Two for Mepham as Brentford youngsters beat Man Utd reserves

Chris Mepham scored twice on his 19th birthday as Brentford B beat a Manchester United reserve side 3-2 at Griffin Park on Saturday.

In a friendly arranged as part of the deal that saw Bees youngster Josh Bohui join United in August, the home side went ahead after 12 minutes when Mepham drilled in from distance.

They doubled the lead midway through the first half when Herson Alves headed in Reece Cole’s cross.

United’s Matthew Willock produced a great save from Brentford keeper Dominic Kurasik while at the other end, the Bees’ Tom Field struck the post.

Mepham’s perfect day continued after the break when he lashed home to make it 3-0 after Emmanuel Onariase had knocked down a 59th-minute corner.

However, United – in their first game since development squad boss Warren Joyce left to take over at Wigan – were far from finished as they scored twice in seven minutes.

First, Joe Riley curled in 20 yards and then, after Kurasik had brilliantly denied Devonte Redmond, Sean Goss beat him with a low shot from just outside the box.

Bohui made a 12-minute cameo appearance against his former club and almost got an equaliser but his effort went just wide.