“When [Isaac Holland] went to the byline, I was thinking ‘there’s not much chance that I will be able to get in between the ‘keeper and the defender, so can I drop back a bit and manage to get it?’.
Iwan Morgan was recalling his goal after helping the Young Bees return to winning ways in the Professional Development League last week, in a 2-0 win over Birmingham City Under-21s.
“I knew the ‘keeper was going to dive low because the full-back was standing up straight, so I thought ‘anything high, even if he gets a little tip, it’s going to go in’. It was a decent little finish by myself."
It was a game where the spotlight was on Aaron Hickey's long-awaited return from injury, in which the 22-year-old produced a sublime curling effort to open the scoring during what was his first match for the club since Brentford's 2-0 win over Chelsea in October 2023.
Two minutes later, however, Morgan stamped his mark on proceedings as he showed great composure and awareness to evade a defender’s advances inside of the area before lifting the ball over the diving goalkeeper.
It was his 9th league goal of the campaign and his fourth in two games, having scored a hat-trick as Neil MacFarlane’s side defeated Ipswich Town U21s 5-2 at Wheatsheaf Park a week prior.
The way Morgan played offered insight into his confidence levels as he effortlessly glided past defenders to get into dangerous positions and was proving a valuable outlet in attack.
At one point he received possession inside of his own half then ran 30 yards with the ball, brushing past four players down the right - only to be brough to a halt by the pulling of his shirt. Much to his visible frustration.
He was an inspired figure having just got his first taste of a Premier League matchday following his involvement in the first team squads against Leicester City and Everton in February.
His maiden top-flight experience, albeit in an unused capacity, came under the lights at the King Power Stadium. For Morgan, it provided the opportunity to take a closer look at a player he took inspiration from.
"I was watching Jamie Vardy, who I’ve watched since I was a young kid," he told VAVEL.
"Seeing him in the flesh was really unbelievable. Watching him live, you can learn so much from the opposition."
He may have enjoyed watching on as Vardy terrorised Ethan Pinnock in the opening stages; twisting and turning the centre-back before being denied by Mark Flekken - though it's not something he'll admit if asked.
Sat alongside Ben Mee on the bench, Morgan took the opportunity to tap into a wealth of experience that includes 286 top-flight appearances, and he was a keen observant on how his team-mates prepared for the match.
"[It was] a great experience for me. As young kid that’s all I’ve really dreamed of, trying to play for a Premier League team.
“Signing here was a great achievement, basically my dream come true, so that to be added to a first-team game was an unbelievable experience."
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Stepping up to the plate
Brentford's win over Leicester saw the very best of Thomas Frank's front four, who are having an outstanding season as the team sits of the periphery of the European spots.
Yoane Wissa, Bryan Mbeumo, and Mikkel Damsgaard were all influential on the night, with the former two getting on the score sheet while the latter registered his 9th and 10th league assist of the campaign.
The trio, plus Kevin Schade, have contributed 37 of their 48 top-flight goals this season, with the club the only one in the Premier League this season to have two players in double figures - Mbeumo (15) and Wissa (13).
Brentford B have followed suit and boast an even more impressive record, scoring an outstanding 51 goals in 21 league matches - averaging 2.4 per match - as they sit atop the south division.
The Young Bees have been blessed with prolific strikers this season, with Ashley Hay scoring 14 goals in 15 matches (all comps.), including a hat-trick against QPR U21s, before joining Cheltenham Town on loan.
Kyreece Lisbie also contributed eight goals and three assists in 18, scoring a brace a Premier League Cup draw with Chelsea U21s in his final appearance before a permanent move to Colchester United in January.
"They’ve definitely been a huge miss, especially going out on loan, but I believe they’re both doing really well and I’ve glad for them to go and have that first team experience," Morgan added.
While their contribution to the team had a big impact, the goals have not dried up, with Morgan stepping up to take on the lead role and has been in fine form in 2025.
An outside figure on the scoring front during the first half of the league season, scoring just five times, the 19-year-old was still a key component as he supported the centre-forward in 3-4-3 and 4-2-3-1 setups.
Since the turn of the year, however, Morgan has already equalled that tally after scoring in a 3-0 win over former club Swansea City last time out. He also has goals in cup wins against Bournemouth U21s and IFK Goteborg.
"As a striker all you want to do is score goals," he explained.
"But for me, as an individual, I just want to try to play well, [be] consistent every week, and if I get a goal that’s a bonus. For me, I just try and do what I can individually."
Adding more goals to his game is something he has previously spoke about and if recent form is to go by, he is capable of taking on the scoring responsibility as he is set to lead the line for the remainder of the season.
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Learning from an all-time leading scorer
Morgan is so much more than a scorer, he's also a facilitator, so adding consistent goals to his game will make him a valuable commodity to not only MacFarlane's side but Brentford as a whole.
Watching Morgan's game closely, you can see where he's been influenced by Vardy in his dogged nature out of possession, a willingness to run in behind, and clever movement inside the box to fashion an opportunity.
Though, subjectively speaking, there are elements of Wissa too, in his strength receiving the ball to feet, bringing team-mates into play, and a capability to drive with the ball into advanced positions from deep.
When in discussion with him after the game against Birmingham, one interrupted twice as the groundsmen conducted their post-match duties, the comparison was brought up.
"I really look up to Wissa, he’s got such technical qualities I haven’t seen for a while, especially as a striker," he admitted to VAVEL.
"I do try to analyse my game around him, especially [with] me hoping to get to the first team. I’ve got to analyse what he’s doing and try to recreate that in an Under-21s game."
Wissa provides an outstanding role model as he tussles with Mbeumo for the status as Brentford's all-time leading goal scorer in the Premier League, with the duo surpassing Ivan Toney's tally this year.
The DR Congo international was handed the captaincy during the win against Leicester and is an ever-developing leader in the first-team.
With someone like Wissa to look up and recent first-team exposure under his belt, Morgan is in a healthy position as Brentford B push for silverware on three fronts come the end of the season.
Following in the footsteps of Hay, Tony Yogane, and Ryan Trevitt by leaving on loan is an option he will consider should it arise, but Morgan feels he is in a strong environment to continue his development.
