Norwich City U18s 4 Brentford U18s 3 | OneFootball

Brentford Under-18s exited the FA Youth Cup following a pulsating 4-3 defeat at Carrow Road against Norwich City Under-18s on Monday night.

Lydia Bedford's side did well to draw level, having been two goals down early in the first half. However, the Canaries did enough in the second period to progress.

The young Bees started the tie strongly, moving the ball well in the opening exchanges.

Connor Wolfheimer made a big save to deny Lloyd Ofori-Manteaw despite the good start from the away side after the dangerous Elliot Myles put in a good cross.

Good combination play down the right saw Nedved Owusu play in Michael McSorley, but the striker was denied by Henry Bullen.

The resulting corner found the head of Greg Asemokhai but Theo Adelusi cleared off the line.

The home side took the lead and it was Myles who plucked the ball out of the sky and finished into the top corner of the net.

Norwich's lead was doubled soon after and it was Myles again who jinked his way into the box before steering a shot past the goalkeeper.

Brentford were playing well despite the scoreline and they were eventually rewarded for their endeavour, as Otis Honor found the bottom corner with a great strike.

Emeka Peters was proving to be a threat and his industry found Owusu, who struck the crossbar with a first-time shot inside the box.

Set-pieces had already caused problems for the Canaries and, on the stroke of half-time, McSorley turned in a dangerous Honor corner to draw the Bees level.

Brentford picked up from where they left off after the break as they had two quickfire chances to start the second period.

Adam Poliakov stung the palms of Bullen with a powerful effort from distance, and he followed that up a minute later with a shot that only just went wide as on this occasion, with the keeper rooted.

Despite the good start to the second period, La’sean Sealey found space 25 yards out before driving powerfully into the box and tucking away to put the home side ahead again.

Wolfheimer made a great save to deny Sealey his second of the game as he held onto the ball well following a firm shot from the striker.

Second-half substitute Finlay Corke scored his side’s fourth of the game, tucking away from close range.

Brentford went close to pulling one back as Bullen made two impressive stops in quick succession to deny McSorley and then Ollie Shield.

Domeiro Bobb-Semple was picked out in space and he put in a pinpoint cross for fellow substitute Michel Boni but the striker failed to keep his header on target.

Like in the first half, the Bees were ending the second on top and McSorley wriggled through tight spaces to unleash a shot which found the bottom corner of the net and set up a grandstand finish.

The chances in this pulsating clash did not stop coming and Peters, who had been dangerous throughout, thought he found the leveller, but Bullen stuck out a strong right glove to ensure his side held the slender advantage.

Brentford's final chance went the way of Poliakov but his shot from distance flew over the bar as the Canaries progressed to the fourth round.

Attention now turns to Saturday 21 December when the young Bees travel to Queens Park Rangers, with kick-off at midday.

Brentford: Wolfheimer, Shield, Ivanov, Klimas, Asemokhai (Golding 46), Honor, Owusu (Bobb-Semple 60), Halil (Boni 70), McSorley (Djoro 88), Poliakov, Peters (Giscombe 82)

Unused subs: Anderson, Francis

Norwich: Bullen, Oligbo, Ozcan, Okpiabhele (Keita 79), Adelusi, Williams (Mundle 79), Northover (Corke 46), Ofori-Manteaw, Sealey (Tree 66), Chilvers, Myles

Unused subs: Binnie, Rowland, Daley