B team head coach Neil MacFarlane was once again impressed by the spirit and character showed by his young group as they beat Wealdstone 3-2 late on in the quarter-final of the Middlesex Senior Cup.

The young Bees had the lead at 2-0 before the National League side hit back to level and make it 2-2. Romeo Beckham then grabbed the winner in stoppage time as he fired in at the far post for the side.

Reflecting on the match, MacFarlane said: “I thought it was a terrific game of football. We looked at them coming into the game and Wealdstone are playing some terrific football at the moment with a really good style of play. I like what they’re doing a lot at the moment and their confidence shows why they’re up there challenging (in the National League.)

“I thought we started so well, the first 25 minutes of the game I thought we were electric. We scored two terrific goals and could have scored more then Wealdstone changed their shape to go 4-3-3 and they grew into the game. We didn’t give up anything in the first half, no opportunities in the final third and it was a terrific strike right on the stroke of half-time into the top corner which pegged us back a little bit. I didn’t think in the second half we played anywhere near the levels that we’ve played at in the last few months but we showed an unbelievable desire and mentality and, again, our subs made an impact tonight.”

The B team were able to hand Frank Onyeka 60 minutes of game time as he continues his recovery from injury. MacFarlane was pleased to see another first team player, alongside Fin Stevens, build minutes with his group and he was impressed with the Nigerian international.

He continued: “We’re delighted to see him back after being out for a while with injury. Over the last two months or so whoever has come down from the first team it’s been important for them to get minutes but also to help our young group as well. Frank was no different to that, he got on the high press for the second goal so I’m really pleased for him.”

With the squad all pushing for minutes for the side at the moment, MacFarlane was pleased to see those who came onto the pitch make an impact as Beckham finished well at the far post to seal the win from a Conor McManus cross.

He explained: “The subs have been making a real impact. Against Huddersfield a month or so ago I didn’t feel the subs made an impact that day but ever since that and the discussion we had I feel that anytime someone has come onto the pitch for the final half hour they’ve really given us that drive. If we take our trip to Portugal against Halmstads all the subs came on and got us the deserved victory. Tonight it was creeping towards penalty kicks but we found a way to get the goal. Conor, who was fantastic down the left, got the cross in and Romeo got in between the sticks which is what we want all of our attacking players to do and get us over the line. I’m really pleased for the group.”