Brentford U18s 1 AFC Wimbledon U18s 0 | OneFootball

Brentford Under-18s' Professional Development League Cup campaign remains alive following a 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon Under-18s on Friday night.

A late first half goal from Josh Djoro gave the young Bees the lead going into half-time at Wheatsheaf Park and despite going down to 10 players late in the game, the side did enough to grind out an important victory.

Despite an even start to the game, Wimbledon enjoyed the better of the chances across the opening 10 minutes.

Kai Mackenzie took possession on five minutes just outside the box and fired at goal, however it flew over the bar. Ed Leach was next up on nine minutes, his left foot shot from inside the box sent straight to Connor Wolfheimer’s hands in goal for Brentford.

The young Bees’ best early chance came on 11 minutes, Ollie Shield taking possession and driving forward before shooting at goal, his shot sailing just over the bar.

While the hosts were enjoying plenty of time in possession, it was Wimbledon who were earning the best chances on goal. Harry Hedges was next up for the visitors, his shot from outside the box pushed out of play by a diving Wolfheimer.

The first half continued to be an arm wrestle, Wimbledon proving dangerous on the counter attack with multiple shots on target that were kept out by Wolfheimer.

Meanwhile the young Bees continued to enjoy time in possession but were unable to piece it together in the final third.

That changed on the brink of half-time, however, as Djoro found the back of the net to break the stranglehold. Nedved Owusu fired at goal, his shot saved by Ethan McGrath in goal, however as the ball bobbled out of his hands, Michael McSorley managed to get a foot to it to keep the play alive. The ball rebounded to Djoro who made no mistake from close range.

Coming out of the break it was Wimbledon who had the best early chance to score. Wolfheimer saved the initial shot on target, the ball rebounding to a free Wimbledon player. His shot was heading towards goal before being cleared off the line by Greg Asemokhai.

One minute later the young Bees came close to doubling their lead, Adam Poliakov driving Brentford forward on the counter attack and crossing the ball towards goal, but no teammates were there to tap it in.

Continuing a fast paced 10-minute period, Wimbledon again tested Wolfheimer with a shot on target, but the Brentford keeper was up to the task and deflected the ball away.

As the game edged towards the final 10 minutes, both sides continued to look to score. Jake Lawrence came close to equalising for Wimbledon on 78 minutes as he drove forward and fired at goal from outside the box, however the ball cannoned into the bar before being cleared away.

In the final minutes of play, the young Bees were dealt a blow as Poliakov was shown a red card.

Wimbledon came close to equalising as the game entered added time soon after. Wolfheimer saved the initial shot, the rebound shot then cannoned into the post before being tapped home. The young Dons were ruled to have handballed in the lead up, however.

Down to 10 players, Lydia Bedford’s side had to defend grimly, the young Bees able to do so until the final whistle blew, handing them all three points.

Brentford U18s: Wolfheimer, Shield, Ivanov (Ouattara, 69’), Klimas, Asemokhai, Honor, Owusu (Payet, 60’), Djoro (Powis, HT), McSorley, Poliakov, Bobb-Semple (Giscombe, 69’)

Subs not used: Golding

AFC Wimbledon U18s: McGrath, Moore, Soukou, Kirby, Horan, Goma, Leach, Lawrence, Mackenzie, Hedges, Nkeng

Subs: Nhotshwa, Norris, Fraser, Sealey, Woods

Room to improve following PDL Cup win

Brentford Under-18 head coach Lydia Bedford was proud of her side for grinding out a tough win despite not putting out their best performance of the season.

Bedford said the Friday night fixture was the perfect preparation for her side ahead of the FA Youth Cup third round against Norwich City next month.