 All of the goals came in a pulsating first half as strikes from Julian Okai, new scholar Ryan Auger and Marcus Milner sealed the three points despite a determined response from the hosts.
Indeed, Brentford had dominated possession during the opening five minutes and could have taken the lead when a free-kick was delivered into the penalty area and a central defender smashed his shot over the crossbar.
Blues' Youths reply came courtesy of a long-range effort from captain Merrick James-Lewis, whose shot whistled past the post after he had chested down Louis Baucutt's long throw. The central defender's propelled aerial delivery looks set to rival that of predecessor Johnny Herd, and another throw-in was controlled on the edge of the penalty area, this time by Okai, who drew a fine parried save from the goalkeeper.
The flanker did not have to wait long to score as he broke the deadlock in the 13th minute. George Smith's near-post corner was cushioned into the path of Okai, with the first-year scholar delighting in driving his shot past the custodian from 20 yards.
Duane Ofon-Acheampong, the fulcrum of the Shrimpers attack with Okai, Smith and Marcus Milner in support, toe-poked narrowly wide after a neat one-two between Okai and Alex Woodyard, and the tall target man's persistence almost paid off in the 21st minute when he charged down a clearance, only to shoot straight at the 'keeper.
By this stage, Adetayo Osifuwa had sustained a head injury in an accidental collision on the halfway line, with the right-back later being transported to hospital. Auger replaced him, but the Bees had equalised before he was able to acclimatise, a forward lashing the ball past Daniel Bentley and into the roof of the net in the 25th minute.
Blues responded within two minutes to re-take the lead. Okai's corner kick was delivered to the near post where it was flicked on by Ofon-Acheampong. Auger, waiting in space beside the penalty spot, then side-footed into the bottom right-hand corner and, despite his assistant flagging after spotting James-Lewis in an offside position, the referee deemed him not have interfered with play and allowed the goal to stand.
There was little time to draw breath before United had added a third; this time Milner advanced down the right wing before firing his shot from 25 yards towards the goal and, with the aid of a slight deflection, the ball nestled in the bottom left-hand corner.
A frenetic seven-minute period concluded with Brentford's second goal. The Bees captain delivered an outswinging corner to the back post where a central defender rose to plant his header into the opposite corner and quickly change the complexion of the match.
Despite this, Blues continued to go on in search of goals and Ofon-Acheampong was released by a delightful Smith pass. The rangy forward managed to get around his defender but his centre failed to pick out a yellow shirt. Bentley made the final contribution of the first-half by clutching an innocuous set-piece to his chest.
Smith should have scored himself after 47 minutes when Okai's cross narrowly eluded Ofon-Acheampong. The Republic of Ireland Under-17 international received the ball at the back post but contrived to blast his shot against the post from close-range.
A Brentford forward skewed a shot across the face of goal and Bentley claimed a towering header well as the hosts continued to threaten, but Okai too could have netted after dribbling down the left and smashing his shot over.
A further chance went begging for the homesters as a shot was stabbed past the post from a long throw-in of their own, although the Shrimpers had numerous opportunities to extend their advantage and provide themselves with a more comfortable ending.
Okai saw an effort deflected wide before substitute Coskun Ekim centred for Ofon-Acheampong, whose near-post flick was tipped onto the outside of the upright by the 'keeper. Okai's strong challenge then set Ofon-Acheampong away, but he skewed wide.
However, despite Bentley making a late save, Blues were able to hold on to record a 3-2 victory and maintain a strong position in the Youth Alliance South-East Conference table with just two matches remaining.
Southend United Under-18s: Daniel Bentley; Adetayo Osifuwa (Ryan Auger 20), Louis Baucutt, Anthony Furlonge, Teddy Nesbitt; Alex Woodyard, Merrick James-Lewis; Marcus Milner (Isha 83), George Smith (Coskun Ekim 64), Julian Okai; Duane Ofon-Acheampong. Substitute not used: Rhys McKay.
Goals: Okai (13), Auger (26), Milner (28).
Cautioned: Furlonge (63 - persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game). |
League