Midfielder Jonathan Tlalim grabbed a hat-trick as Islington & Camden Under-15s ran riot in the second half to claim a resounding 6-0 victory against Brent.

Although the I&C boys took an early lead through Dean O’Shaughnessy, they were under pressure for most of the first half before throwing off the shackles.

Half-time substitute Tlalim netted three times, with Samuel Ababio and Moein Tadayon also on the scoresheet – but coach Andy Taylor was keen to emphasise the importance of his side’s defensive display.

“Scoring five in the second half was fantastic but it was our defensive performance, when we were under the cosh for the best part of 40 minutes, that won us the game,” said Taylor.

“It was probably summed up by forward Dean O’Shaughnessy, who at one point tracked a Brent player from their box all the way to ours.

“Our two centre-halves, Mathew Kanjeyo and Moein Tadayon, were immaculate, especially in the first half when we were under so much pressure.”

The home side went ahead inside five minutes after Frankie McCarthy and Ozcan Guneysu combined to release Franklin Domi on the left and his cross was dispatched by O’Shaughnessy into the bottom corner.

Brent, playing down the sloping pitch, then proceeded to apply sustained pressure and it needed a supreme effort from the I&C rearguard to ensure that goalkeeper Jonty Purdom remained untroubled.

But Islington & Camden went on the offensive after the break and striker Maurice Lebbie fired a chance wide before setting up Tlalim to slot in his first of the game.

The visitors conceded a string of corners and that proved fatal as Guneysu swung one in for Tlalim to make it 3-0, and another which was converted by Ababio.

Nikki Marshall supplied assists for the last two I&C goals, with Tlalim nodding home the first to complete his treble and Tadayon heading in another corner.

Islington & Camden: Akguc (Central Foundation), Appah, Ababio, Lebbie, Luyindula (St Aloysius), Domi (St Mary Magdalene), Guneysu (City of London Academy Islington), McCarthy, O’Shaughnessy (Haverstock), Kisunga, D Marshall, N Marshall (Holloway), Kanjeyo, Purdom, Tadayon, Williams-Cavder (University College London), Tlalim (William Ellis).

Islington & Camden Under-12s recovered from an early setback to secure an impressive 3-2 victory away to Brent.

I&C fell behind to a well-executed free-kick that beat goalkeeper Luke Moulton, but a low, accurate finish from Jahrel O’Neill-Henry drew them level soon afterwards.

And the visitors snatched the lead before half-time following a superb 12-pass move, with Jack Whisker playing in the pacy Trevelle Reid, who beat the defence and chipped into the corner of the net.

It took I&C time to adjust to a half-time reshuffle and Moulton produced some key saves to preserve their lead before Tommy Silva set up Adam Damaan for a left-foot strike that made it 3-1.

Although Brent reduced the deficit with a penalty 10 minutes from time, central defenders Lorik Luppi and Mason McBride held firm to seal the win for their side.

Islington & Camden: Damaan (Hampstead), Fredrick, Conteh, Ricketts (Maria Fidelis), Moulton (City of London Academy Islington), Mohamed (IAMS), Silva (Regents High), Dube (UCL), Reid, Nelson, Luppi (Highbury Grove), Whisker, McBride (Holloway), O’Neill-Henry, Tani (St. Aloysius’), Mulvihill, Smith, Brook (Haverstock).

Islington & Camden Under-13s were overwhelmed 7-0 by a strong Brent side in their Compton Cup fixture at St Aloysius’ College.

Brent debutant Lamar Newby netted a first-half hat-trick and went on to add another after the break, while there were few opportunities for the home side to respond.

“We’re still learning as a group and getting used to playing 11-a-side football,” said I&C coach Jim de Garis. “Brent were outstanding – it’ll certainly take a strong team to beat them.”

Islington & Camden: DaCosta, Evert, Farrell, Rincon, O’Malley (St Aloysius), Smith, Julian (Holloway), Parchment, Litchmore (Hampstead), Khaleel (William Ellis), Bentham (Acland Burghley), Vogel (UCL), Stephenson (IAMS).