AS Monaco U23s 2 Brentford B 1: Match report and reaction | OneFootball

Brentford B were defeated 2-1 by AS Monaco Under-23s away from home on Monday afternoon.

After going into the half-time break at AS Monaco Training Centre 2-0 down, the young Bees responded through a Caelan Avenell goal. However, they couldn’t find an equaliser before full-time.

In sunny conditions, it was the hosts who came out firing to start the game. Brentford goalkeeper Julian Eyestone was called into action early as he made a strong save to deny an early goal.

Monaco came close to finding an opener soon after, however the shot cannoned into the post before being cleared.

Despite some positive moves by the young Bees, it was Monaco who found the opener, with the hosts going ahead on 16 minutes through Lucas Michal.

After some good pressure high up the pitch, Monaco were rewarded with a second goal, doubling their lead on 34 minutes through George Ilenikhena.

Out of the half-time break, Monaco again started brightly, with the Ligue 1 side coming close to finding a third goal on two occasions within the opening five minutes.

As they settled into the second half, Brentford started to wrestle back momentum, working through Monaco’s press well.

Vonnte Williams came close to finding the young Bees’ first goal as the hour-mark approached, but his shot crashed into the post.

Max Dickov and Romelle Donovan followed with shots of their own for Brentford in the ensuing minutes, however, neither were able to find the back of the net.

The visitors found reward for effort on 62 minutes, with Avenell able to finish well from a Riley Owen corner to get Neil MacFarlane’s side back in the game.

Brentford came close to equalising on two occasions as the game entered the final 20 minutes. Isaac Holland’s backheel effort couldn’t find its way into the back of the net as it was forced out for a corner.

Donovan’s ensuring corner almost found its way into the goal but was also kept out.

Despite the game entering the final 10 minutes, it continued to be played at a frantic pace, with both sides looking to pounce on the counter attack.

Although the young Bees carried the momentum throughout the second 45 minutes, Monaco secured a 2-1 win.

Brentford B now turn their attention to the Premier League Cup round of 16 away to Exeter City Under-21s on Thursday night.

Monaco U23s: Lienard, Platret, Ouattara, Sow, Couto, Benama, Diop, Coulibaly, Ilenikhena, Bouabré, Michal

Subs: Eser, Baranik, Gesan, Bakali Wawina, Zadi, Awragh, Etonde, Ngadena

Brentford B: Eyestone, Holland (Grey 73), Williams, Avenell, Stephenson, McManus (Headman 60), Krauhaus, Wilcox, Dickov, Owen (Agyei 82), Donovan

Subs not used: Trialist

MacFarlane praises strong second-half display

Brentford B head coach Neil MacFarlane was pleased with his side's second-half response in their 2-1 loss to Monaco U23s.

The trip away followed on from the young Bees' Atlantic Cup run in Portugal in February, MacFarlane pleased with the efforts he has seen from his side abroad.