U21s: Brentford 1-3 Bolton

Bolton Wanderers Under-21s returned to winning ways as they beat Brentford to claim their first away victory of the season on Monday.

Facing off at the Bees' training ground, Jamie Thomas' early penalty fired the young Whites ahead before a Callum Spooner own goal levelled the scores.

Enock Likoy-Elumba restored Bolton's lead on the stroke of half-time with a fine individual effort, before substitute Alex Samizadeh sealed the win within moments of coming on.

Filip Twardzik started in midfield as Iain Brunskill made three changes to the side that faced Sheffield United.

Elsewhere Ross Fitzsimons returned in goal and Enock Likoy-Elumba was handed a start in attack, while Alex Finney again captained the young Whites.

 

Following a slow start to the game, Wanderers were presented an early opportunity to take the lead after Jan Holldack fouled Chris Cvetko inside the Brentford penalty area.

Jamie Thomas stepped up to take the spot-kick and made no mistake from the penalty spot as he coolly slotted home into the bottom corner, sending goalkeeper Jack Bonham the wrong way.

The young Whites could have doubled their lead soon after as Filip Twardzik rounded Bonham after bursting forward into the box, only to be denied by a last-ditch Zain Westbrooke challenge.

At the other end, Brentford were unfortunate not to equalise soon after as Reece Cole saw his 25-yard free-kick cannon off the top of its crossbar on its way over.

However, the Bees did manage to get back on level terms midway through the half as Callum Spooner diverted Josh Clarke's cross into his own net.

Not fazed by conceding, Bolton finished the half on top as they had numerous chances to go back in front.

Filip Twardzik twice tried his luck from long-range as he first looked to chip Bonham from 45-yards after spotting the Brentford keeper off his line, before dragging another effort from distance wide. 

Nat Phillips also went close for the Trotters as he leapt highest at the far post to connect with a Jordan Lussey corner, but was unable to keep his header down.

Wanderers were finally rewarded as they re-took the lead on the stroke of half-time courtesy of Enock Likoy-Elumba.

Chasing after a long ball upfield, the forward won possession outwide before cutting inside, shrugging off a couple of Brentford challenges, and stroking beyond Bonham as the Whites went in ahead at the interval.

Brentford twice went close to pegging Bolton back once more during the opening moments after the break as Cole fired narrowly over from inside the area, before Scott Hogan had a strike ruled out for offside.

However, substitute Alex Samizadeh put the game to bed less than a minute after being introduced to the action, slotting home across goal when one-on-one after racing onto George Newell's through-ball.

With chances at a premium, the Bees looked to fight back but never seemed likely to halve the deficit.

Samizadeh could have even extended the Trotters' lead after jinking his way past two challenges when running onto Tyler Garratt's long throw, only to slip at the vital moment when entering the Brentford box.

At the other end, Bradley Clayton dragged a late shot wide while Holldack saw a long-range effort caress the outside of the post with virtually the last kick of the game as Wanderers confidently saw the game out to claim a comfortable victory in the capital.