Brentford Under-18s rounded off their pre-season campaign on Tuesday afternoon as they faced Phoenix All Stars Football Academy at Bedfont Sports Club.

Lydia Bedford was able to see her side in action for the final time before the young Bees kick start their South East Youth Alliance League campaign on Saturday 5 July against Sutton United in a 11am kick-off.

In a match that saw Brentford include all 21 players in their squad, Under-19s outfit Phoenix All Stars Football Academy edged a 3-2 win despite a strong second half performance from Bedford’s team.

The first half saw the more senior Phoenix All Stars side use their physicality to put pressure on a young Brentford side with goalkeeper Connor Wolfheimer called into action a few times early on.

Remy Bennison, who was playing as a right-back rather than his usual left-back position, came close to putting Brentford ahead on 20 minutes following a powerful strike from 25-yards which was saved well by the opposition’s keeper.

Despite some good spells of play Brentford found themselves three goals down going into the break as Phoenix All Stars, who pride themselves of being built with some of the most talented players coming out of Kingston, Jamaica, scored all three of their goals after the half-hour mark.

Bedford made nine changes at half-time as the under-18s' head coach looked to utilise her full squad ahead of the season opener on Saturday. B team players Marley Tavaziva and Byron Wilson were introduced to the game as Brentford played out a much improved second half.

Beaux Booth also featured for the Under-18s side

Greg Asemokhai, who added solidity to the young Bees back-line and linked up well with full-back Freddie Taylor throughout the second period, netted for the side following a powerful header after the centre-back met a Kaya Halil cross on 79 minutes.

Brentford began to grow in confidence following their goal with Ollie Shield, previously of Southampton, finding himself in space between the Phoenix back line and midfield. It was the winger who was awarded a penalty five minutes from time after making an excellent run into the box before being brought down by the opposition’s defender.

A trialist then saw his spot kick saved before tucking home the rebound as Brentford’s late resurgence eventually came to no avail.

Brentford under-18s first half: Wolfheimer, Ivanov, Grey, Headman, Bennison, Booth, Francis, Trialist, King, Peters, Djoro

Brentford under-18s second half: Tavaziva, Ivanov (Payet, 55’), Wilson, Grey (Asemokhai, 55’), Taylor, Halil, Booth, Shield, Trialist, King, Trialist