Sheffield United U18s 1 Brentford U18s 2: Bansoodeb and Nwosu strikes hand Bees PDL victory

Sheffield United U18s 1 Brentford U18s 2: Bansoodeb and Nwosu strikes hand Bees PDL victory

A two-goal second half saw Brentford Under-18s complete a 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield United Under-18s in the Professional Development League on Saturday.

After going into half-time down 1-0, the young Bees responded through a Jai Bansoodeb goal, before Jai Nwosu's strike helped the west Londoners to all three points.

In windy conditions at Sheffield United Academy, the hosts started promisingly and came close to an opener inside the first minute. Through on goal Siem Eyob-Abraha looked to score, however he was matched by Brentford goalkeeper Felix Lyon who left his goal and made a strong save.

Two minutes later Lamine Sidibe went one better as he was played through the backline by Cole Hay. Despite his shot hitting Lyon’s hand, the strike had enough power to force its way into the goal for the opener.

After dealing with an early onslaught of Sheffield pressure, Gary McDermott’s Bees responded positively to get the game back on level terms inbetween the boxes, however couldn’t piece it together in the final third.

On 27 minutes the west Londoners looked to equalise with their best early attacking move. Bansoodeb broke through the middle of the pitch and played it to Coran Madden down the left side. The winger worked deep into the Sheffield box before firing at goal, but his effort was blocked out for a corner.

Bansoodeb’s corner found Nwosu in the box with a superb delivery, but his glancing header sailed over the bar.

Nwosu continued to get into good positions in the box and received the ball from a Nathaniel Ogungbemi cross on 36 minutes, but his high footed effort was over the bar.

Down the other end of the pitch Sidibe was played through again and looked to score, but his effort was sent straight to Lyon’s hands.

As half-time inched closer Jovan Kasujja had a good look on goal as he found himself one-vs-one in the box. His left-footed shot looked to loop Benjamin Grainger in goal for the young Blades, but it was headed out for a corner.

In added time Bailey Miller looked to double the hosts’ lead as he streamed through the middle of the pitch and fired at goal from outside the box, but his effort sailed straight into the waiting hands of Lyon.

Out of the break Bansoodeb continued to be a handful for the hosts. On 55 minutes he beat his man into the box and cut the ball back to a dangerous area, but it was deflected away. The ball remained in play and found its way to Nwosu near the edge of the box, but his shot was straight to Grainger.

With the hour mark approaching Hay lined up for a free-kick from outside the box, but his effort was just over the bar.

Emmett Morrison suffered the same fate as he got deep into Brentford’s box but put his effort over the bar.

The breakthrough came for the visitors on 61 minutes as they equalised. Madden’s dangerous cross from the left side wasn’t dealt with in Sheffield United’s box and Bansoodeb was there to finish the rebound from close range.

Riding a wave of momentum McDermott’s side pushed for a second goal and it came on 70 minutes through Nwosu. Breaking through the middle of the pitch Yerime Ouattara played to Nedved Owusu down the right. His cross was punched away by Grainger but it rebounded straight into Nwosu’s boot and hit the back of the net.

In his return from injury Owusu was inches away from scoring moments later. As the winger made a brilliant run though the backline Bansoodeb found him with a slick pass. Owusu's shot was headed goalward, but hit the post before being cleared.

With under five minutes to play the hosts continued to press for an equaliser and came close with a well-worked free-kick. Alfie Booker took the set piece and found Hay at the near post, his headed effort going just wide of the goal.

Down the other end Micaiah Fanoiki broke forward on the counterattack and pushed into the box before looking to put a shot across Grainger, however his effort was blocked and bounced out of play.

The full-time whistle followed, handing the Bees a valuable three points. They'll now turn their attention to Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night in the U17 PDL Shield final at Wheatsheaf Park.

Tickets for the clash are available here.

Sheffield United U18s: Grainger, Bishawu, Buckle, Roberts, Parr-Pearson, Miller, Sidibe (Booker 84), Adams (Morrison 56), Shephard (Bulmer 84), Hay, Eyob-Abraha

Subs not used: Rahnavard, Trialist

Brentford U18s: Lyon, Trimboli, Ogungbemi, Oladapo-Gamu, Trialist (Lawal 63), Cohalan, Kasujja (Fanoiki 81), Y. Ouattara, Nwosu, Bansoodeb (Hanson 85), Madden (Owusu 63)

Subs not used: Nicholls