The Bees were twice pegged back by their non-league opponents but they came out on top in the end with a goal in the second half to make it 3-2 in what was a good run out for the side in pre-season. The trip to Wiltshire afforded the staff a chance to take a look at a selection of Trialists, with the likes of Nathan Young-Coombes, Daniel Oyegoke and Ryan Trevitt given the chance to feature for the First Team in their match at Boreham Wood.

The starting XI featured six signed players with debuts for Max Wilcox and Max Dickov, whilst Nico Jones and Tristan Crama started in defence with Alex Gilbert captaining the side and Ben Winterbottom in goal.

The Bees have forged a positive relationship with Salisbury over the past year following the arrival of former B Team player Dom Jefferies last season. The young midfielder became another player to sign for the young Bees from non-league and went on to captain the side a great deal during 2021/22 before sealing a move to League Two side Gillingham.

Despite not necessarily having played regularly together it was the Brentford side who had an early opportunity on six minutes as one of the Trialists did well down the right before beating his man and delivering a low cross. It was just behind Gilbert as Salisbury managed to clear, but it was very much a warning sign for the home side.

Five minutes later the Trialist striker, who led the line as part of a front three, had a chance at goal when Dickov, who was deployed at right back, crossed well but the forward's header edged just wide of the top right corner.

A couple of minutes later Brentford did get themselves in front and it came from some good impressing. Pressure from the left wing Trialist saw him with the ball back high before combining with the centre forward and slotting home into the bottom right-hand corner from eight or so yards.

Salisbury hadn't seen too much of the ball in the attacking areas but they did get level just a few minutes later when a long ball forward found Ben Thompson, who turned his body well before firing a brilliant half volley into the top corner from distance past Winterbottom.

It was almost 2-1 to Brentford just before the 20-minute mark when the ball was crossed in from the left and fell for Wilcox, who controlled well, before lashing an effort against the cross bar. The ball bounced down but the Salisbury defenders managed to clear the danger.

It became 2-1 to Brentford on 24 minutes when Jones slid in to win possession back high before the initial cross was cleared out into the path of Gilbert. The captain for The Bees then curled a brilliant effort round a crowd of bodies and into the bottom right-hand corner.

In the Salisbury heat, the game settled into a bit more of a rhythm as both sides exchanged possession with The Bees always looking the more dangerous. The left winger Trialist continued to threaten as he crossed on 40 minutes for the centre forward, who shot powerfully at the near post which was saved by the keeper's chest. The winger then followed up the rebound but once again the keeper was equal to it.

The Bees made one change at the break with Roco Rees coming in for Winterbottom in goal as the players continued to build their match fitness.

Just before the hour it was Salisbury who grabbed the game's next goal as Sam Roberts headed home following a corner from the non-league side which the defender nodded in at the far post.

That preceded a host of changes as more Trialists were able to get minutes under their belts to impress as Jones, Crama, Dickov, Wilcox and Gilbert were replaced after a good hour of game time.

It took nine minutes after that for The Bees to go back in front, and it came from a Trialist full back. After Brentford worked the ball well out to the right, he shot from a tight angle to the right of the box as the ball went in off the left-hand post as Neil MacFarlane's side restored their lead and made it 3-2.

The side will now se their sights on a match with Maidenhead Unted on Saturday 16 July at York Road.

Salisbury FC: Gunston-Grey, Davis, Diaz, Wakefield, Roberts, Gillela, Arnold, Mullings, Thompson, Ashton, Goodship

Subs: Cooper, Holmes, Roocroft, O'Callaghan, Penny, Fox

Brentford B (First 60 mins) : Winterbottom (Rees, 45) Trialist, Trialist, Crama, Jones, Trialist, Wilcox, Gilbert, Dickov, Trialist, Trialist

Brentford B (From 60 mins): Rees, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist