts as the 30-minute mark ticked over, however his shot from outside the box was fisted away by Rose.

After weathering the Watford storm the Bees won back ascendency to end the second half, however their dominance on the ball couldn’t find an equaliser before the half-time whistle.

The game remained evenly poised in the opening 10 minutes of the second half as both sides enjoyed time on the ball.

On 55 minutes Nabizada worked his way past multiple defenders before firing at goal from the edge of the box, but the ball sailed right of the goal.

On the counter attack one minute later Ethan Laidlaw’s cross was perfectly suited for Boni in the middle of the box, but his effort from close range was kept out by Alfie Marriott in goal for Watford.

In control of the game the Bees continued to press. On 63 minutes Andre Grey’s ball found Joseph Wheeler-Henry down the right side who immediately crossed to Boni in the box, but the ball was inches in front of his outstretched foot and out of play.

The game continued on an even level as the Bees looked for an equaliser, however chances were few and far between as the game entered the final 10 minutes.

On 85 minutes Wheeler-Henry put another dangerous cross in from the right side, but no one was there to meet it for the west Londoners.

Watford went straight on the counterattack after clearing the ball, Keyes taking a shot from outside the box that forced a quality save from Rose.

Despite the west Londoners attacking threat, Watford put the game to bed on 88 minutes, Nabizada running onto Sanghrajka’s ball down the left side and putting it into the bottom right corner to ice the game.

The Bees turn their attention to Colchester United at Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday. Tickets are available here.

Watford U21s: Marriott, Eames, Kamga, Mullins, Keben, Georgiou, Smith (Shevchenko 76), Sanghrajka, Lawson, Keyes, Nabizada

Subs not used: Browne, Scriven, Akinyimika, Assiedou

Brentford U21s: Rose, Wheeler-Henry, McManus, Grey, McKnight, Owen, Picotto (Trialist 66), Honor (Redknapp 66), Boni, Mawene (Bobb-Semple 77), Laidlaw

Subs not used: Tavaziva, Asemokhai

Booked: McKnight 75