U21 Professional Development League 2
Team: Warren, Agbude, Putman, Wilkie, Akindileni, Alemayehu, Coomes, Dyke, Hassan, Pearman, Trijillo
Subs: Halliday, Moore, Neill, Oluwabusola Neziri
For my first visit to the Gtech Community Stadium, I had first met up with Sammy at Ealing Broadway before taking the 65 bus to Kew Bridge.
Rangers fans were allocated the away section of the ground, and there were over 200 present.
A minute’s silence in memory of former Brentford academy coach, Christopher Ramsey, was impeccably observed prior to kick-off.
An experienced Bees side were soon on the front foot, and five minutes in, Alex Wilkie made a good block to keep out Myles Peart-Harris’ attempt on goal.
Ten minutes into the game, and Romelle Donovan’s powerful strike was well-held by the R’s keeper.
After 15 minutes, Reiss Nelson’s cross from the left found an unmarked Romelle Donovan in the box. His shot from ten yards was superbly saved by Charlie Warren.
Brentford took the lead on 27 minutes, when Romelle Donovan cut inside before curling the ball into the net from a good 25 yards.
At the other end, Rangers were awarded a free kick after Jaiden Putman had been brought down. Ellery Balcombe then put Isak Alemayehu’s shot at goal behind for a corner.
On 38 minutes, Charlie Warren made another excellent save when he parried away Romelle Donovan’s powerful attempt.
Pressure from the home side kept Rangers’ attempts to gain a foothold in the Brentford half, to a minimum. Half time: 0-1.
Gustavo Nunes was brought on for the start of the second-half. Brentford had signed the Brazilian winger in August 2024 for a reported fee of £10m+.
Ridwan Hassan took the ball wide, but it was played back, and the move came to nothing.
The Bees doubled their lead on 56 minutes when captain Josh Stephenson headed in Romelle Donovan’s corner.
Two minutes later, Gustavo Nunes won possession in the Rangers half, before going on and blasting the ball over the crossbar.
Good pressure by Ridwan Hassan won his side their first corner, but Kaleb Dyke’s subsequent cross was successfully dealt with.
Paul Furlong made his first change on 67 minutes when Gabriel Oluwabusola came on for Ashley Trujillo.
Iwan Morgan made it three when the Bees substitute fired the ball into the top corner following Romelle Donovan’s assist.
After Mr Breen had booked Kobe Agbude in the 78th minute, the R’s No.2 and Jake Coomes both made way for Kyreece Moore and Enis Neziri respectively.
Rangers continued to battle on and after Isak Alemayehu had won the ball, he then played it to Kaleb Dyke, who proceeded to shoot over the bar.
The final change came in the 84th minute when Fraser Neill replaced Jaylan Pearman.
Brentford got their fourth goal two minutes later after Michael Olakigbe had bombed down the right-wing. His powerful cross into the box was put away by Myles Peart-Harris with a diving header.
Mr Breen blew the final whistle after two added minutes.
The following evening, Paul Furlong’s side took on Hendon in the Middlesex Senior Challenge Cup at the Oliver Connell & Son Community Stadium.
Steve Russell