Brentford Under-18s fell to a 4-2 defeat against Southampton Under-18s in the U18 Premier League at Staplewood Training Centre on Saturday.
A brace inside the first 15 minutes from Beau Redknapp saw the young Bees get off to a flying start, however Southampton responded to secure all three points at home.
The clash saw the west Londoners make their debut in the U18 PL, following the academy's awarding of Category One status in April.
In sunny conditions on the south coast Gary McDermott’s side started promisingly and were rewarded on seven minutes.
After making a run through the backline and gaining possession, Coran Madden played the ball to Redknapp streaming into the right side of the box, the midfielder putting the ball into the back of the net with his first touch.
Seven minutes later the lead was doubled. The west Londoners pressed hard to win the ball back deep in Southampton’s half, Jai Nwosu’s pass then putting Redknapp one-on-one with Hadley Clark in goal for the hosts, the young Bee calmly slotting it home for his second.
McDermott’s side continued to grow into the game and were fleetingly awarded a penalty on 27 minutes. Jai Bansoodeb’s free-kick was kept out by Clark, but Nwosu was quick to the rebound and was taken down in the box by the goalkeeper. While the referee pointed to the spot, the assistant referee had his flag up for offside.
While showing promising signs in attack, the backline was standing up for Brentford. Southampton posed a threat as they put the ball in dangerous areas across the first half, but team defending was proving a success for the visitors.
As the half-hour mark passed Ellis Foster-Jones made a strong run through the middle of the pitch before playing to Nwosu down the left side of the box. The striker immediately looked to score, but his effort was kept out by Clark diving low to his left.
As half-time approached it was the hosts who wrestled back some momentum with a late goal. Walter Nutter looked to cross the ball and Layton Nicholls came out to collect it in goal for the Bees, but the ball slipped through his hands and fell into the goal.
The visitors were back on the attack in added time, however. Madden made a promising run down the right side before crossing to the back post, Jovan Kasujja there to collect it off the rebound and fire at goal, but his effort was matched by Clark to keep it out.
Out of the break it was the Saints who struck first after a slick move. Max Little worked his way deep into Brentford’s box before putting a cross in, the ball sailing across the face of goal.
Play remained alive on the other side of the box, Fabio Sainsbury taking possession and firing it home to equalise.
Nwosu looked to reply on the hour mark as he broke forward and found himself one-on-one with Clark, but his shot hit the post.
Three minutes later Nicholls sent a pin-point ball to Micaiah Fanoiki down the right side in Southampton's half. The right-back immediately played the ball into Nwosu in the box who set it for Fanoiki, but his shot was blocked.
One minute later Madden put a dangerous cross to the goal line as Brentford’s forwards looked to pounce, but it was safely secured by Clark for the hosts.
With under 10 minutes to play it was Nwosu against causing issues for the hosts. As he looked to run onto a ball through the backline, he was taken down inside the box by Clark, the referee pointing to the spot. Enrique Roca stepped up to take the spot kick, but Clark made a timely save diving low to his right.
With under a minute of regular time to play the hosts pounced to take the lead. A neat ball played back to Nutter allowed the midfielder to whip it into the top left corner from the edge of the box.
As the Bees searched for an equaliser in added time they sent goalkeeper Nicholls up the pitch and into the box for a free-kick. A goal couldn't be found and Jude Daniels pounced on the counterattack, putting the ball into an empty net to secure all three points for the hosts.
Southampton U18s: Clark, Vallance, Day, Martin, Robinson, Nutter, Duffy (Comley 30 (Kuzanga 61), Sainsbury, Daniels, Hawe (Lemon 61), Little
Subs not used: Lovatt, Moloney, Wells, Bariami
Booked: Martin 26, Vallance 86
Brentford U18s: Nicholls, Fanoiki (Serme 70), Foster-Jones (Biggs 55), Oladapo-Gamu, Danso, Cohalan, Madden (E. Roca 70), Redknapp (Noni 26 (Trialist 70), Nwosu, Bansoodeb, Kasujja
Subs not used: Lyon, Mason
Booked: Bansoodeb 50, Danso 86