Brentford deal gives young players a great opportunity, says Isledon Wolves coach

The Holloway club have become an official partner of Brentford’s youth academy, with Wolves Under-14 player Danai Kapfunde joining the Bees as part of the deal.

The League One promotion chasers will get first pick of other promising Wolves youngsters and, under the arrangement, will also provide support, training and equipment for the club if required.

Wolves’ head coach David Byrne, who set up the deal with Brentford’s head of youth recruitment Shaun O’Connor, said: “His ideas about producing players are the same as ours at Isledon Wolves.

“I liked the way Shaun talked about football and that convinced me to link up with Brentford. The agreement will enable us to give some young people in Holloway and Islington a chance in football.

“We will be able to produce players at a decent level and get kids off the street. This partnership gives them a chance.

“We have a lot of talented young players and there is now a path for them if they are good enough. Our club is developing all the time and we want to produce players.

“I do not believe youth football is all about winning trophies – we want to be known as a club that produces professional players. This arrangement will help us attract young players and will then help Brentford.”

Brentford operate a category two academy, which is rated ahead of many other London clubs, and gives them the opportunity to play against some of the biggest clubs in the country.

Bees academy director Ose Aibangee added: “Isledon Wolves is a fantastic club – there is a lot to be admired about the way they coach their players and also develop them as people.

“This partnership gives us the best possible chance to find future professional footballers from that area. I am sure the relationship will be great for all parties.”

n Isledon Wolves Under-13s overturned an early two-goal deficit to claim a point from their 2-2 draw with St John’s Wood City in the Camden & Islington League.

Wolves struggled to find their rhythm as City raced into a 2-0 lead, but Nicky Marshall took advantage of a goalkeeping error to pull one back just before the break.

Man of the match Deniz Dervisoglu came up from the back to equalise in the second half and, although both sides squandered chances, the draw was a fair result.

Mearga Tesfai grabbed a brace as Isledon Wolves Channons (Under-13s) stayed top of the table with a 6-3 victory over St John’s Wood United.

Michael Diver, Hayden Miller, Jay Matate and Terrell Lawrence-Newton were also on the scoresheet for Wolves.

Skipper Keiron Loughney smashed home a late equaliser as Isledon Wolves Under-14s came back to salvage a 2-2 draw against Islington Borough Youth.

Wolves wasted several early chances before two defensive errors led to goals at the other end, but Bradley Carrete fired home to make it 2-1 soon afterwards.

Danai Kapfunde was unlucky not to equalise with a chip that was clawed to safety by the IBY goalkeeper, but Loughney rescued his side, striding through to score in the dying minutes.

Jessie Aldridge hit four goals as Isledon Wolves Under-eights beat the club’s Cubs team 6-3 in the Market Road Development League.

Aldridge opened the scoring, but Henley Wheeler equalised and Louie Hartley put the Cubs 2-1 up with a rebound after goalkeeper Felix Badger had saved his penalty.

However, three more Aldridge goals secured the Wolves’ victory, with Valentino Reid and John Lawton also on the scoresheet. Archie Flynn hit the Cubs’ third goal.

Danai Kapfunde’s thunderous 40-yard drive kept Wolves Under-14s top of the Harrow Youth League with a 1-1 draw against second-placed Bessingby Park Rangers.

Wolves found it hard to move the ball quickly in atrocious conditions and they fell behind in the first half, but gradually Kapfunde took control in midfield.

His long-range strike brought Wolves level after the break while, at the other end, Conrad Katsigazi and Keiron Loughney kept a tight rein on the Rangers forwards.