Brentford Under-21s are gearing up for their first league match of the new year against league leaders Charlton Athletic. Set to kick off on Tuesday, January 7, at 1 PM, the match will take place at Wheatsheaf Park, promising to be an engaging contest between two strong sides.
Young Bees defender Josh Stephenson has expressed his enthusiasm about his time at Brentford B, highlighting how smoothly he has integrated with his teammates since joining the squad. 'The lads have been so consistent,' Stephenson said. 'They have made it so easy for me to fit in and play with confidence.'
Reflecting on his adaptation to the team, Stephenson admitted, 'I did not think I would have settled in this quickly, if I'm honest, and I just want to thank my coaches and my teammates for their support.'
Stephenson has taken on various roles on the pitch, playing both center-back and left-back. He believes this versatility will benefit his development as a player. 'It is also always good to have great chemistry with your teammates; we are all on the same page and on the same wavelength. I want to continue pushing and improving - that's the only way I can progress to being the player I want to be,' he explained.
Looking forward to the challenge, he acknowledged the quality of the opposition, stating, 'Charlton will be a tough test, but these are the sorts of games we want to be involved in consistently as this will push us.' This sentiment reflects the team’s determination and readiness to face formidable adversaries.
Brentford’s last outing was on December 30, 2024, where they celebrated a decisive 3-0 victory against Bournemouth at Wheatsheaf Park. An impressive performance included two goals from Ashley Hay and another from Ben Krauhaus, ensuring the team remains in strong form.
Currently, Brentford Under-21s are positioned second, just two points behind Charlton Athletic, who have set the pace with 31 points from 16 games this season. Charlton's record includes nine wins, four draws, and three losses, showcasing their strong start to the season. Notably, Brentford has been on quite the streak, only suffering one league defeat since September against Cardiff City.
Fans of both clubs can look forward to match updates on social media alongside match reports and highlights available on brentfordfc.com and the official Brentford app following the game. With such close competition at the top of the table, this match promises to be pivotal for both teams as they strive to secure valuable points.