Highlights and report: Bristol City U21s 0 Brentford U21s 4 | OneFootball

Brentford Under-21s have climbed to the top of the Professional Development League table following an emphatic 4-0 victory over Bristol City Under-21s at the Robins High Performance Centre on Monday afternoon.

In their return to Professional Development League action, the young Bees went into half-time ahead thanks to a Max Dickov goal. Ethan Laidlaw added a second after the break, with substitute Iwan Morgan then scoring a brace to secure all three points and a fifth-straight win.

While dominant for the majority of the game, a sloppy start saw Brentford on the back foot as the home side forced a handful of mistakes by the young Bees’ backline.

A counter attack on 15 minutes helped Neil MacFarlane’s side claw back momentum, however. Dickov took possession off a Bristol City corner and played the ball to Riley Owen down the left. The midfielder slid Kyreece Lisbie through on goal, however, a diving effort by home goalkeeper Joe Duncan saw him parry the ball and help the danger be cleared.

Less than a minute later, Lisbie went close to the opener again. Vonnte Williams pushed into the left side of the box and crossed to the back post for Lisbie, but his effort cannoned off the post.

Laidlaw proved to be a nuisance up front, with his press on the defence helping the young Bees keep the pressure on their opponents. Laidlaw had two shots in quick succession, however, both were claimed by Duncan diving to his left.

Brentford’s press ensured they continued to dominate possession across the opening half, while they also looked dangerous on the counter attack. On 40 minutes, Lisbie pushed down the right side and was assisted by Chanse Headman with an overlapping run, the ensuing cross met by Laidlaw whose header was saved.

Reward came a minute later for the visitors as Dickov looked to cross from the left. The ball got caught in the wind and dragged towards goal, eventually lobbing Duncan and landing in the back of the net to give the young Bees a deserved lead going into the break.

Brentford carried their momentum into the start of the second half and doubled their lead on the hour mark.

Trialist Dylan Jones was taken down inside the box, with the referee immediately pointing to the spot. Laidlaw stepped up and scored, making it three goals in four games to continue a rich run of form for the forward.

Jones continued to be a threat up front, with the trialist smartly keeping the ball in and playing it forward to Morgan, who saw his effort tipped over the bar by Duncan.

The scoreline reflected the state of the game as the second half progressed, with MacFarlane’s side in control of the contest.

They found a third goal on 82 minutes through a second penalty. Tony Yogane was brought down inside the box and Morgan stepped up to net his first of the afternoon from 12 yards.

He added a second to round off the scoring late on. Dickov played through to Morgan, with the forward moving to his left and firing into the bottom corner.

Bristol City U21s: Duncan, Rowe, Rose, James, Campbell-Slowey, Ali, Backwell, Meerholz, Thomas, Churchley, Phillips

Subs: Hewlett, Godden, Ababio, Bak

Brentford U21s: Rose, Holland (Avenell 46), Dickov, Williams, Stephenson (Yogane 46), Headman, Lisbie, Grey, Jones (Redhead 76), Owen (Morgan 61), Laidlaw (Booth 83)