Brentford U21 (4) – QPR Development Squad (1)
U21 Professional Development League 2
Team: Salamon, Putman, McDowell, McCann, Shann, Aoraha, Petrie, Neill, Hassan, Tarbotton, Leahy
Subs: trialist, Friel, Manufor, Kennedy, Sanyaolu
Just two minutes in, and it was the home side who went close to opening the scoring when Ashley Hay’s header hit the crossbar, whilst the follow-up was then blasted wide of the target.
However, they did take the lead two minutes later following hesitation between the R’s keeper and Casey Shann. This allowed Ashley Hay the easy task of chipping the ball into an empty net.
The Bees doubled their lead a few minutes later. With Matteo Salamon way off his line, Iwan Morgan looked up, and lobbed the ball into the goal from distance.
On 11 minutes, after Ridwan Hassan had broken away, the R’s striker fired the ball wide of the upright.
Seven minutes later, Julian Eyestone successfully held on to Kieran Petrie’s low-drive.
At the other end, Matteo Salamon made an excellent save at the near-post.
Jaiden Putman was booked a minute or so later.
On 23 minutes, Alex Aoraha’s powerful strike was grabbed by the Brentford keeper.
The Bees increased their lead around the half-hour mark after Isaac Holland had squared the ball from the right and Ashley Hay provided the finish.
Then after 34 minutes, Julian Eyestone did well to finger-tip Alex Aoraha’s low-shot behind for a corner.
Alex Aoraha did pull it back to 1-3 in added time following good work by Jake Leahy.
Three minutes after the restart, Kieran Petrie’s cross found Jake Leahy whose header rattled the crossbar.
After Matteo Salamon had sped off his line, his upfield header almost reached the half-way line!
Paul Furlong introduced Rico Kennedy on 61 minutes at the expense of Casey Shann, which in turn saw Jake Leahy moving to left-back.
A long ball from the right was met by Rico Kennedy and his two-footed effort flashed just wide of the target.
Brentford’s fourth goal and Ashley Hay’s hat-trick arrived after 74 minutes. Following a scramble in the box the Bees striker successfully poked the ball home.
Philip Sanyaolu replaced Fraser Neill a minute later.
Matteo Salamon made a superb diving save from the Bees winger close to the final whistle.
Rangers then travelled to London Colney to take on Watford.