Brentford Under-18s began their pre-season fixtures with a 1-1 draw with Leicester City Under-18s in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Robert Rowan Performance Centre on Saturday afternoon.
Naeem Giscombe was the lone goalscorer for the young Bees in the 70-minute clash, the second-year scholar kicking off his second season in west London strongly.
In wet conditions the game started on an even playing field, neither side able to gain the ascendancy in the early stages.
Brentford goalkeeper Felix Lyon was called into action on six minutes as the young Foxes found themselves through on goal, the first-year scholar able to make a superb save to deny a certain goal.
Five minutes later the young Bees pounced and took the lead through Giscombe. Running onto a cross from trialist A, Giscombe made no mistake as he tucked home a slick finish to make it 1-0.
Soon after it was Leicester City’s turn as the visitors equalised, the ball beating Lyon’s outstretched arms and racing into the bottom right corner to make it 1-1.
The game continued to ebb and flow as the first half progressed, both sides enjoying time on the ball and threatening moves going forward.
Giscombe almost had a brace after superb build up play from the young Bees on 25 minutes. Josh Zetter-Plummer played the ball from the middle to the right side and found Jovan Kasujja who pushed forward and crossed to the back post. His ball hit Giscombe, however the forward was unable to finish, leaving the score 1-1 heading into half-time.
Brentford were forced to defend early in the second half as the young Foxes enjoyed some time in possession in the young Bees’ half. Despite this, the hosts defended strongly and wrestled the game back onto their terms.
On 46 minutes Chris Cohalan won the ball back deep in Leicester City’s half and fired at goal, but it was well kept out by the visitor’s keeper.
Moments later it was the young Foxes who had an open look on goal, however the shot was high and wide.
As the game inched closer towards full time it was Giscombe who again found himself in a dangerous position, the forward heading a cross goalward that was kept out by the Leicester City goalkeeper.
Despite both teams’ efforts to find a winner the clash ended 1-1, the young Bees picking up valuable minutes to kick-start their pre-season campaign.
Brentford Under-18s: Lyon, Trimboli, Lawal, Golding, Bowen, Trialist A, Zetter-Plummer, Cohalan, Kasujja, Ouattara, Giscombe
Subs: Trialist B, Trialist C, Ogungbemi, Bobb-Semple, Fanoiki