A young Exeter City side fell to their first defeat of the season in the Premier League Cup in West London.
After a tight first 45, a trio of strikes in the second half saw Brentford B pick up the three points with a 3-0 victory.
Kevin Nicholson took charge of the City team, and named a youthful side that also included a return to action for Jake Doyle-Hayes, who is making his comeback from injury. Liam Oakes was named captain for the match.
First half
The hosts opened the brighter of the two sides, finding early joy down City’s left. A pair of dangerous crosses were whipped across Franke Phillips’ six-yard box, but fortunately for the young Grecians no one was on hand to apply the finishing touch.
The Bees registered the first effort on goal after five minutes. A loose touch on the edge of the area saw the ball break kindly for McManus, but he snatched at the chance and sent his shot rising over the bar.
Despite enjoying plenty of early possession, the hosts struggled to carve out clear openings in the first fifteen minutes. Owen tried his luck from distance on 12 minutes, but Phillips gathered comfortably. Moments later, the lively McManus found space on the edge of the box, only to curl his effort harmlessly over.
City created the game’s first big opportunity on 17 minutes. Liam Oakes and Tom Dean combined neatly down the right, and Dean’s low delivery deflected into the path of George Birch. Birch spun sharply and fired towards goal, but his close-range effort was blocked behind.
The Grecians began to settle and grow into the contest after the twenty-minute mark, stringing together some excellent build-up play through Oakes, Birch, and Dean that stretched the Bees’ back line. Their pressure was rewarded with a corner, though the hosts dealt with it well.
Phillips was called into action again on 26 minutes. Morgan worked space just outside the area and unleashed a swerving strike that the City keeper did well to push away with strong hands.
Soon after, patient play down City’s right presented Birch with another opening inside the Brentford box, but his first-time effort went straight at Rose.
The hosts mustered a couple of half chances before the break, but City defended their area resolutely, ensuring the sides went in level at half-time.
Second half
Kevin Nicholson made a change at the break, with Doyle-Hayes completing his planned 45 minutes on his return from injury. Coach David Perkins entered the fray to add experience and game management to an otherwise very young side.
The game burst into life after 57 minutes when a long goal kick from Phillips caught out the Brentford back line. George Birch reached the ball first before being clattered by Bees’ goalkeeper Rose some 25 yards from goal, an incident that earned the keeper a yellow card.
Brentford broke the deadlock on the hour. Morgan struck the post from a corner, City failed to fully clear, and the recycled ball was headed in by Stephenson, the first goal City had conceded in the competition this season.
The hosts doubled their advantage in the 77th minute. Shield surged down the right and delivered a dangerous low cross into the box, where substitute Pierre arrived to smash home, leaving City with a mountain to climb.
Any hopes of a late fightback were extinguished when the Bees added a third in style. Substitute Boni found space just outside the area and unleashed a powerful drive into the top corner, giving Phillips no chance.
City were unable to muster a response and returned to Devon empty-handed, though they remain in a strong position in the group.
Match information
Exeter City XI: Phillips (GK), Dean, Cummins, James, Alsop, Horn (Williams 78'), Doyle-Hayes (Perkins 45'), Cayless, Oakes, Birch, Wilson.
Subs not used: Bown, Graham, Appleton,
Yellow Cards: Doyle-Hayes 43'
Brentford B XI: Rose (GK), McKnight, McManus, Stephenson, Headman, Konak, Shield, Owen, Morgan, Bentt, Grey.
Subs: Picotto, Holland, Pierre, Olakigbe, Boni.
Goals: Stephenson 61', Pierre 77' Boni 87'.