Ipswich Town U21s 1 Brentford U21s 2 | OneFootball

Brentford Under-21s made it back-to-back Professional Development League wins on Thursday night, defeating Ipswich Town Under-21s 2-1 at Portman Road.

The young Bees went 1-0 down early in the first half, however drew level thanks to a Kyreece Lisbie header. An 81st-minute Iwan Morgan winner secured the three points for Neil MacFarlane’s side in an impressive display.

Brentford began in superb style and had a shot on target inside one minute of action. Morgan gained possession down the right side, pushed his way into the box and fired a left footed strike, however it was well kept out by Henry Gray in the Ipswich goal.

Morgan thought he had netted the opener a minute later as he headed in from an Ethan Brierley cross, however the offside flag was up.

Despite some early dominance from MacFarlane’s group, it was Ipswich who opened the scoring, Jesse Nwabueze firing it home on five minutes.

The young Tractor Boys enjoyed a period of momentum after repelling Brentford’s early attacks. They nearly doubled their lead on 10 minutes from a counter attack, Ashley Boatswain receiving the ball on the edge of the box before sending his shot over the bar.

The equaliser came on 14 minutes after another superb cross from Brierley. The midfielder’s ball found its way to Lisbie behind Ipswich’s defensive line, with the forward heading it past Gray to level proceedings.

The game continued to be an entertaining one played at a fast pace. Nwabueze came close to restoring Ipswich's lead on 18 minutes but his was denied by Julian Eyestone.

Following a non-stop first 25 minutes, the game settled into a steady pace across the final 20 minutes. On 34 minutes, Morgan won the ball back off a home defender but saw his strike saved by Gray.

The young Bees continued to carry the momentum as half-time approached, with two chances going begging inside the final 10 minutes. Tony Yogane’s cross from the left hit Isaac Holland at the back post, however Gray turned his effort around the post.

Vonnte Williams’ ensuing corner was perfectly placed for Benjamin Fredrick as he flew through the box, however his header fell wide of the goal.

As they did in the first half, Brentford started the stronger of the two teams in the second 45 minutes. The young Bees were inches away from going ahead on 50 minutes, Lisbie’s header at the back post going across goal to Ethan Laidlaw, who wasn’t able to get clean contact on the ball, allowing the hosts to clear off the line.

Thomas Taylor went close to finding the Tractor Boys' second goal two minutes later. He regained possession in the final third but sent his shot over the top of the frame.

A frantic five minutes ensued in Brentford’s attacking end as they searched for a winner. Lisbie pushed his way into the right-hand side of the box before crossing it to Morgan, whose header at goal was deflected away by the Ipswich defence.

Brierley came close to finding the young Bees’ second soon after as they won the ball back from Gray. With the Ipswich keeper off his line, Brierley got his shot away quickly, however it was cleared away by the hosts’ backline.

The resulting corner was met by a strong Benjamin Arthur header however it was wide of the mark.

Brentford’s reward came as the game entered its final 10 minutes, Lisbie again involved in the play. He broke down the right side, beating his man to the ball and crossing it into the box, where Morgan finished from close range.

Despite Ipswich’s best efforts to equalise late in the game, strong defending ensured Brentford secured all three points away from home.

Ipswich Town U21s: Gray, Babb, Lewis, Mazionis, O’Connor, Turner, Davis, Okunowo, Boatswain, Taylor, Nwabueze

Subs: Fleischer, Jambang, Towler, Ayoola, Mendel

Brentford U21s: Eyestone, Holland (Dickov 75), Yogane (Shield 88), Williams (Headman 88), Fredrick, Arthur, Lisbie, Brierley, Morgan, Owen, Laidlaw (Hay 68)

Subs not used: Avenell

MacFarlane pleased with 90-minute performance

Brentford Under-21s head coach Neil MacFarlane was full of praise for his side following their 2-1 PDL win over Ipswich Town Under-21s.

After falling behind early in the game, MacFarlane was pleased with the group's response and ability to continually create chances.