Peterborough United U21s 1 Brentford U21s 1: Beau Redknapp on target but late equaliser delays Bees' PDL title celebrations
Peterborough United U21s 1 Brentford U21s 1: Beau Redknapp on target but late equaliser delays Bees' PDL title celebrations Brentford Under-21s have all but secured the Professional Development League title following a 1-1 draw against Peterborough United Under-21s on Tuesday afternoon at Weston Homes Stadium. Beau Redknapp scored the first-half goal that looked to have clinched the title but Ejiro Abbey grabbed a late equaliser with the final kick of the game to push back title celebrations for the young Bees. It was a confident start from the west Londoners and on 10 minutes the opener came through Redknapp who steered in an accurate side-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net after fine work on the wing from Domeiro Bobb-Semple and Theo Mawene .
It should have been two soon after as Joseph Wheeler-Henry put in a perfect cross which found the head of Caelan Avenell but the defender headed from close range straight at Bastian Smith in the Peterborough net. Edward Fox had a massive opportunity to level the scoreline for the home side but just as he looked certain to score, Luca Picotto made an incredible tackle to deny the midfielder. Just before the half-time whistle, the away side countered their opponents with a fast break as Michel Boni led the charge, whipping in a great cross but Redknapp's diving header flew wide.
It was a scrappy beginning to the second period as the Posh dominated the ball, whilst Brentford were content with remaining compact within their shape. For all the posession, the home side struggled to create anything to threaten Reggie Rose's goal. As the half progressed, the Bees grew in confidence and almost scored through a Conor McManus header from a corner.
Boni had an opportunity to seal the win in style as he was found in the area unmarked by Wheeler-Henry but his attempted shot flew over the bar. Abbey in the final moments of the game grabbed a late equaliser for the away side with what was the last kick of the game. That goal delays the celebrations for the Bees as they are now three points ahead of Sheffield United heading into the final day but a superior goal difference means that the team are all but winners of the PDL.
Saunders' side close out their league campaign on Sunday 19 April as they take on Swansea City at Gtech Community Stadium. Peterborough United U21s: Smith, Freeman (Christoudias 46), Andrews (Davies 37), O'Brien-Brady, De Mendonca, Nevett (Bushell 46), McWilliams-Marcano, Fox, Abbey, Sycut Changunda 62), Odoh Subs not used: Bucknor Booked : Christoudias 56, Abbey 68 Brentford U21s: Rose, Wheeler-Henry, Picotto (Asemokhai 90+6), Avenell, McManus, Grey, Bobb-Semple, Redknapp (Klimas 87), Boni, Pierre (Ogungbemi 87), Mawene (Trimboli 90+3) Subs not used: Tavaziva, Booked : Wheeler-Henry 41