Colchester United U21s 2 Brentford U21s 3: Saunders’ side complete perfect September with four league wins from four | OneFootball

Brentford Under-21s completed a perfect month with a fourth league win, as they beat Colchester United 3-2 in the Professional Development League on Friday evening.

The young Bees went ahead early at the JobServe Community Stadium through Michael Olakigbe, whilst Riley Owen and Yunus Konak added to the scoreline as all five goals in the game were scored in the first-half.

Brentford were in search of a fourth victory on the bounce in the league following last week's 3-0 win against Crewe Alexandra.

The west London side began the quicker of the two sides, opening up the opponents with the first attack and should have taken the lead as Michel Boni swept an initial effort goalwards which struck the foot of the post while on the rebound Ethan Laidlaw skied what looked certain to be a goal.

Olakigbe was next to go close as his intelligent movement in the box fashioned the space for a shot which was saved well by goalkeeper Harrison Chamberlain.

Brentford took the lead not too long after that as good work on the left flank from Laidlaw allowed him to put in a good delivery for Olakigbe who came sliding in at the back post to give the away side the lead.

Despite the good start, Colchester found their rhythm and with their first attack they levelled the scores through Kien Connolly who was in the right place to finish in the box.

A loose pass out the back from Ollie Shield was picked up by Connolly who found Kai Martin in the box and the midfielder dispatched well, placing the ball into the top corner of the net to give the home side the lead

After a spell of pressure from the young U’s, the momentum shifted back to the visitors as Saunders’ side drew level. Owen found space inside the box and fired a powerful effort that the keeper got a hand to but couldn’t keep out.

Brentford edged in front just before half-time when Ollie Shield’s cross picked out Konak in the box, and the midfielder’s cushioned header wrong-footed the Colchester goalkeeper before nestling in the bottom corner.

Laidlaw opened the second period with a fierce shot on goal that Chamberlain had to save to deny the away side a fourth.

Makise Evans should have scored from close range but Rose rushed quickly to the feet of the attacker to smother his attempt on goal as the ball flew over the bar.

The U's were the better side in the second-half and Owura Edwards was closest to securing a point for the home side, curling a shot from distance which crashed off the crossbar.

The game would end with the three points coming back to west London as the young Bees shut out Colchester United in the second period to win the game.

Attention turns to the Premier League Cup now as the young Bees take on Exeter City Under-21s on Tuesday 30 September at St James Park. This will be Brentford's first game of the 2025/26 PL Cup campaign, whilst their hosts have already secured victory, beating Luton Town Under-21s in August.

Colchester United: Chamberlain, Wood, Lisbie, Musanhi, Newby, Nkrumah (Dagher 82), Edwards, Evans, Connolly, Martin, Banjoko (Abidekun 66)

Unused subs: Sexton, Lewis, Adesanya

Booked: Wood 31

Brentford: Rose, Shield, Picotto, Headman, Stephenson, Konak (Grey 68), Olakigbe, (Honor 85), Owen, Boni (Asemokhai 89), Bentt (McKnight 68), Laidlaw

Unused subs: Nicholls

Booked: Rose 82

Sam Saunders on another away victory

Brentford Under-21s head coach Sam Saunders speaks following the slender 3-2 win against Colchester United at the JobServe Community Stadium on Friday evening.

"We spoke to the boys about starting the game with energy. We responded to that and the opening ten minutes were electric — we could have been out of sight with the chances we created"

“Through a couple of moments of sloppiness, we found ourselves 2-1 down, but the boys showed real character to come back. Both goals from Riley and Yunus were crucial and gave us the momentum to turn the game around.”

“Colchester were very good and showed themselves as they had a number of moments in the game where we could have left feeling disappointed for not killing the game off.”

“The squad continues to grow stronger, training hard, being good people and a good teammate is so important to me. I am pleased with how the boys are working."