While not a primary focus coming into this season, Brentford B midfielder Ethan Brierley says he wants to score goals “whenever I can”.

The young Bees’ player of the season in 2023/24, Brierley has added another dimension to his game this campaign, tallying nine goals and three assists so far.

A hat-trick performance against Derby County away from home leads the way for Brierley, while a brace against Charlton Athletic to kick off the new year began his 2025 with a bang.

“That’s much more than last season and much more than I’ve scored ever, really. I think I’m in good form, I’ve just got to keep it up,” explained Brierley.

“I’d always want to score goals whenever I can. I’ve been playing a bit higher up, so I think I’m getting in the positions.

“I feel like I’m quite a good finisher, so as long as I’m in the positions and the ball comes to me, I feel quite confident in putting it in the net.”

Brierley’s good form has coincided with the young Bees’ superb run of performances and results, which have seen them rocket to the top of the Professional Development League (PDL) south group table.

After injuries crushed the squad in the early stages of the season, Brierley said the work the group has put in on the training pitch since then has helped them get back to winning form.

“I think we had quite a slow start to the season, had a few bad results. But in the past couple of months as a team we’ve all been playing much better, we’re playing as a team, we’re hardly losing,” said Brierley.

“I think it’s a lot to do with the training. When we went to Sheffield United and got battered, we’ve done a lot on the training ground since then and Neil [MacFarlane] and Saunds [Sam Saunders] knew what we needed to get better at.

“We’ve put the work in on the training ground and it’s showing now in games.”

The chemistry within the squad has played no small part too, while the players’ relationships with MacFarlane and Saunders has ensured the strong bond runs from the top down.

“They [MacFarlane and Saunders] have been great, they’re like friends. Obviously, we know they’re our coaches and we have to respect them, but Neil and Saunds treat us with so much respect as well and they’re like our mates,” said Brierley.

“It’s been great, everyone’s really close, everyone really likes each other, everyone’s mates.

“Everyone’s always joking around and putting the hard work in on the training pitch and you can see during games, everyone’s bonding and playing well, so it’s great.”

While still only 21 years old, Brierley has enjoyed a busy football career to date.

A product of Rochdale’s academy, Brierley rose up to the first team, playing 25 league games in the 2022/23 Sky Bet League Two season before joining Brentford B.

While the priorities change within the B team set-up compared to a first team environment, Brierley has enjoyed his time at Jersey Road.

He added that he is keeping himself ready should a first-team loan move present itself, however.

“It’s been good, I’ve enjoyed it. The lads made it pretty easy because I got on with everyone straight away and felt quite close with everyone,” explained Brierley.

“The football’s a bit different, it’s a lot more tactical here, but then it’s easier in some areas, you’re not up against 6ft 5in men that just want to kick you.

“There’s good things and then there’s also things that I miss about playing men’s football, but I enjoy it.

“I think I’ve just got to keep playing well, keep scoring goals, keep being involved in goals and then hopefully I’ll get a good loan sometime soon.”