Brentford goalkeeper Mark Smith is hoping an extended stay at Hampton & Richmond Borough can give him a leg up in his professional career.

The in-form 19-year-old agreed a new deal with the Ryman Premier Leaguue promotion chasers this week that will see him remain at the Beveree until January.

Smith had initially joined the club on a 28-day loan agreement to provide competition for former AFC Wimbledon keeper Seb Brown.

But the ex-Don left the club earlier this month due to work commitments away from the game and Smith, who had a spell at the Beveree last season, has impressed in his place.

Bees one number David Button earned a place in the Chamionship team of the week after his display in Saturday's 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

And Smith, who had been linked with National League teams Welling United and Wealdstone in the summer, reckons remaining at the Beveree will give him the best chance of progressing his ambitions. 

 

“Competition for first team football at Brentford is obviously fierce, so it’s important for me to play regularly to continue to show what I’m about and to gain match fitness,"he said.

"Playing for Hampton & Richmond has given me regular football. As a professional footballer, these things are important, as you need to be ready to seize the opportunity when it arises.

“David [Button] has been brilliant for Brentford over the past couple of seasons. He deserves all the praise that he receives, and I have learned a lot from him and Richard Lee, who was with the club up until the end of last season.

“You could say that I get the best of both worlds at the moment.  I continue to train with the Brentford first team during the week, and play for a Hampton side who are doing well and have their sights on promotion.

“I feel in great shape at the moment and I’m hungry to take the next step forward in my professional career.

"Having the opportunity to extend my loan with Hampton will provide a really good stepping-stone to help me to achieve this."