Brentford were defeated 3-1 by a high-flying young Watford side at their UCL Training Ground in the Under-18 Professional Development League Two South this morning.

The Bees conceded early goals and, despite a second-half revival, could only find the net right at the end of the game. Zach Birse scored a spectacular goal from long range with three minutes left, which proved only to be a consolation.

Michael Folivi scored two goals either side of a Dion Pereira strike to secure all three points, as well as The Hornets’ third straight victory in the league.

Jon De Souza made three changes to the side that beat Millwall two weeks ago. Cameron Greaves started in goal, with Tyrick Mitchell and Courtney Austin also returning to the starting line-up.

The hosts attacked from the first whistle, pushing Brentford onto the defensive during the early stages. Greaves did well to parry a header from Treon Johnson away from danger during the first few exchanges.

Watford took the lead after four minutes. A low cross from the left by Brandon Mason deflected its way through the box to Folivi, who couldn’t miss from only a few yards out.

Brentford’s best chances came when Julius Fenn-Evans put a hopeful effort just north of the crossbar, then Austin turned his marker to force Andrew Thomas into a low save.

David Horseman’s side doubled their lead inside the first 20 minutes. A whipped ball in from the right by Folivi was parried by Greaves, but the ball was followed up powerfully into the roof of the net by Pereira.

The Golden Boys could have had a third just moments later when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area. Folivi curled a shot over the wall but Greaves got up well to tip the ball around the post.

It took a long spell of possession in the centre of the pitch for The Bees to settle into the game. Once they did, they looked dangerous on the counter.

After half an hour, Kingsley Eshun had a low drive blocked before Birse nodded a corner narrowly wide of the target.

Just before the break, Josh Bohui slipped a ball behind the defence for Fenn-Evans to latch onto. His strike was deflected up wildly but Thomas was able to adjust his dive and just managed to save the wayward shot.

In the second half, Watford rallied and soon found a third goal. Folivi was again the scorer, this time he took a moment to set himself just outside the box before curling the ball neatly into the top corner. Greaves was rooted as the shot appeared late from behind a crowd of yellow and blue shirts.

Just after an hour of football, substitute Ogo Obi crept behind the Brentford back four to clip a shot off the bar.

At the other end, Fenn-Evans sent a dangerous cross to the far post after a perfect pass to set him up from Bohui. Danny Parish couldn’t make a clean connection under pressure and the ball fizzed narrowly north of the goal.

The away team gathered momentum heading into the final 10 minutes and continued to work hard down the wings.

Reece Cole very nearly benefitted from such tenacity when he was crossed the ball only to have his effort blocked on the line by Watford captain Charlie Rowan.

With only a few minutes left, Brentford set off on another counter-attack in the hope of getting something from the game. As Birse crossed the halfway line he noticed goalkeeper Thomas standing a little too far off his line. Without breaking stride, the centre-back knocked the ball straight over Thomas’ head into the net.

There was still time for one last attempt, as Cole saw a low shot turned wide by the goalkeeper.

In the end, Watford held on to claim the points and end October unbeaten. Brentford now look ahead to hosting Colchester United next Saturday.

Watford U18: Andrew Thomas; Andrew Eleftheriou, Charlie Rowan (c), Connor Stevens, Brandon Mason; Joshua Roe, Max Makaka (sub Max Ryan 69 mins), Trialist; Dion Pereira, Michael Folivi (sub Louis Rogers 84 mins), Treon Johnson (sub Ogo Obi 59 mins) Subs Not Used: Jamie Lacy, Jubril Adedeji

Brentford U18: Cameron Greaves; Luke Dunn (sub George Harmes 57 mins), Chris Mepham (c), Zach Birse, Tyrick Mitchell; Juan Pablo Gonzalez Valasco (sub Tony Guppy 66 mins), Julius Fenn-Evans, Reece Cole, Josh Bohui; Courtney Austin, Kingsley Eshun (sub Danny Parish 57 mins)