Exeter City U21s Premier League Cup campaign came to an end with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Premier League Academy side Brentford B at St James Park.
In an even 90 minutes, Isaac Holland’s second-half strike was enough to separate the sides, despite the young Grecians creating some strong chances.
Joint managers Dan Green and David Perkins named a similar side to the one that was in fantastic form and unbeaten in the group stage. There were three changes to the 2-2 draw with Bristol City back in January as Max Edgecombe, Jake Richards and January signing Andrew Oluwabori came into the side in place of Pedro Borges, Reece Cole and Jay Bird.
First half
City were quickest out of the traps in the early stages, almost forcing an effort on goal thanks to combination play between Mitch Beardmore and Jake Richards. The ball was squared to Louie Cayless but he was quickly charged down.
The first shot of the night came from the boot of Andrew Oluwabori after a driving run from Tom Dean. Tom squared inside for Andrew who took a couple touches before lashing over the away end goal.
At the other end captain Ethan Brierley forced Harry Lee into action with a snapshot just outside the area, but it was a comfortable save.
Brentford should have taken the lead just before ten minutes as Brierley’s shot from inside the area was parried away by Lee, Max Dichov was quickest to react, but his shot was wide from close range.
Andrew Oluwabori looked lively on his first start for the club, driving at the Bees defence before shifting the ball and shooting at goal but it was easy for Julian Eyestone in goal. Moments later Jake Richards unleashed a powerful drive, but it was just wide with City growing into the game.
As we got closer to the break City carved out a decent chance as Cayless made space down the left before sending in a teasing cross towards Richards who was just unable to get on the end of it.
The sides went in level at the break, in a very closely contested half.
Second half
With just twenty seconds on the clock in the second half, City forced a corner after Gabe Billington’s cross took a deflection. Tom Dean’s delivery dropped just in front of the ‘keeper and was cleared.
A quick break, started by Max Edgecombe saw the ball slid through to Tom Dean, he was pushed wide by the defender and his shot from just inside the area didn’t have enough power to test the Bees’ goalkeeper.
City were looking to hit Brentford on the counter and a quick break found Dean in space before he delivered a testing cross that Oluwabori could only divert wide under pressure.
Just after the hour the visitors took the lead just as City looked to be taking control. Brierley’s shot from just outside the box was pushed away by Lee, but Isaac Holland followed up to fire home from close range.
Benjamin Frederick was next to test Lee in the City goal, cutting inside and firing a low shot towards the corner but Harry was down quickly to thwart the danger.
Assistant manager David Perkins came on after 78 minutes to try and help City wrestle back some control and to push the team forward.
With less than ten minutes remaining City pressed to get back on level terms. A dangerous cross from wide was hacked away by the Bees defender, forcing a corner. Tom Dean’s set piece was in a good area but was well defended.
Deep in injury time, the dangerous Tom Dean found space down the right and floated in a cross which Wilson was unable to get to.
With seconds remaining City forced one last set piece. Tom Dean delivered, with Harry Lee up and he headed over. This proved to be the final action and the score finished 1-0 to Brentford B.
City’s campaign came to an end but they should be proud of their efforts!
Exeter City: Lee (GK), Beardmore, Cummins, James (c), Cayless (Perkins ’78), Edgecombe, Oakes, Billington, Dean, Richards, Oluwabori (Wilson 66’)
Subs not used: Phillips, Cartwright, Ohanaka.
Yellow: James ‘85
Brentford B: Eyestone (GK), Frederick, McManus, Stephenson, Arthur, Owen, Holland, Brierly (c), Dichov (Poliakov 87’), Krauhaus, Williams.
Yellow: Dichov 39’ Williams 54’ Owen 89’
Subs not used: Avenall, Grey, Headman, Bentt.
Attendance: 165