Brentford U21s 2 Derby County U21s 0: Boni and Grey strike as Bees progress in PDL playoffs

Brentford U21s 2 Derby County U21s 0: Boni and Grey strike as Bees progress in PDL playoffs

Brentford Under-21s progressed to the quarter-final of the Professional Development League playoffs as they defeated Derby County Under-21s 2-0 at Wheatsheaf Park on Monday evening.

It was a sublime performance from the PDL winners as Michel Boni and Andre Grey scored the goals that proved to be enough against the young Rams. Julian Eyestone also featured in the game.

The game began evenly, with both sides creating early opportunities. Kyrie Pierre and Andre Grey each had efforts from the edge of the box that drifted wide, but the Bees were already finding themselves in dangerous areas.

Derby also showed attacking intent, with Justin Oguntolu producing a strong strike inside the box that was well saved by Eyestone.

As the half progressed, the west Londoners began to take control, pinning the visitors back and building sustained pressure in the Derby half as they searched for the opener.

That pressure soon paid off. Riley Owen delivered a superb ball into Ethan Laidlaw, and the winger calmly picked out an unmarked Boni, who guided his finish into the net.

Saunders’ side continued to dominate, and a moment of individual brilliance doubled their advantage. Theo Mawene beat his man before cleverly flicking the ball into the path of Grey, who fired home from distance.