Brentford U18s 1 Crewe Alexandra U18s 1: Match report | OneFootball

Brentford Under-18s had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Crewe Alexandra Under-18s in Professional Development League action on Tuesday.

After going into the half-time break at Wheatsheaf Park down 1-0, Nedved Owusu’s equaliser early in the second half got the young Bees back on track. Despite multiple shots on goal in the dying moments by the hosts, the points were shared.

In sunny conditions in west London, it was Crewe that had the first look on goal on five minutes as Ffranc Vaughan-Evans’ effort from the right side of the box was secured by goalkeeper Connor Wolfheimer.

After the early chance, Brentford dominated play across the next 15 minutes, the hosts controlling possession without posing a major threat in attack. Ollie Shield provided the west Londoners with their first shot on target following his strike from Michel Boni’s set at the top of the box, however it was saved by Mikolaj Lenarcik.

Shield was involved again four minutes later, the defender this time looking for an assist. His free-kick from the left side found Matas Klimas unmarked in the box, but his header was sent straight to the arms of Lenarcik.

As they had done early in the game, Brentford continued to dominate possession, their connection through the lines evident as the half progressed.

Crewe broke the stranglehold against the run of play on 36 minutes. Noah Pinder made a strong run through the line and fired at goal. Wolfheimer made the save but Ethan Roberts was there to fire home the rebound, giving his side a 1-0 lead going into the half-time break.

Coming out of the interval, the hosts were on the attack. On 48 minutes, Isaiah Powis fired at goal from the edge of the box, but Lenarcik was there to secure the save.

Two minutes later, it was Owusu’s turn and he made no mistake, the winger sending a powerful right-footed strike into the back of the net to equalise.

Brentford continued to be in the ascendancy as they looked to turn the game on its head. Strong build-up play freed up Yerime Ouattara down the left side on 57 minutes, his cross flying past Boni’s outstretched leg before being cleared away.

Two minutes later, it was Powis who sent a strong strike goalward again, the ball bouncing out of the box from a clearance and sitting up perfectly for the midfielder. He launched the ball at goal on the half-volley, but it was straight at Lenarcik.

While the visitors enjoyed moments in attack, the young Bees continued to dominate possession. On the counter attack just after the hour mark, Owusu played a good pass through to Boni, the forward taking possession and finding Emeka Peters whose shot sailed over the bar.

Moments later, Wolfheimer was called into action at the other end. Lucas Swann made a great run and found himself one-on-one with the Brentford goalkeeper, with Wolfheimer leaving his goal and making a superb save to keep the game even.

Some strong link-up play on 70 minutes freed up Boni in the middle of the box, however, his shot was saved by Lenarcik.

The hosts had a plethora of chances in the final 10 minutes. The best of them came on 89 minutes as Boni met an Otis Honor corner at the back post and headed it at goal, the ball inches from going over the line before being cleared.

Peters went close to scoring a winner deep in stoppage time as he drove forward before sending a shot just wide of the target.

Brentford now turn their attention to Swansea City away on Saturday afternoon.

Brentford U18s: Wolfheimer, Shield (Taylor 76), Lienou, Klimas, Golding, Honor, Owusu (Bobb-Semple 69), Powis, Boni, Ouattara, Peters

Subs not used: Anderson, Trimboli, Giscombe

Crewe Alexandra U18s: Lenarcik, Baker, Chadwick (Khalil 78), Leather, Graves, Irwin, Pinder (Etuhu 78), Jones-Mellor (Wilson 73), Vaughan-Evans (Swann 65), Ewusi, Roberts (Holt 65)