ALBION ********** 1
Richards 42BRENTFORD ****1
Mawson 9
Albion’s under-21s lost their 100 per cent record but remain undefeated in the league following a 1-1 draw with Brentford.
Alfie Mawson had put the hosts ahead early on but a Courtney Richards penalty secured a point for Simon Ireland's side.
Grant Smith came to Albion’s rescue early on with two excellent saves within a minute. Paul Hayes’s low cross was directed at goal by Stuart Dallas but Smith was equal to the strike, and from the resulting corner the former Fulham trainee showed excellent reactions to tip Aaron Pierre’s flick onto the post.
But there was nothing the Seagulls keeper could do to prevent Mawson directing his header home from a Dallas corner with nine minutes on the clock.
Albion came close to an equaliser on 25 minutes but Robin Deen was not able to get a good enough connection on Jason Davis’s cross, while Ben Nugent headed over for Brentford from another dangerous corner.*
Hayes came close to adding a second for the Bees but dragged his effort wide before Ireland’s side drew level just before half-time.
Luke Norris was penalised for holding Ben Barclay in the box and captain Richards confidently struck the resulting penalty home.
Brentford were nearly the masters of their own downfall in the second half as Pierre’s sliced clearance seemed destined for the net, only for an astonishing one-handed save from Liam O’Brien to keep the scores level.
Dallas had been a constant threat throughout the evening and his dipping, swerving strike from the edge of the area dropped narrowly over with the aid of a deflection.
A terrific last-ditch challenge from Glen Rea then denied Norris, however the Brentford striker did get his chance with five minutes to go but shot straight at Smith.
In the dying seconds a magnificent 50-yard run from Brennan Dickenson nearly provided a spectacular winner but O’Brien made an all-important save with his legs.
The keeper’s work wasn’t over just yet as Dickenson tested him once more and Charlie Harris put the rebound wide as the spoils were shared.
Albion: Smith, Barry, Rea, Lall (Collar 75), Barclay, Asmundsson, Starkey, Richards, Deen (Harris 84), Dickenson, Davis (Muitt 65).
Subs not used: Wray, Benham.
Original article
Richards 42BRENTFORD ****1
Mawson 9
Albion’s under-21s lost their 100 per cent record but remain undefeated in the league following a 1-1 draw with Brentford.
Alfie Mawson had put the hosts ahead early on but a Courtney Richards penalty secured a point for Simon Ireland's side.
Grant Smith came to Albion’s rescue early on with two excellent saves within a minute. Paul Hayes’s low cross was directed at goal by Stuart Dallas but Smith was equal to the strike, and from the resulting corner the former Fulham trainee showed excellent reactions to tip Aaron Pierre’s flick onto the post.
But there was nothing the Seagulls keeper could do to prevent Mawson directing his header home from a Dallas corner with nine minutes on the clock.
Albion came close to an equaliser on 25 minutes but Robin Deen was not able to get a good enough connection on Jason Davis’s cross, while Ben Nugent headed over for Brentford from another dangerous corner.*
Hayes came close to adding a second for the Bees but dragged his effort wide before Ireland’s side drew level just before half-time.
Luke Norris was penalised for holding Ben Barclay in the box and captain Richards confidently struck the resulting penalty home.
Brentford were nearly the masters of their own downfall in the second half as Pierre’s sliced clearance seemed destined for the net, only for an astonishing one-handed save from Liam O’Brien to keep the scores level.
Dallas had been a constant threat throughout the evening and his dipping, swerving strike from the edge of the area dropped narrowly over with the aid of a deflection.
A terrific last-ditch challenge from Glen Rea then denied Norris, however the Brentford striker did get his chance with five minutes to go but shot straight at Smith.
In the dying seconds a magnificent 50-yard run from Brennan Dickenson nearly provided a spectacular winner but O’Brien made an all-important save with his legs.
The keeper’s work wasn’t over just yet as Dickenson tested him once more and Charlie Harris put the rebound wide as the spoils were shared.
Albion: Smith, Barry, Rea, Lall (Collar 75), Barclay, Asmundsson, Starkey, Richards, Deen (Harris 84), Dickenson, Davis (Muitt 65).
Subs not used: Wray, Benham.
Original article