The Middlesex Under 16 squad took on Brentford FC Community Sports Trust Under 16s, on last Wednesday evening at the Honeycroft, home of Uxbridge FC.

This match was quickly arranged, following the late withdrawal of Berks & Bucks FA, our opponents for the Cyril Butler Memorial Trophy match, scheduled for that evening.

A competitive match was an integral part of our preparation for the forthcoming South East Counties Youth Championship season and this is exactly what we got. We are very grateful to our opponents and to Uxbridge FC for facilitating this for us. Our thanks are also given to the match officials for becoming available at short notice and performing admirably.

We made a shaky start against a team of very good players, who were accustomed to playing as a team and we conceded two goals in the first ten minutes

Brentford went ahead in the 6^th minute, through Adam Benzerroune who converted Christopher Coulibaly’s pass with a shot into the far corner of our net. They doubled this lead 4 minutes later, through Obi Nebuwa, who collected Alassane Karamtao’s pass, beat a defender with a superb turn and slid the ball home.

Then Manager Darrel Gyngell changed our formation and we got into the match. Play now moved from end to end, with both sides playing attractive football.

Brentford keeper, Korede Taiwo saved well from Sam Rogers, who had been put through by Reuben Doherty. A penetrating run by the ever dangerous Alassane Karamtao set up Christopher Coulibaly, who drove narrowly wide. Then Korede Taiwo tipped a great low drive by Servet Bala around his post.

However, Brentford went 3-0 up in the 33^rd minute, through Obi Nebuwa, after Alassane Karamtao had split our defence with some great ball control.

Middlesex hit back in the 40^th minute through Bala Servet who headed home a well-placed corner from Hosam Rouas.

Half time score: Middlesex FA Under 16s 1 Brentford FC CST Under 16s 3

We continued to play well in the second half and had the better chances. Servet further reduced the arrears with a low cross shot into the far corner of the net after in the 21^st minute of the half.

Bijay Pura Pun shot narrowly wide after a good run. A dangerous free kick into the Brentford penalty area by Owen Walsh was scrambled away and then Frankie Major went very close with a low shot.

We continued to press hard for an equaliser as time ran out. Our strikers, with Servet prominent, stretched the Brentford rearguard, while our defence, in which Anotida Mano and Oliver Connor were outstanding, repelled any breakaways. Right back, Owen Walsh also had a significant impact during the latter stages.

We came within inches of that elusive equaliser with the last kick of the match, when Owen’s free kick from outside the penalty box hit the visitors’ goal post.

Final score: Middlesex FA Under 16s 2 Brentford FC CST Under 16s 3

Teams:

Middlesex: Patryk Niznik (Old Isleworthians), Anotida Mano (Hayes & Yeading United), Oliver Connor (Hadley Rangers), Jaydon Goodfellow (Acton & Ealing Whistlers), Jahrome Evans (Hayes & Yeading United), Kaci Richard (Hanwell Town), Darragh O’Keeffe (Acton & Ealing Whistlers), Hosam Rouas (Magix), Ajay Purja Pun (Sutton United), Reuben Doherty (Uxbridge) and Servet Bala (Magix).

Substitutes (rolling substitutions were used and everyone played): Jayden St Paul (Sandgate) (goalkeeper – played all of second half), Frankie Major (Sandgate), Bijay Purja Pun (Sutton United), Sam Rogers (Hadley Rangers), Florian Ada (Concorde Rangers) and Owen Walsh (Whitton Wanderers).

Manager: Darrel Gyngell Coaches: Wayne Little, Mick Harvey & Danny Gyngell

Physio: Katy Bignell

Brentford FC CST: Korede Taiwo, Emmanuel, Kadimiel Anderson, Joseph, Miles Croal, Malikai Ekpenyong, Reinaldo Araujo, Halim, Obi Nebuwa, Adam Benzerroune and Alassane Karamtao.

Substitutes: Pelumi Oladokun, David Robinson, Dante Walcott, Edward Olaniyi, Christopher Coulibaly and Noah Ingham-Wright.

Manager: Kevin Lema Coaches: Rifat Prushi & Luan Payne.

Referee: Fadi Mansour Assistant Referees: Ian Skull and Merv Hughes.