Brentford B head coach Neil MacFarlane was left with real pride in his team as they progressed to the knockout stages of the Premier League Cup after a 2-0 win over Peterborough United at the Weston Homes Stadium.

The young Bees only needed a point from the game but managed to grab all three with a fantastic performance full of togetherness and energy as goals from Aaron Pressley and Edon Pruti earned the points.

MacFarlane was unable to call upon a number of B Team players due to First Team involvement as well as some illness. The likes of 17-year-olds Bryon Wilson and Isaac Holland impressed whilst Kyreece Lisbie played as a wing back and Max Dickov was deployed in central midfield.

Reflecting on the win as the young Bees rounded off their 2022 fixtures, the B Team head coach said: “I think it’s an amazing way to end 2022. It was an absolutely colossal effort from the team. We had a situation where a number of our players, who have featured pretty prominently in the opening four games of this tournament weren’t here today, and even this morning we had some changes as we lost Alex (Gilbert) through illness.

“We were so together, to a man we were absolutely magnificent. I think that it shows you the work on the training ground and that no matter who goes in and we’re flexible in our shape we can adjust to it. Everybody knows their roles and responsibilities both with and without the ball today- their work ethic was phenomenal and in particular the high pressing where we really caused them so many problems where we could’ve scored more. Yes, we could have conceded in a little spell in the first half where we were a little untidy but in general, I thought we deserved the win and to qualify for the next stage of this tournament in such a tough group. The boys should be hugely proud of themselves.”

Discussing the players who came into the team who haven’t necessarily had too many minutes in the Premier League Cup so far this season, MacFarlane was impressed with the players that stood up to the test.

He continued: “That’s why we train so intensely because you have to be ready, that’s football. You never know when you’re going to be called upon. Every single player in the dressing room, whether they started or came on, played a huge part.”

It was another goal for Pressley as he continued his return to full fitness with a smart finish as he latched onto a clever ball through from Angel Waruih. Discussing the goal, MacFarlane was impressed with the strike but was unable to solely praise one player following a fantastic team effort.

“It’s great to see him (Aaron) get game time and back playing 90 minutes,” said the B Team head coach. “It was a terrific goal, and what a pass from Angel who I thought again was exceptional in the middle of the park with Max Dickov. It’s difficult to single out anybody because even if you look further back on the pitch young Byron (Wilson) was absolutely outstanding, marshalled by Edon (Pruti) and Val (Adedokun) as a back three. No matter where we put players today, Kyreece (Lisbie) out on the left or Isaac (Holland) out on the right, they were outstanding. Michael (Olakigbe) and J’Neil (Bennett) pressed really well.”

Having gone in front it took the team just one more minute to double their lead when Pruti headed home from Adedokun’s corner as they capitalised on their pressure going forward whilst remaining solid at the back.

MacFarlane continued: “It was a great response from us after getting our first goal. We went right back on the high press and pushed them back. It was a terrific delivery from Val for Edon to score. We’ve always been a threat from set pieces and if you flip it to the other end, we dealt with theirs. It was really pleasing to keep a clean sheet, and overall it’s a brilliant ending as we head into Christmas. We have so much to look forward to the new year.”

The young Bees were also able to give J’Neil Bennett his first taste of action since he signed for the team. Having returned from injury, the young winger impressed on the day with his pressing and link up play going forwards.

“He (J’Neil) showed good levels of fitness to keep going and showed flashes of real brilliance,” said MacFarlane. “He will only improve going into 2023. We have to keep improving, the boys should all be proud of themselves and as a staff we’re proud of them. We’re driving the players to get better and better and it’s a real team effort and I’m hugely proud of them.”