Match Report from the offical Bentford FC Website
An incredible game today. One i fully enjoyed seeing and taking pictures off. The game really was end to end and whoever who on the attack i couldn't take my eyes of the game in fear of missing some action... and pleanty of action there was. Unlucky result Bee's maybe next time
Ben Morris’ stoppage time stunner capped a late Ipswich Town fightback as they claimed a 3-2 victory over Brentford’s Youth Team at Jersey Road this afternoon.
The Bees had taken the lead just before half-time when Chris Mepham’s slight touch put George Harmes’ low free-kick past keeper Nicholas Hayes; Danny Parish doubled the lead early in the second half with a composed finish.
With ten minutes to go, Morris scored a penalty after he was hauled down by Zach Birse; Kieran Cathline then took advantage of Cameron Greaves’ fumble before Morris stole all three points with an unstoppable effort in the final minute of the game.
After an assured performance versus Crystal Palace last weekend, under-16 David Titov kept his place at right-back, whilst Chris Mepham, Jeremiah Kamanzi, Luke Dunn and Danny Parish were restored to the starting eleven.
Ipswich demonstrated their attacking intentions from the start and heaped pressure on their hosts, but despite their physical advantage and intricate build-up play, offered little to test Greaves in the Brentford goal.
That said, eight minutes in, Ross Meldrum blazed a shot over from Albert Wilton’s cross before Greaves did well to save Ronaldo Jones’ free-kick at the feet of Morris.
Julius Fenn-Evans has just one goal to his name this season but went close to adding to his tally when he allowed Josh Bohui’s pass to drift across his body, but he dragged the resulting shot wide, with Hayes at full stretch.
Despite being part of the under-21 squad for the past few weeks, Mepham slotted back into the side seamlessly and prevented the Tractor Boys’ from taking the lead 25 minutes in when he got a head to Meldrum’s goalbound shot after good work from Chris Smith.
Brentford dominated for the remainder of the first-half; Fenn-Evans’ shot was palmed away by Hayes before Luke Dunn wormed his way into the box and pulled back for Danny Parish; Hayes again involved as his deflection diverted the shot onto the bar.
The opening goal finally came soon after. Danny Parish’s classy flicked header found Fenn-Evans who was clattered by bustling centre-back Travis Cole; a nick from Mepham ensured George Harmes’ low free-kick reached the back of the net.
It wasn’t too long after the break that Brentford were celebrating once again - this time Mepham the creator of a typically route one goal. His long ball out of defence was expertly brought down by Parish, who slotted under Hayes for his fourth goal of the season.
The second-half saw Kyjuon Marsh-Brown make a welcome return to the under-18 side for the first time since the final league game of last season in April 2015.
Marsh-Brown - who spent the summer with the Antigua and Barbuda squad in their failed qualifying campaign to reach the 2016 Olympic Games – had a chance to make it 3-0 with ten minutes to go but fluffed his lines six yards out.
Almost immediately from the following attack, the Suffolk side were back in the game when the advancing Morris was brought down by Titov in the area; Greaves’ hand wasn’t enough to keep out his penalty.
The goal ensured Brentford were more wary of Ipswich counter-attacks and with four minutes to go, they kept five men back when attacking a corner; Jeremiah Kamanzi had a shot saved but it was to be the home side’s final attack.
Cruising towards a first win in four, Brentford conceded two late corners despite resilient defending – the first was cleared but from the second came an undeserved equaliser.
Ronaldo Jones whipped a corner in that Greaves leapt to claim, but under pressure, he dropped the ball and substitute Cathline reacted fastest to knock the ball over the line.
Ipswich had only scored four goals in their last five games, but completed a late comeback when Morris pounced and unleashed a powerful curling effort past a helpless Greaves, leaving the young Bees speechless.
Brentford: Cameron Greaves, George Harmes, Zach Birse, Chris Mepham, David Titov, Juan Pablo Gonzalez Velasco (Kingsley Eshun 73), Jeremiah Kamanzi, Josh Bohui (Kyjuon Marsh-Brown 54), Julius Fenn-Evans, Luke Dunn, Danny Parish
Subs (not used): Jordan Carey, Sean Bird
Ipswich Town: Nicholas Hayes, Take Colclough, Harry Daly, Isaac Maynard, Travis Cole (Stephane Bombolenga 65), Kolade Salaudeen (Kieron Cathline 46), Ronaldo Jones, Chris Smith (Dan Muamba 46), Ben Morris, Albert Wilton, Ross Meldrum
Subs (not used): Harry Wright, Steven Cahill