Brent's Under-13 boys team played their first game of the season on Saturday at home to Barnet, winning their Compton Cup match by 4-3.
The team started the match fantastically well and pressed Banet in all areas of the pitch. Robert Perry in goal was a great outlet and used his football skills well. Rahman Yesufu who is usually a winger played at centre-back and made a great start to the game. Team Captain Alfie's Bates and Liam Gibson made up the three at the back alongside Yesufu and were solid and composed throughout.
Brent's early pressure told when Theo Alexandrou got on the ball on the edge of the box,turned sharply and struck the ball into the bottom corner. It was a superb finish to open the scoring. Alexandrou is playing up a year, which is a testament to his quality and potential.
Brent kept up their pressure and dominance new addition to the squad Tyrese Okello beat the two central defenders before another great finish made the score 2-0.
Brent's midfield dominated play during the first half. TJ Kabala, Carlos Bain, James Wall,Kieran Marshall and Jamie Alcantara- Sacopon were powerful, worked together as a unit and played with real quality.
Soon, Brent's lead was 3-0 when Okello was put through on goal, producing another tidy finish to score his second goal and complete the scoring for the first half.
Brent's coaches made some changes at half time and the momentum of the game changed slightly. Barnet pressed their hosts and their hard work was rewarded with a goal to make the score 3-1.
Brent bounced back and got a fourth courtesy of Richardo Rus who jinked past 2 players and struck a 25 yard shot from the right flank which the visiting 'keeper had no chance with.
Barnet did not give up and scored two amazing goals to make the score 4-3. Despite a tense finish to the match, Brent stayed resolute and battled through to the final whistle and an opening-day victory.
Man of the match: Rahman Yesufu, for a great performance all round.
Squad: Robert Perry Smith (Queen's Park Community School), Tshala Kabala (Ark Academy), Tyrese Okello (St. Gregory's Roman Catholic Science College), Ricardo Mullings (Ark Elvin Academy), Carlos Bain (Queen's Park Community School), Marc Valderrama (Queen's Park Community School), Rahman Yesufu (Preston Manor High School), Kieran Marshall (Preston Manor High School), James Wall (Queen's Park Community School), Richardo Rus (Kingsbury High School), Liam Gibson (St. Gregory's Roman Catholic Science College), Theo Alexandrou (Queen's Park Community School), Pablo Miguel (Queen's Park Community School), Jaime Alcantata-Sacopon (St. Gregory's Roman Catholic Science College), Alfie James Bates (Captain) (Wembley High Technology College)