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LEISTON 2 BRENTWOOD TOWN 2
(after extra time; Leiston won 4-3 on penalties)
Brentwood just failed to win a trophy for manager Steve Witherspoon in his last game, and Ridgeons Eastern Counties League Leiston took the East Anglian Cup after a penalty shoot out.
The match was played in the rural surroundings of Cornard United FC near Sudbury in Suffolk and it produced an entertaining two hours of football with both sides looking for the win right to the end of extra time.
Brentwood started the first half a little sluggishly after their eleven day break since their last game. However, they had the first real chance in the tenth minute when Sean Thomas had only Jamie Stannard to beat, but the Leiston goalkeeper made the first of a number of good saves. The loose ball fell to Joao Carlos but his goalbound shot was blocked by Leiston skipper Mark Goldfinch.
Almost immediately afterwards Leiston’s Michael Brothers had a sight of goal at the other end but he failed to make good contact and Marc Palmer easily collected.
Brothers and his fellow striker Luke Eagle both had further efforts on goal in the first twenty minutes, while Joao Carlos shot just wide of the Leiston goal after a good run from the left.
Town had another clear chance in the 25th minute when some good skill and an intelligent pass by Thomas put Noble clear but once more Stannard could not be beaten, and they were to regret the miss when Leiston took a 29th minute lead.
A fine move down the left saw Palmer parry the first shot from Pip Boyland but Brothers was on hand and made no mistake as he drove the ball into the net.
Brentwood lost centre back Steve King at half time with a recurrence of his knee injury. Substitute Riki Holmes came on in midfield, and Brentwood played with three at the back for the rest of the game. This gave Town the edge in midfield and they put Leiston under pressure but also made them more susceptible to the breakaway. Palmer was fortunate when his clearance was blocked by Eagle who put the ball in the net only to be penalised for handball. Chris Neville then made a fine tackle as Eagle threatened again just inside the area.
Brentwood equalised in the 60th minute when Donovan Wilson went forward and clipped a pass through to Noble who wasted no time in smashing the ball past Stannard.
The lead only lasted seven minutes as Goldfinch headed a Danny Cunningham corner through a crowd of players to put Leiston 2-1 up.
Noble then scored another fine goal in the 75th minute to draw the sides level once more. Steve Dickinson, who gave another immaculate display at the heart of the Brentwood defence, hit a free kick into the area which Stannard punched but the ball came to Noble who scored with an exquisite header over a crowd of players into the goal.
Substitute Danny Carroll nearly gave Brentwood the lead in the 81st minute but shot over the bar and Brothers forced a good low save from Palmer before the end of the ninety minutes. Palmer who had a hamstring injury was then replaced in goal by Nicky Mitchell who had spent most of the season on the bench as substitute.
Both keepers were in action at the start of extra time with Mitchell saving well from Chris Allen, and Stannard denying Thomas once more when the striker had another one-on-one.
And it was Thomas who could have prevented the penalty shoot out late in the second period of extra time but he side footed just wide from Carroll’s cross.
And so to penalties: Carlos took the first kick and scored; Goldfinch made it 1-1 but Carroll’s kick was saved by Stannard and Cunningham put Leiston ahead; Noble’s shot was then saved by Stannard but Justyn Chenery shot over the bar for Leiston; Dickinson and Thomas netted for Brentwood as did Blake Saker for Leiston, so it was down to Brothers to take his side’s fifth penalty which he confidently despatched to win the cup.
Brentwood Town: Palmer (Mitchell 89), King (Holmes 46), Neville, Dickinson, Wilson, Street, Carlos, Dafter, Thomas, Deane (Carroll 62), Noble
Admission prices are £5, £3 concessions.
The Under 18s are playing Hornchurch on Friday evening (2nd May, Kick off 7.45pm) at The Arena in the semi-final of the Magnus Cup.
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Congratulations to Marc, and his defence, who only conceded one goal in our last six league games.
It is well deserved recognition for Marc who has had an excellent first season with the Club.
Ideally candidates should be experienced in running a first team squad at this level, and capable of progressing us further over the coming years.
In the first instance we are requesting interested applicants to submit a comprehensive CV for consideration, to Mr Brian Hallett, Director of Football, Brentwood Town FC, Leigh House, Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 4SX, marking the envelope "private and confidential".
The bar will be open and well stocked, and the disco has been booked. A selection of trophies will be presented during the evening.
Tickets will be available at the door and cost just £5.00.
Why not come along and support the boys and have a pint or two as well. See you there!
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BRENTWOOD TOWN 2 REDBRIDGE 0
Click here for more photos of the Redbridge match
Brentwood gave departing manager Steve Witherspoon a good send off but wins for Ware and Canvey Island meant Blues finished sixth and just missed out on a playoff place.
It was frustrating for Brentwood who won their last three games of the league season but it was not quite enough. Of the three teams immediately above Brentwood, only Bury Town dropped points on Saturday.
However, it was a fine achievement to finish so close to a playoff place in the first season at this level and everyone at the club, including the growing number of supporters, has enjoyed the season.
The match on Saturday was not a great spectacle but Brentwood did enough to secure the three points against a Redbridge side that already had one eye on their own playoff semi-final on Tuesday.
Blues threatened the visitors’ goal in the 14th minute when Steve King headed a Donovan Wilson free kick just over, but the Motormen looked to be gaining the upper hand as the first half progressed. Redbridge’s Mitchell Hahn hit a free kick just wide in the 23rd minute but there were few clear scoring chances at either end.
Lee Noble did go close for Blues in the 36th minute when he got a toe to the ball in front of keeper Robert Budd but the effort went over the bar.
Brentwood took the lead in the 39th minute. Jon Whittaker put Sean Thomas through and Budd conceded a penalty as Thomas tried to go round him. Thomas tucked the spot kick into the bottom corner for his thirteenth league goal of the season.
Bentwood looked to increase their lead in the second half but had to wait until the 87th minute before they found the net again. Michael Deane’s throw from the right wing was headed on by Whittaker and substitute Danny Carroll swept home from close range.
Brentwood Town: Palmer, King, Ketchell, Dickinson, Wilson, Street (Holmes 69), Carlos, Deane, Thomas (Carroll 75), Whittaker, Noble (Diaczuk 88)
Attendance: 212
Brentwood’s season is not quite over as we still have to play either Leiston or Halstead Town in the final of the East Anglian Cup. These two meet in the semi-final on Tuesday 29th April and a date for the final will be set after that game.
BRENTWOOD TOWN v REDBRIDGE Kick off 3pm
Third placed Redbridge visit the Arena on Saturday for our last league game of the season.
We need to win to stand a chance of getting into a playoff place, but we will also have to rely on other teams results if we are to make it. Should be an excellent game with a good crowd expected.
It will be manager Steve Witherspoon's last game at The Arena after he announced his decision to stand down at the end of the season. Steve has brought unprecedented success to Brentwood Town over the last two seasons and he is sure to get a good reception.
If we make the playoffs we will be away in the semi-final on Tuesday, probably to AFC Sudbury.
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Steve has decided to give more time to help Connor, his thirteen year old son who has a two year contract with Charlton Athletic FC.
The Club are reeling from the announcement, following Witherspoon's achievements over the past two seasons, presiding over the club being promoted from the Essex Senior League and winning the treble on the way, and also steering the first team to a very respectable place in the Ryman One North League in their first season, still with an outside chance of reaching the promotion playoffs.
Brentwood's chairman Keith Woodcock issued a statement “I am very sorry to see Steve step down after two fantastic seasons, but fully understand his situation. In life you have to make decisions that affect many people around you, but I applaud Steve's decision, and wish both Steve and Connor, and in fact the rest of the Witherspoon family the very best of luck for the future'. 'Steve has indicated that he still wants to be involved with the club in maybe a coaching capacity, and I will be happy to see him at the Brentwood Arena whenever he can make it”.
The search for Witherspoon's successor goes on and the Club's Director of Football, Brian Hallett is currently casting his eye over a few CVs and expecting many more to come through his letterbox. Anyone interested in applying for the post should send their CV to Brian at Leigh House, Weald Road, Brentwood, CM14 4SX.
BRENTWOOD TOWN RESERVES 1 WHITE ENSIGN 2
Despite an exciting finish that saw them desperately unlucky not to equalise, the Reserves failed in their attempt to win the Essex Premier Cup in the final at Billericay Town tonight.
White Ensign started the more confident side and it was not a great surprise when Ricki Thompson headed in a Dave Coats cross to give them a tenth minute lead.
From then on Brentwood improved and went closest to scoring through Matt Maher in the 23rd minute but he could not beat Ensign keeper Nick Keys who came out to make a good save, the first of several he was to make on the night.
Mike Shelley made it 2-0 with an emphatic finish in the 53rd minute and it looked as though Blues would struggle to get back into the game, but Keys twice made good saves to prevent Tirion Sherbourne from pulling a goal back.
The game really came to life in the last fifteen minutes. Matt Maher scored from the penalty spot in the 77th minute after Alfie Hayes had been fouled and the game looked to have been completely turned around a minute later when Brentwood were awarded another penalty. Danny Aggio, who had been outstanding all night in central midfield, hit a dipping shot which Keys turned onto the crossbar. The keeper then tried to retrieve the loose ball and only fouled Sherbourne in the area, but this time Maher hit his spot kick over the bar.
Brentwood continued to press for the goal that would send the game into extra time but Keys would not be beaten and he saved again deep into stoppage time from Steve Prady’s volley.
Brentwood’s young side performed exceptionally well against an experienced White Ensign side and the management team of Mark Boxall, Peter Morrison and Jack Ferguson are to be congratulated on an excellent season for the Reserves.
Brentwood Town: Nicky Mitchell, Jake Gibson (Tony Russ 90), Nick Savidge, Steve Carroll (Bradley Thompson 67), Steve Prady, Danny Aggio, Arnold Tawonezvi (Joe Dear 83), Tommy Johnson, Matt Maher, Alfie Hayes, Tirion Sherbourne. Unused subs: Liam Kelly, Steve Bourne
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.jpg "Reserves2007-2008(2)")
This is the first time that either Brentwood 1st team or Reserves have reached a county cup final since 1980 when the 1st team were beaten 2-1 by Billericay Town in an Essex Senior Trophy final replay at Basildon.
White Ensign are currently top of the Senior Premier Division of the Essex Olympian League and will be the biggest challenge the Reserves have faced in this season’s competition. However, in order to reach the final the Reserves have already overcome a number of strong 1st teams from Step 7 leagues such as the Essex Olympian League and the Essex, Suffolk Border League.
In their run to the final they firstly overcame Hertfordshire League side Buckhurst Hill (2-1), then Upminster (3-1), Coggeshall Town (4-1), Epping (1-0) and, in the semi-final, Dedham Old Boys (2-1).
The match at Billericay on Wednesday kicks off at 7.45pm and your support will be welcome.
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POTTERS BAR TOWN 0 BRENTWOOD TOWN 2
Click here for more photos from Potters Bar
Brentwood produced the result they needed to stay in the hunt for a playoff place, but with all the other contenders also winning it will depend on the final round of matches next Saturday.
Brentwood are still in seventh place and will need to win their last game next Saturday, at home to Redbridge. Redbridge are in third place in the table and are already sure of making the playoffs. Blues will need to beat them and hope that at least two of the teams above them slip up so they can claim a spot in the top five in the league.
Potters Bar had inflicted the first league defeat of the season on Blues with a 1-0 win at The Arena in November, but they only made certain of avoiding relegation last week, and never threatened to become the only side to complete a league double over Brentwood this season.
Brentwood got the best possible start at Parkfield on Saturday by taking the lead with just 59 seconds on the clock. Joao Carlos won a corner which he took himself and Sean Thomas found himself free at the far post to head down into the goal.
Brentwood threatened to increase their lead every time they won a corner and Jon Whittaker twice headed just over the bar following corner kicks by Carlos and Lee Noble.
Potters Bar had a good chance in the ninth minute when Serge Mokofo pulled the ball back for Sam Adejokun, but the Scholars’ striker did not get enough power in his shot to seriously trouble Marc Palmer in the Brentwood goal.
Brentwood got the second goal their efforts deserved in the 39th minute. Michael Deane cut in from the right and hit a great left foot shot into the corner past home keeper Ashlee Jones.
Brentwood started the second half looking to add to their score. Carlos hit a powerful drive from the left which took a deflection and Jones did well to push the ball over his crossbar. Noble then volleyed straight at Jones from the edge of the area following a cross by Deane.
Brentwood lost two key defenders with injury in the 65th minute. Steve King limped off and Richard Ketchell also had to be replaced. Substitute Chris Neville took Ketchell’s place at left back, and Riki Holmes came on in midfield with forward Whittaker dropping back to replace King in the centre of defence.
Despite these changes Brentwood still looked solid at the back and the only threat to Palmer came right at end when Adejokun hit a fierce left foot shot from the edge of the area which produced a very good save from the keeper.
Before then Noble had twice more gone close to increasing the visitors’ lead. He shot just wide after Neville had headed down Donovan Wilson’s free kick and crowded out by the home defence and Jones as he bore down on goal late in the game.
Brentwood Town: Palmer, King (Neville 65), Ketchell (Holmes 65), Dickinson, Wilson, Street, Carlos, Deane, Thomas, Whittaker, Noble
BRENTWOOD TOWN RESERVES 4 CLAPTON RESERVES 1
Goals by Matt Maher (2), Steve Carroll and Danny Aggio saw the Reserves to a comfortable win.
MALDON TOWN 4 BRENTWOOD TOWN 1
Without a game for three weeks, Brentwood could be forgiven for being a little rusty in this top v bottom encounter but Brentwood took the game to Maldon and enjoyed more of the possession in the first half with the away goal seldom under serious threat.
However, against the run of play, Maldon earned a free kick just outside the penalty area in the 35th minute. 'Keeper Jack Kellard got down well to smother the ball but could not hold on to the ball and Maldon scrambled the ball over then line to take a one goal lead. Brentwood countered immediately and within two minutes were on equal terms when Joe Thwaite took advantage of indecision between the Maldon 'keeper and defence and put Brentwood back in the game.
The second half continued in much the same vein with Brentwood looking the more likely to score in the opening minutes but two poor back passes were ably dealt with by Kellard but set the tone for what was to follow. On fifty - two minutes, Brentwood skipper Jordan ogles was punished for a foul in the area but the resulting penalty was blasted high over the bar. However, on fifty - five minutes, the Brentwood defence was caught when two Maldon strikers apparently, despite Brentwood protestations, beat the off side trap and the home side again took the lead. Brentwood continued to press and exerted pressure on Maldon's defence in an effort to force another equaliser. However, on eighty minutes, a Maldon free kick from the left was driven into the six yard box and cannoned off the back of the legs of another home player and deflected into the Brentwood goal to increase Maldon's lead. Switching now to a 3-4-3 system, Brentwood were gambling on either pulling the game around or losing by an even heavier score. Unfortunately for Brentwood, the system backfired as Maldon fired a fourth although the final score probably flattered the home side.
Brentwood Town: Kellard, Sherry (Brown 60), Joy, Ogles, Sparkes, McGill, Wood (Aarons 65), Thwaite, Gabbon, Spencer (Coleman 60), Cunningham
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BRENTWOOD TOWN 2 MALDON TOWN 1
Click here for more photos from Brentwood v Maldon
Brentwood kept their playoff hopes very much alive with this win over promotion rivals Maldon Town at the Brentwood Arena.
Both sides needed the three points to keep themselves in with a chance of finishing in the top five but it was still a fairly cautious first half.
Maldon keeper Darren Gould had to make a good save in the tenth minute from a deflected shot by Joao Carlos.
Maldon’s attack kept the Brentwood defence busy and the visitors’ best chance in the first half fell to their player manager Dean Parratt, but he failed to make proper contact from Frank Everitt’s ball into the box in the fifteenth minute.
Blues full back Richard Ketchell went forward and received a pass from Danny Carroll in a good position but shot wide of goal in the 29th minute.
Carlos looked the most likely scorer and he hit the side netting from close range a minute before half time after Jon Whittaker’s pass had put him clear on the left.
It was Carlos who broke the deadlock and put Brentwood in front in the 62nd minute. Steve King’s powerful header from his own half gave enabled Sean Thomas to break away and he held the ball up before squaring to Carlos who shot low past Gould from the edge of the penalty area.
Lee Noble almost increased the lead a minute later but Gould saved his shot and with Maldon committed to attack the game opened up and Brentwood looked like increasing their lead almost every time they went forward.
Thomas made it 2-0 in the 70th minute getting past two defenders and finishing well with a shot into the corner of the goal.
King went close to a third goal when his header was saved by Gould and Ollie Blackwell cleared the loose ball, and Blues looked fairly comfortable until the 87th minute when Kevin Hawes headed home for Maldon.
The visitors then pressed for an equaliser, but they were denied in the sixth minute of stoppage time when Richard Ketchell blocked Jamie Ricks’ close range effort.
With Canvey Island, Ware and Bury Town all winning on Saturday, Brentwood moved up just one place to seventh in the Ryman North table. They may need to win their last two games to get into the playoffs. Next fixture is away to Potters Bar Town next Saturday 19th April, and the final league match is at home to Redbridge on the 26th.
Brentwood Town: Palmer, King, Ketchell, Dickinson, Wilson, Street, Carlos, Carroll (Deane 57), Thomas (Holmes 85), Whittaker, Noble (Diaczuk 77)
Attendance: 183
CANVEY ISLAND RESERVES 2 BRENTWOOD TOWN RESERVES 5
After being 2-0 down at half time the Reserves found top form in the second half and hit five goals to record a convincing win.
Matt Maher was first on the scoresheet with a penalty, Jamie Buffin equalised and Jake Marsh made it 3-2 before fit-again Leon Diaczuk came on as substitute to score two late goals.
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ENFIELD TOWN 0 BRENTWOOD TOWN 0
Click here for more pictures from the Enfield Town match
This was a game that Brentwood thought they should have won but this away point may yet prove crucial if Brentwood are to win a playoff place.
Brentwood have never beaten Enfield Town and their four previous visits to Goldsdown Road, for Essex Senior League fixtures, had all resulted in defeats.
The visitors certainly had the better chances in the first half. Danny Dafter volleyed just wide in the 11th minute and Lee Noble was denied by home keeper Jason Willis.
Brentwood forced a succession of corner but Enfield survived and got themselves back into the game.
Brentwood could have grabbed the lead before half time with Steve King heading a 40th minute corner kick from Riki Holmes straight at Willis, and Joao Carlos hitting a good chance wide.
Enfield had seldom threatened in the first half but Luke Marshall forced a good save from Marc Palmer with a fierce shot from the right in the 53rd minute.
King went close again from a Holmes corner when his goalbound header was blocked by Glenn Harvey. King then slipped over on the edge of his own area and Ozie Foster had a clear chance for the home side but Palmer saved and Enfield substitute Manny Sackey could not find the room to force home the loose ball.
Brentwood made some attacking substitutions with forwards Danny Carroll, Jon Whittaker and Michael Deane all coming on with King also pushed forward later in the second half. But they could not find the goal that would have given them two extra valuable points.
There were appeals for a penalty for a foul on Carroll but the free kick was given just outside the area and it was Carroll had the best opportunity to score after a good move opened up the Enfield defence. But he shot straight at Willis and Brentwood had to settle for a draw.
Brentwood Town: Palmer, King, Ketchell, Dickinson, Wilson, Street (Carroll 69), Carlos (Deane 77), Dafter, Holmes (Whittaker 69), Thomas, Noble
Attendance: 232
BASILDON UNITED RESERVES 1 BRENTWOOD TOWN RESERVES 4
The Reserves were 1-0 down at half time but goals from Tirion Sherborne, Danny Aggio, Alifie Hayes and an own goal gave us a comfortable win.
Unfortunately Iain Smith had to go to hospital with a dislocated shoulder. He is now recovering well but will miss the rest of the season.
BURNHAM RAMBLERS 0 BRENTWOOD TOWN 1
A 70th minute penalty by Joao Carlos put Brentwood into the East Anglian Cup final for the first time.
BRENTWOOD TOWN RESERVES 3 BURNHAM RAMBLERS RESERVES 0
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DARTFORD 0 BRENTWOOD TOWN 1
Click here for more pictures from Dartford
Brentwood produced a great performance at Princes Park on Saturday with Lee Noble's goal in the 82nd minute giving them possibly the best result in the history of the club.
It was an excellent all round team effort against the league leaders and keeps Brentwood in with a good chance of making the playoffs.
Dartford began the game nine points clear at the top of the Ryman North table and were unbeaten in the league since November 24th but Brentwood did not look overawed by their opponents or the presence of a 1,309 crowd.
Brentwood’s attack included Sean Thomas who had been out for eight weeks with a broken arm and Noble also made a welcome return after missing four games through injury and suspension. At the back, Steve Dickinson, making only his third league appearance of the season, gave an immaculate display alongside Steve King and full backs Donovan Wilson and Richard Ketchell.
Brentwood showed their intent from the start and skipper Dan Dafter shot just wide from the edge of the area in the eighth minute after Noble’s persistence had created an opening.
Dartford often looked dangerous from set pieces and Jamie Coyle hit the post from close range in the ninth minute and Ryan Hayes forced a good save from Marc Palmer.
Noble and Joao Carlos worried the home defence with some good runs and were prepared to shoot from distance and Thomas had the best chance for the visitors in the first half when he broke clear in the 31st minute but Darts’ keeper Tony Kessell was quickly off his line to deny the striker.
Hayes was Dartford’s most dangerous forward and produced a number of good crosses as the home side turned on the pressure just before half time.
The home support expected their side to take control in the second half but it was Brentwood who looked the more composed, playing some excellent passing football and having the better of the midfield where Dafter and Gareth Street were in commanding form.
A good move started by Noble saw Thomas head a Riki Holmes’ cross just over the bar and a good tackle from Coyle stopped Noble from shooting after a fine run by Carlos.
Palmer held a long range drive from Adam Flanagan in the 60th minute and he also saved well from the dangerous Hayes in the 73rd minute.
It looked as though Brentwood would have to settle for just a well deserved point until they delighted the away fans with a stunning goal eight minutes from the end.
Noble had been a constant threat all afternoon but he had failed to get a telling shot on target until he set off on a surging run at the heart of the Dartford defence and hit a superb 25 yard shot into the top corner.
Jay May nearly grabbed a draw for Darts when his header hit the underside of the crossbar in the 87th minute but Brentwood were worthy winners on the day having impressed everyone with the quality of their football.
Brentwood are still in sixth position in the league with four games to play.
Brentwood Town: Palmer, King, Ketchell, Dickinson, Wilson, Street, Carlos, Dafter, Holmes, Thomas, Noble
Attendance: 1309
CONCORD RANGERS RESERVES 2 BRENTWOOD TOWN RESERVES 1
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BRENTWOOD TOWN 4 WALTHAM ABBEY 0
Click here for more action photos from the Waltham Abbey game
Blues bounced back from their defeat on Saturday with an emphatic win over Waltham Abbey at the Brentwood Arena on Easter Monday.
Keeper Marc Palmer had to make two smart saves in the first ten minutes to keep out efforts from Abbey’s Marc Sontag and Dean Perry, and when Brentwood took the lead in the 32nd minute it was a bit against the run of play.
Danny Carroll played a ball through the middle which Abbotts’ keeper John Hickman failed to clear as he came out of his area leaving Michael Deane the simple task of scoring.
Carroll’s pass then set up Joao Carlos for the second goal in the 36th minute as Brentwood took control.
Palmer suffered a head injury and after a lengthy delay resumed with his head bandaged, but the keeper was not seriously troubled again until the 86th minute when he did well to tip over a header from Abbey substitute Murat Karagul.
By then Blues had established a 4-0 win with two more well worked goals from Riki Holmes, in the 53rd minute, and Carroll in the 70th.
Gareth Street and Dan Dafter both hit the crossbar as Blues threatened to extend their lead but it was a pleasing win for Brentwood who are now in sixth place in the Ryman North table.
Brentwood Town: Palmer, Dickinson, Neville (Smith 79), Ketchell, Wilson, Street, Carlos (S.Carroll 88), Dafter, Holmes, Deane (Maher 79), D.Carroll
GRAYS ATHLETIC 3 BRENTWOOD TOWN 2
This was a cracking game, against all the odds, a five goal thriller despite the rain/sleet and snow, the high winds and a cut up pitch.
Brentwood, severely decimated by the holiday season and injuries, fielded a bare eleven on their team sheet and the absence again of a 'keeper left Ashley Spencer "volunteering" for the role and he did not disappoint.
Brentwood dominated for long period and were out of the starting blocks first. On four minutes, Danny Wood saw his effort just clear the cross bar and on eight minutes George Cunningham had the ball in the net only to be ruled, rightly, off side.
Against the run of play, Grays took the lead in the thirteenth minute when their forward made the most of weak challenges by Brentwood's defence and hit an unstoppable left foot shot to the left of Spencer.
This setback deflated Brentwood for a while but in the twenty - fourth minute, Jonathon Melia went close when his right foot shot drifted over the Grays cross bar. On thirty - three minutes, as Brentwood piled on the pressure, Adam Gomez hit a screecher from the edge of the penalty area to put Brentwood on level terms.
Brentwood came out fired up for the second half but it was Grays who retook the lead on fifty four minutes when a corner from the right hand side was met with a well timed and accurate volley from the edge of the area, again leaving Spencer with no chance.
Brentwood pressed forward looking for another equaliser with the inspirational midfield pairing of Gomez and Wood dominating and Grays restricted to playing the long ball down the centre whilst Melia and Scott McGill made progress down the two flanks and the Brentwood defence snuffed out the counter attacks. Gomez was spraying the passes around and in the seventieth minute, following a corner from the right, it was Gomez who fired a pile driver past the Grays 'keeper to level the scores at 2 - 2.
On eighty minutes, Grays struck back with another excellent shot which restored their slender lead. Almost immediately, George Cunningham cut in on the Grays' goal from the right when he was adjudged to have been tripped. Gomez stepped up looking for a hat trick but blasted over the bar. Still, the action was not finished. On a late Grays break, McGill handled instinctively in the six yard box but Spencer dived acrobatically to his left to push the resulting penalty over the bar.
Brentwood, for all their effort, still had opportunities at the other end but clawing their way back for a third time for what would have been a deserved draw would not come. However, both sides had overcome the odds and turned on a fantastic display of football and five spectacular goals in which, once again, a hard fought competitive game was played by both teams in such a sporting manner.
Brentwood Town: Spencer, Sherry, Sparkes, Joy, Ogles, Wood, Gomez, McGill, Melia, Cunningham, Aarons
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NORTHWOOD 5 BRENTWOOD TOWN 0
Click here for more action photos from the Northwood game
Despite this heaviest defeat of the season, Brentwood’s playoff hopes are still alive after other results went their way on Saturday.
With Maldon Town and Edgware Town both also losing, Brentwood are still just one point behind fifth placed Maldon, but they will need to get back to form in their remaining six league games.
Brentwood went into Saturday’s fixture at Northwood Park having taken ten points from their previous four games, but they suffered a disastrous opening fourteen minutes which saw them concede three goals.
Two late goals in the second half only rubbed salt into the wounds on a curious afternoon that saw Brentwood dominate possession for much of the game and create more chances than their opponents over the ninety minutes.
Brentwood started brightly and Michael Deane shot straight at home keeper Mitch Swain in the third minute but the visitors went behind in the 5th minute. Michael Gordon sped away down the right wing and his cross was turned in Sean Sonner.
Brentwood nearly equalised within two minutes when Danny Carroll found Joao Carlos whose shot hit the inside of a post before and the ball was headed away by defender Lee Holland.
Brentwood forced a number of free kicks before they went two down in the thirteenth minute. Sonner unleashed an unstoppable drive from 25 yards out giving Marc Palmer no chance of saving.
A minute later it was three when Palmer could only help the ball into his own net as he tried to deal with an awkward deflected cross from Gordon.
Carroll and Carlos were causing the Northwood defence a lot of problems and went close on a number of occasions but Brentwood could not reduce the arrears before half time.
The pattern continued in the second half with Brentwood often looking the more likely to score but the home side were often a threat too and as Brentwood chased the game Northwood capitalised late in the game.
Sonner laid on a chance for Jerome Hall in the 78th minute and Palmer made a good save but John Christian followed up for an easy tap in to make it 4-0.
As a hailstorm turned into a blizzard Brentwood conceded again in the 85th minute. Palmer got a hand to Gordon’s low cross but Sonner was on hand to complete his hat trick.
Deane hit the top of a post in stoppage time to end a very frustrating afternoon for Brentwood.
Brentwood Town: Palmer, King, Smith (Neville 77), Ketchell, Wilson, Street, Carlos, Dafter (Hayes 72), Holmes (Maher 72), Deane, Carroll
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BRENTWOOD TOWN 2 WIVENHOE TOWN 1
Danny Carroll's stoppage time winner gave Brentwood the three points that took them to within a point of a playoff position.
Blues are in seventh position in the Ryman North table just behind Edgware Town and Maldon Town.
But it was not an easy night for Brentwood against a Wivenhoe side battling relegation. Blues were missing midfielder Lee Noble as well as key defenders Steve King and Terry Scotchmer through injury, and suffered another blow just before half time when centre back Jon Whittaker had to be replaced.
Danny Hart had given the Dragons a first half lead after Marc Palmer had failed to clear a Richard Ketchell back pass in the 22nd minute.
But after that Brentwood’s unfamiliar back line coped well with a lively Wivenhoe attack. Chris Neville replaced Whittaker and partnered Ketchell in the middle, while full backs Donovan Wilson and Iain Smith also looked sound.
Leon Diaczuk equalised with a 59th minute penalty after Joao Carlos had been brought down.
Carroll replaced Diaczuk in the 79th minute and it was another sub, Jake Marsh, who neatly set up the winner for Carroll in the 92nd minute.
Brentwood Town: Palmer, Ketchell, Smith, Whittaker (Neville 45), Wilson, Street, Carlos, Dafter, Holmes (Marsh 46), Deane, Diaczuk (Carroll 79)
BRENTWOOD TOWN 2 CLAPTON 4
Blues played host to League leaders Clapton in a somewhat unexpected game only possible because of the hard work before kick off from Blues’ volunteers.
However, the soaked pitch and gale force winds combined to thwart any sustained pattern of play from either side.
Earlier in the season, Blues had travelled to the Spotted Dog in East London and for long periods had outplayed their hosts. On that occasion, Blues inability to put the ball in the net combined with two mistakes at the back saw them take nothing from the game.
On this occasion, Brentwood sensed a reverse of fortunes and started the brighter of the two sides. Adam Gomez again took the unfamiliar role as ‘keeper and did well and could not be faulted for what was to follow.
Brentwood’s George Cunningham fired the home side in front but Clapton duly hit straight back to level the score.
Clapton then took the initiative and two further goals followed to give them a 1 – 3 half time lead.
Blues came out in the second half with a renewed self – belief, only to see matters get worse when Clapton increased their lead to 1 – 4 with still thirty minutes on the clock and the prospect of more to follow with Clapton pushing players forward.
A re shuffle twenty minutes from time saw Blues go three at the back and stretch five across the middle to compete with Clapton’s strong midfield. The change was rewarded immediately as Cunningham scored his second of the game to give Brentwood some hope. Blues then entered a period of domination when they could very easily have pulled a further goal back. However, despite mid field dominance, Blues never converted the much needed goal in the dying minutes and Clapton saw out time and took the three points to increase their lead at the top of the table.
Brentwood Town: Gomez, Sherry (Thwaite 45), Sparks (Aarons 70), Joy, Ogles, Spencer (Coleman 45), Wood, Brown, Melia, Cunningham, McGill,
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BRENTWOOD TOWN 0 WINGATE & FINCHLEY 0
Brentwood entertained Wingate & Finchley at The Arena with Blues looking for a result to put them back into the fray in the play off area of the League.
However, this proved to be probably the most disappointing game of Blues ascendancy through the Essex Senior and Ryman Leagues with little real action by either side and ended in a predictable “bore draw”.
In front of a crowd of just over one hundred, Blues edged the first half action.
On twenty minutes, Blues’ Riki Holmes hit the cross bar only for the rebound to be netted by Lee Noble from an offside position and the effort was righly disallowed.
Four minutes later, Michael Deane was put through on goal but the Wingate ‘keeper did well to push the ball wide of the post.
It was Deane, again, four minutes before half time who made a great run through the Wingate defence but saw his effort well off target.
The second half followed much the same format but with even less goalmouth action.
On seventy minutes, substitute Jake Marsh cross well for Gareth Street to volley straight into the arms of Wingate’s ‘keeper.
At the end, both sides had to accept that they had not done enough to win the game but Blues will be ruing the chance of stealing ground on some of their rivals and will see this result as two points dropped rather then a point gained.
Brentwood Town: Palmer, Wilson, King, Smith, Whittaker, Smith, Street (Diazcuk 71), Dafter, Carlos (Diazcuk 85), Holmes (Tawonesvki 90), Deane (Carroll 74), Noble (Marsh 65)
DEDHAM OLD BOYS 1 BRENTWOOD TOWN 2
Goals by Tirion Sherlbourne and Matt Maher put the Reserves into the county cup final.
Hullbridge Sports 1 – 1 Brentwood Town
Brentwood travelled to high flying Hullbridge to what developed into a highly competitive and entertaining game.
Blues squad, racked by injury, struggled to field a side and the patched up squad was missing several key players. The signs were not good when ‘keeper Mike Green and influential midfielder Danny Wood had to go off before half time.
However, it was Blues who took the game to Hullbridge in the first half. Wood was substituted early on and Ashley Spencer joined Sam Brown in centre midfield in an unlikely partnership that worked well. Indeed, it was Brown who hit a screamer that cannoned of the cross bar in the 27th minute to deny Blues what would have been a deserved lead. Brentwood continued to press and were rewarded on 45 minutes when a Jordan Ogles free kick through the centre looked to be heading safely to the Hullbridge ‘keeper when George Cunningham nipped between the defence and ‘keeper and headed into the Hullbridge net to give Blues a half time single goal lead. At the other end, Hullbridge rarely threatened and Green was quick off his line on several occasions to thwart the long ball tactic employed by Hullbridge.
The second half was a different affair with Hullbridge pressing and Blues defending. Midfielder Adam Gomez volunteered to keep goal and pulled off a number of dramatic saves as Hullbridge pressed for an equaliser. From a Hullbridge corner, Gomez was finally beaten but Dermot Sherry headed off the line. In the 50th minute, a ball played down the right flank appeared to have left at least two Hullbridge players off side but the referee over ruled his assistant, the ball was crossed and a re bound fell to the feet of a Hullbridge player whose low hard drive left Gomez with no chance and the scores were level. Hullbridge continued to press and Gomez did well to finger tip one goal bound effort over hiss cross bar. However, the last five minutes saw Blues re take the initiative with Cunningham and George Aarons having half chances and then Spencer seeing his shot/cross from the right sail over the Hullbridge ‘keeper but skimming the upper side of the cross bar.
Brentwood : Green (Gomez 45), Sherry, Ogles, Joy, Sparks, McGill, Brown, Wood (Spencer 25) Melia, Cunningham, Aarons
BRENTWOOD TOWN 2 EDGWARE TOWN 0
Brentwood entertained Edgware at The Arena with both Clubs needing the points, Edgware to stay in contention for a play off place and Brentwood playing “catch – up” to continue their run of form following a 3 – 2 mid week win against fellow high flyers Bury Town.
The game started slowly with neither side impressing in the early stages. However, the home side took control and on fifteen minutes a Riki Holmes free kick from the left was met by Steve King at the far post and his headed effort was well saved by the Edgware ‘keeper. Within minutes, Michael Deane made progress down the left flank but his hopeful shot/cross drifted wide and over the Edgware cross bar.
The game sprang into action in the thirtieth minute when Lee Noble threaded a clever ball through the Edgware defence and played Joao Carlos through the centre for a one on one with the Edgware ‘keeper and Carlos kept a clear head and cooly slotted the ball to the left of the advancing ‘keeper and into the corner of the net to give the home side the lead.
Edgware raised their game and the middle of the park became very competitve but in the thirty – fourth minute, a scuffle broke out between Blues’ captain Danny Dafter and the Edgware centre back, with Dafter being head butted and the referee had no alternative but to issue a straight red card and the away side were reduced to ten men.
From the resulting free kick, Carlos hit low and hard and his effort was deflected into the same left hand corner of the net to double Carlos’ tally and Blues’ lead.
Edgware hit back and Blues’ Marc Palmer did well to turn an effort around the post in the 37th minute.
However, Brentwood’s confidence grew against ten men and they threatened to increase their lead before half time.
The second half was a scrappy affair with the two teams cancelling each other out and chances were few and far between. However, Blues rear guard looked sound and Palmer’s goal was rarely threatened. The increasing swirling wind and spasmodic rain did nothing to encourage good football and Blues played the second half with a caution, defending the three points that were there for the taking.
It was not until the last ten minutes that Brentwood forced the play when substitute Jake Marsh played a clever flick to Noble whose shot was goal bound but tipped around the post by the Edgware ‘keeper. A minute later, the same Marsh/Noble combination resulted in another Noble effort which beat the Edgware ‘keeper but curled just outside the left post. It was Noble, again, who smashed a long range shot a minute later which the Edgware ‘keeper struggled to hold onto but there was no follow up to net the loose ball.
Blues will reflect that this was a controlled, disciplined preformance and perhaps a third goal before half time might have killed the game off but Edgware were closed down quickly as soon as they gained possession and rarely looked in the game. This win puts Blues into eighth spot in the League, two points adrift of Edgware but with a game in hand on their rivals and looking forward to the visit of Wingate & Finchley next Saturday.
Brentwood Town: Palmer, Wilson, King, Smith, Whittaker, Wilson, Street (Marsh 75), Dafter, Carlos (Diazcuk 85), Holmes (Tawonesvki 90), Deane, Noble
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BURY TOWN 2 BRENTWOOD TOWN 3
After trailing 2-1 early in the second half, Brentwood revived their playoff hopes with a good win in Bury St. Edmunds.
Despite missing one or two regulars Brentwood were boosted by the return of skipper Danny Dafter in midfield, and they gave a Ryman League debut to Iain Smith at left back.
Brentwood started well but Bury’s Sam Reed had the first chance, shooting wide under pressure in the 12th minute. Riki Holmes then had a couple of efforts on target but Brentwood could not seriously trouble long serving keeper Dean Greygoose until they took the lead in the 18th minute.
Lee Noble fed the overlapping Holmes on the right wing and his well hit cross dropped into the six yard box where it was headed in by Joao Carlos.
Reed went close again for Bury in the 29th minute after a misunderstanding between Steve King and his keeper Marc Palmer saw the ball rebound off Reed but just wide.
Brentwood looked likely to increase their lead with Michael Deane and Gareth Street forcing good saves from Greygoose.
Daniel Cornwell shot wide for Bury in the 42nd minute but it was a bit of surprise when the home side equalised in first half stoppage time. Terry Scotchmer appeared to be shepherding the ball back to Palmer but the ball hit Scotchmer’s knee and went past the keeper for an unfortunate own goal.
Bury then took a 49th minute lead when Reed capitalised on a slip by Scotchmer and gave Stephen Bugg a simple chance to score.
Brentwood hit back to equalise nine minutes later with their best move of the night that ended with Holmes converting Carlos’s low cross.
Palmer tipped a fierce free kick from the left foot of Gavin Johnson over the bar in the 71st minute, before Michael Deane hit the winner in the 85th minute. Deane followed up to score his first goal for the club after Lee Noble's shot had been saved.
Brentwood Town: Palmer, King, Smith, Scotchmer, Wilson, Street, Carlos, Dafter, Holmes, Deane, Noble
Essex, Herts & Bordering Counties Combination Cup 3rd round
BURNHAM RAMBLERS RESERVES 1 BRENTWOOD TOWN RESERVES 0
BRENTWOOD TOWN 0 BENFLEET 0
Brentwood entertained Benfleet at The Arena on Sunday, their third game against these same opponents.
Blues had incredibly lost the first two encounters against Benfleet by an odd goal in both games despite dominating and playing some exciting football. Full of optimism following their three goals against Bowers in their last match, Blues had high expectations but the weather played its part and the football was very scruffy with two sides effectively cancelling each other out.
Brentwood had the better of the game with play mainly taking part in the opposition half and the Blues goal was only under real threat once during the match, substitute 'keeper Micky Green diving bravely at the feet of a Benfleet forward to snuff out their only proper effort of the game.
At the other end, Brentwood's assault on the Benfleet goal produced a shot cannoning off the cross bar and Benfleet's 'keeper produced a number of fine saves. However, the goal jinx returned with a number of spurned chances and Blues failed to capitalise on their efforts. Then injuries to Blues' players forced changes in key areas.
Towards the end, a change of formation saw Brentwood changing from their usual 4-4-2 formation to a more adventurous 3-4-3 line up in an effort to go for bust but Benfleet countered this by pulling players back to defend the draw.
Brentwood Town: Kellard (Green 45), Brown, Joy, Ogles, Sherry, Spencer (Sherwood 65), Gomez (Kwama 40), Wood, Melia (Sparks 45), Cunningham, McGill (Aarons 70)
AFC SUDBURY 3 BRENTWOOD TOWN 0
For Brentwood this was the first of two visits to Suffolk in the space of four days, and they returned empty handed as second in the table Sudbury produced an impressive first half performance.
The home side started well and Marc Palmer in the Blues’ goal tipped over a powerful drive from the right wing by Matty Clements in the fourth minute.
Brentwood’s Lee Noble then produced a good run down the right but his cross was cleared and Palmer was soon in action again turning a deflected shot by Jamie Rowe over the bar.
Palmer saved very well again from the dangerous Rowe in the fifteenth minute although the forward had been flagged offside on this occasion.
Sudbury took the lead in the 23rd minute. It came from a dazzling run by Clements who carved his way through the middle past several challenges before slipping the ball past Palmer.
Steve King headed a Joao Carlos free kick over the bar as Blues sought an equaliser but Sudbury always looked a threat when they attacked and Brentwood centre back Jon Whittaker did well, at full stretch, to clear a cross from Rowe. Then Blues broke away themselves and a Carlos cross from the left wing was headed over from close in by Michael Deane.
But the home side looked more likely to score as they pressured Blues into errors at the back. Palmer made another good stop, diving low to his left to push a shot from Luke Hammond round the post, before he conceded the second goal in the 44th minute. Palmer made a fine save again to keep out the first header from Rowe, but Rowe then fired the loose ball into the roof of the net.
Well as Sudbury had played in the first half it was a disappointing performance by Blues but their travelling supporters were pleased with second half showing. King nearly pulled a goal back in the 56th minute when he stabbed just wide from a Terry Scotchmer pass deep into the Sudbury penalty area and for the first time in the afternoon Brentwood had the edge on their opponents.
But Sudbury still created chances and Palmer saved well with his feet when Rowe put Gareth Heath clear on goal. Palmer was nearly caught out from the resulting corner by Hammond which nearly went straight into goal but the keeper managed to athletically claw the ball away.
Brentwood substitute Riki Holmes was unlucky not to score with a free kick which went inches wide of goal with Sudbury keeper Nathan Hammond stranded.
Noble was the biggest threat to Sudbury showing some good skill on the ball but despite a number of good efforts he could not trouble keeper Munson until the 81st minute when the keeper had to save his shot after Holmes had created the chance.
Heath missed the best chance of the half for Sudbury, shooting wide from close in, but they clinched the win in the 87th minute when Rowe scored his second of the afternoon. He picked up the ball and shrugged off a challenge before beating Palmer easily with a low shot into the corner.
Brentwood now travel to Bury St. Edmunds on Tuesday (4th March) for their next league match.
Brentwood Town: Palmer, King, Neville, Scotchmer, Whittaker, Street, Carlos, Diaczuk, Carroll (Holmes 54), Deane, Noble
Attendance: 273
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BRENTWOOD TOWN RESERVES 3 ILFORD RESERVES 0
After a goalless first half the Reserves ran out comfortable winners at the Brentwood Arena.
Iain Smith and Alfie Hayes were amongst the goals, both scoring direct from corners.
The East Anglian Cup sem-final at Burnham Ramblers has been arranged for Tuesday 1st April, 7.45pm.
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BRENTWOOD TOWN 0 CANVEY ISLAND 2
Brentwood and Canvey started this crucial match in seventh and sixth positions respectively in the Ryman North table. A win for Blues would have put them above their rivals but the game went the way of the Gulls who moved up to fourth place in the table, and they are now five points ahead of Brentwood who slipped back to eighth.
Brentwood fielded new signing from Enfield Town, Michael Deane, and he partnered Jon Whittaker in attack with Terry Scotchmer returning to the home defence.
Canvey certainly had the better of the early play and nearly went ahead in the opening minutes but centre forward Nick Rugg was denied on a number of occasions by a combination of keeper Marc Palmer, some good defending and some wasteful finishing.
Deane was making a good impression with some neat touches when Blues attacked but it was no surprise when Dean Gordon drove home to give the Islanders the lead in the 18th minute.
Danny Carroll had Brentwood’s best chance when he shot over the bar from a good position in the 33rd minute but the visitors were worth their half time lead.
Brentwood had a good spell early in the second half and it looked as though they might be able to get back in the game, but Canvey continued to look very strong and they sealed the win in the 71st minute when Steve Corbell’s cross was turned in by Gabriel Fanibuyan.
Whittaker almost pulled a goal back immediately from a Lee Noble corner but his goal bound header was cleared.
Blues now continue their league programme with a visit to second in the table AFC Sudbury on Saturday.
Brentwood Town: Palmer, King, Neville, Scotchmer, Wilson (Marsh 76), Holmes (Carlos 46), Carroll, Dafter (Diaczuk 68), Whittaker, Deane, Noble
Attendance: 212
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BRENTWOOD TOWN 1 AVELEY 1
Riki Holmes scored for the fourth successive match for Brentwood in this closely contested Essex derby at the Brentwood Arena on Saturday.
Aveley were beaten 6-0 by Brentwood in the first league encounter in November but they have shown a huge improvement under new manager Rod Stringer, losing just two of their last nineteen games.
Brentwood were still without the suspended Terry Scotchmer so Jon Whittaker, who had been playing up front since his return from injury, was employed as a centre back once more. With Sean Thomas and Trevor Paul both out with injuries, this left Blues short of height in their attack but Danny Carroll did an excellent job leading the forward line supported by Holmes, Lee Noble and Joao Carlos.
Holmes created a half chance for Carroll early on but a timely tackle from Aveley’s John Maskell ended the move and, generally, two strong defences dominated the first half.
Brentwood keeper Marc Palmer was kept busy as Aveley applied some pressure midway through the half and former Brentwood centre back Glen Golby went closest to scoring for the visitors. The ball came to Golby following a Shaz Ahmed corner, but the header was saved by Palmer.
Brentwood soon got on top in the second half and Steve King hurriedly shot over the bar from a Holmes corner. Holmes put Blues ahead in the 54th minute, cutting in from the right and beating Millers’ keeper Adam Rafis with a fine left foot shot that went in off the post.
Ainsley Gasper wasted a good shooting chance for Aveley four minutes later, but Brentwood looked to be heading for a win until Aveley’s substitutions rejuvenated their attack.
One of the subs, Leli Bajada nearly equalised in the 75th minute but Palmer made a splendid save. But it was Bajada who did score six minutes later forcing the ball home from close range.
Gareth Street went closest to a late winner for Blues, shooting straight at Rafis with one effort and then firing wide when he latched onto a cross field pass by Jake Marsh.
A draw was a fair result in the end between these two sides who are both still in with a chance of a playoff place.
Brentwood Town: Palmer, King, Neville, Whittaker, Wilson, Street, Carlos (Marsh 76), Dafter, Holmes (Diaczuk 89), Carroll, Noble
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CLAPTON RESERVES 1 BRENTWOOD TOWN RESERVES 1
Matt Maher equalised for the Reserves at the Spotted Dog after we had fallen behind in the first minute.
Leaving at 12 noon, cost will be £10 return fare.
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HERTFORD TOWN 0 BRENTWOOD TOWN 1
Riki Holmes scored for the third successive game to put us through to the semi-finals where we will be away to Burnham Ramblers.
BRENTWOOD TOWN RESERVES 4 BOWERS & PITSEA RESERVES 0
WITHAM TOWN 0 BRENTWOOD TOWN 2
Two goals late in the second half by Jon Whittaker and Riki Holmes gave Brentwood a welcome three points at the Spicer McColl Stadium on Saturday.
The win put Blues just two points away from a playoff place and they had to work hard for victory against a Witham side that looked determined to end their recent run of defeats.
Despite spending all season in the lower half of the table Witham had won 4-0 at the Brentwood Arena in November, but they were missing suspended forward Cody McDonald who had scored an impressive hat-trick in that first game.
Brentwood were without Terry Scotchmer, also suspended, and Steve Dickinson took his place in the centre of defence. Dickinson has been recovering from a long term hip injury and, apart from a game in the East Anglian Cup in December, this was the experienced defender’s first appearance in the 1st team since January 2007.
Saturday’s match had a lively start with Joao Carlos forcing a good save from home keeper Paul Daley with barely a minute on the clock, and Witham nearly took a third minute lead when Jamie Ricks headed a free kick from Rob King onto the crossbar.
Blues continued making chances and Steve King and Lee Noble could have put them ahead but they were both off target with close range headers.
Witham lost skipper Nathan Sharp with an injury in the 22nd minute. His replacement David Hawes soon made an impression with some good work on the right side of the home attack and Witham forced a number of corners. Hawes had a shot blocked and Mitchell Lowes headed a chance straight into the arms of Brentwood keeper Marc Palmer.
The “Blues” came out for the second half wearing yellow shirts, their normal light blue strip having clashed with Witham’s white shirts in the bright sunshine during the first half.
The Yellows soon got on top and Danny Carroll’s shot was saved by Daley and a tackle by Witham defender Grant O’Donnell prevented Chris Neville from shooting eight yards out. Neville, the only Brentwood player to have appeared in all his team’s 28 Ryman League matches this season, then went close again when he beat Daley to a Carlos cross, but the header flew just wide.
At the other end Rob King had a chance from a Joe Smith cross but he volleyed wide when he might have had time to bring the ball under control.
Danny Dafter’s header was saved by Daley and Simon King cleared a Steve King header off the Witham line as Brentwood pressed for the opening goal.
It finally arrived in the 77th minute and it came from an excellent move started by Noble’s long pass to Carroll on the left wing. Carroll beat his man and set up a simple chance for Whittaker to score from close range.
Substitute Jake Marsh replaced Carlos in Brentwood’s attack in the 81st minute. Marsh is another Brentwood player making a comeback from injury, having made just two substitute appearances for the Reserves since being injured in a pre-season game in August.
But it was another sub, Riki Holmes, who clinched the win with Brentwood’s second goal in the 89th minute. Holmes came on for injured defender Richard Ketchell in the 84th minute and took Whittaker’s place up front, with Whittaker moving into the back four where he had played so well earlier in the season before suffering an injury himself.
Carroll was again involved in the goal. His cross was laid back by Noble for Holmes to hit a terrific shot into the top corner from just inside the penalty area. It was Holmes’ second goal of the season; the first was only last week against Ilford, when he also came off the bench to score.
Brentwood Town: Palmer, King, Neville, Dickinson, Ketchell (Holmes 84), Street, Carlos (Marsh 81), Dafter, Whittaker, Carroll, Noble
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BRENTWOOD TOWN RESERVES 0 BARKING RESERVES 3
This was the first time this season that Brentwood Reserves have lost a cup tie.
They may be out of the Fred Budden Trophy but they are still in the semi-final of the Essex Premier Cup, where they will meet Dedham Old Boys on March 15th, and the Essex, Herts Combination Cup in which they will visit Burnham Ramblers for a third round tie on March 4th.
Click here for more action from Saturday's Reserve game
Ryman League fixtures have been rearranged against Canvey Island at home on Tuesday 26th February, and away to Bury Town on Tuesday 4th March.
BRENTWOOD TOWN 1 STAMBRIDGE UNITED 2
Following a draw a fortnight ago against the same opposition, Brentwood began the livelier of the two sides.
Adam Gomez had a shot blocked and Dermot Sherry followed through and looped a header over the Stambridge 'keeper to give Blues the lead on only six minutes. There then followed a series of opportunities for Town to increase their lead but several good opportunities were squandered. Stambridge relied on the counter attack but rarely troubled Jack Kellard in the early stages. Gomez, Danny Wood and Jeisone Kwama all saw efforts off target for Blues. in the twenty - fifth minute, Stambridge pushed forward and Blues defence did well to block a series of shots but the ball fell to a Stambridge player standing on the penalty spot and he despatched the ball to the left of Blues' keeper Kellard to level the scores. On thirty minutes, Blues were saved by the cross bar for the first of three occasions. Brentwood were running their luck and Joe Smith had a great chance to add to the score when he was put clear through but his shot went safely straight into the arms of the Stambridge 'keeper.
The second half started in much the same vein as the first, with Blues putting pressure on Stambridge. However, the elusive goal never looked likely. As the game progressed, neither side looked likely to break the deadlock but it was Stambridge who took the lead late on and walked off the field at the end with the three points.
Brentwood Town: Kellard, Sherry, Sparks, Joy, Ogles, Kwama (Sherwood 60), Wood, Gomez (Thwaite 60), Melia, Smith, Aarons (Spencer 60)
BRENTWOOD TOWN 4 ILFORD 1
Brentwood completed a league double over lowly Essex rivals Ilford at the Brentwood Arena on Saturday.
Blues were without the injured Lee Noble as well as Sean Thomas who had broken his arm in the game at Ware the previous week but still had enough strength in their squad to score four times in a comfortable victory.
Ilford goalkeeper James Marrable, who had saved two penalties when the sides met in September, was soon in action holding a shot from Trevor Paul in the 4th minute.
Dan Dafter also went close from a Joao Carlos cross before the home side took the lead in the tenth minute when a shot from Leon Diaczuk was diverted into goal by Paul.
With Danny Downer a lone threat up front, Ilford only occasionally worried Marc Palmer in the Brentwood goal and the visitors best effort came from James Bly who tried his luck from distance, but the shot flew wide of the far post.
Marrable was still the busier keeper and when Jon Whittaker put Paul clear in the 33rd minute he prevented Paul from adding a second with a good block.
But Palmer was in action early in the second half, making a fine one-handed save to stop Dean Pennant equalising in the 48th minute.
As Brentwood began to dominate again Marrable made a couple more saves before he was beaten again in the 63rd minute when Dafter’s pass set up Whittaker for the second goal.
The game came to life late on with three goals in three minutes. Riki Holmes made it 3-0 in the 81st minute, shooting into the far corner after a strong run from the left wing. Substitute Julian Edwards soon pulled a goal back with a neat finish for the Foxes, only for Joao Carlos to score the goal of the game in Brentwood’s next attack. Carlos spun and shot home with his left foot after Steve Jones had created the chance with some excellent work on the right wing.
Ilford nearly scored again in the 89th minute when Edwards shot past Palmer but Terry Scotchmer cleared off the Brentwood goal line.
The result keeps Brentwood in ninth place in the Ryman North table only four points from a playoff place.
Brentwood Town: Palmer, King, Neville, Scotchmer, Ketchell, Street, Carlos, Dafter, Whittaker (Carroll 65), Paul (Jones 72), Diaczuk (Holmes 72)
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EAST THURROCK UNITED RESERVES 1 BRENTWOOD TOWN RESERVES 3
Brentwood Reserves continued their good run with another victory on Saturday in a match that was interrupted for a while because of reduced visibility, caused by smoke from a fire in the adjacent car park.
Matt Maher put Brentwood ahead in the first half and substitute Jake Marsh, making his first appearance since a pre-season injury, came on as a substitute to score twice late in the game.
Marsh's his first goal was a shot from 20 yards which put Brentwood 2-0 ahead. The Rocks pulled a goal back before Marsh converted an Alfie Hayes cross to make it 3-1.
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BRENTWOOD TOWN 2 DARTFORD 2
Lee Noble’s second half equaliser gave Brentwood a point in a pulsating match against league leaders Dartford at the Brentwood Arena tonight.
Brentwood had a good chance in the fourth minute when Jonathon Whittaker’s flick on found fellow striker Trevor Paul but Paul let the ball run just ahead of him and Darts’ keeper Tony Kessell was able to gather easily.
In the seventh minute Dartford’s Jay May was red carded after a challenge on the half way line and Brentwood then took a fifteenth minute lead when Dan Dafter headed home from a Joao Carlos corner.
Dartford showed why they are top of the league in the second half as despite having only ten men they fought their way back into the game and Brendon Cass equalised with a header in the 61st minute. John Guest put the visitors in front in the 68th minute when he beat Blues’ keeper Marc Palmer to a Steve Norman free kick and his header looped into the net.
It took just 30 seconds for Noble to make it 2-2 with an exquisite shot off the outside of his right foot which went in off the inside of the post, and Blues could have taken three points with Leon Diaczuk and Carlos having chances before the end.
Brentwood Town: Palmer, King, Neville, Scotchmer, Ketchell, Street, Carlos, Dafter, Paul (Diaczuk 75), Whittaker, Noble
Attendance: 320
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WARE 2 BRENTWOOD TOWN 0
Brentwood's hopes of a play off spot are diminishing after their visit to Wodson Park on Saturday resulted in a second away defeat in five days.
Ware’s Joe Stevens managed the first shot on target in the 7th minute, an effort which bobbled in front of Marc Palmer making it an awkward save for the Brentwood keeper.
Blues best chance of the first half fell to Lee Noble in the 13th minute. He was put clear on the right by a long clearance by Richard Ketchell which caught out the home defence, but Noble could not beat Ware keeper Ryan Jones from a tight angle.
Palmer then made a magnificent save from John Frendo after a move between Dave Blower and Stevens had opened up the Blues defence.
Ware took the lead in the 28th minute when Frendo’s left foot shot hit the underside of the bar and Michael Bardle followed up to head home.
Right at the start of the second half a good tackle by Danny Wolf prevented Brentwood’s Leon Diaczuk from shooting inside the penalty area and a strong home defence were making it difficult for Blues to create chances as often as they have in many games this season.
Brentwood centre back Terry Scotchmer cleared a goal bound effort from Scott Neilson in the six yard box to keep his side in the game and Blues began to pressure the Ware defence. Ryan Jones dropped a high cross with Brentwood strikers Sean Thomas and Jon Whittaker in close attendance but neither of them could capitalise and Jones made a quick recovery.
Then Noble produced a fine pass through for Thomas which keeper Jones managed to reach just before the striker. Whittaker drove the loose ball towards goal but Stuart Hammonds blocked it on the line.
But Brentwood’s hope of earning a point were ended in the 88th minute when Sam Berry headed in a right wing cross to make it 2-0.
Brentwood Town: Palmer, King, Neville, Scotchmer, Ketchell, Street, Carroll (Holmes 46), Diaczuk (Jones 67), Thomas (Paul 83), Whittaker, Noble
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Essex Premier Cup Quarter Final
BRENTWOOD TOWN RESERVES 1 EPPING 0
An impressive result for the Reserves against opponents from the Senior Division of the Essex Olympian League.
The only goal came in the 28th minute when a cross from Alfie Hayes was turned into his own goal by an Epping defender.
Other Quarter Final results:
Barking Reserves 1 M&B Club 3
Dedham Old Boys 3 Gas Recreation 0
White Ensign 5 Frenford Senior 1
The semi-finals are scheduled to be played by 15th March.
Matt Maher challenges for a corner in the first half
Click here for more action from Brentwood v Epping
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Derrick joined the Club in the mid 1970s and was Brentwood 1st team manager for 21 years from 1978 to 1999 making him the longest serving manager in the history of the Essex Senior, and one of the longest serving ever in non-league football. The Club greatly benefited from Derrick's influence over the years and his reign as manager was notable for the great atmosphere amongst both players and staff which was rewarded by the retention of players, in some cases for their whole careers.
Brentwood always produced excellent footballing sides under Derrick's guidance and his coaching and scouting abilities were a key factor in maintaining the club's high standards, as well as unearthing some real talents, some of whom have gone on to play at the highest level.
Brentwood had their share of success under Derrick, winning the Essex Senior League Cup in 1975/76, 1978/79 and 1990/91. The league championship always eluded Derrick but they were runners up four times and reached the final of the Essex Senior Trophy in 1979/80. The last honours were in 1995/96 when the Harry Fisher Memorial Trophy was won, and in the same season Brentwood had their best ever run in the FA Vase, reaching the 3rd round, further than any other Essex Senior League club that year.
Have a great day Del, we all look forward to seeing you in the bar at the next home game!
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The Division One North award went to our own Steve Witherspoon. This is a as a result of the excellent start to our first ever season at this level which has seen us unbeaten in the league and progress made to the 3rd Qualifying round of the FA Cup.
The other divisional awards went to:
Premier Division - Gary McCann (Hendon F.C.)
Division One South - Billy Smith (Tooting & Mitcham United F.C.)
Ryman League Clubcall
On the official Ryman League Clubcall line today (and for the rest of the week), you can hear Steve being interviewed on his award as Division One Manager of the Month. Steve also looks ahead to the FA Trophy tie against Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday.
The interview can be heard by telephoning 09066 555 777 - calls cost 60p per minute.
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ROMFORD 1 BRENTWOOD TOWN 1
(after extra time, Brentwood won 5-4 on penalties)
Brentwood Town completed an historic Essex Senior League treble as they won the league cup after a dramatic penalty shoot out at Barkingside on Monday afternoon.
The game had been in doubt after some heavy morning rain had left the pitch flooded, but conditions had improved considerably by kick off time.
Romford had completed a league double over Brentwood the previous weekend, the only two defeats for the champions in the league all season and this final was always going to be a closely fought contest.
Romford's goalkeeper and captain Neil Finn saw some early action turning a dangerous cross from Michael Begg over the bar in the third minute. Finn then made an amazing save in the fifteenth minute. Nick Cowley's free kick fell to Steve King and he looked certain to score but Finn managed to hold on to his close range shot.
Finn then saved from Cowley before Boro threatened the Brentwood goal for the first time in the 21st minute when Ben Turner won a corner in the air but his soft header bounced gently into the arms of Mark Hardingham.
Brentwood created some more chances but Steve Jones and Tommy Lee both missed the target, King had a header cleared off the line and Lee's shot was blocked by Finn’s legs.
Romford’s best chance of the half came just before the break when Des Gallen broke down the right and crossed to the far post where Petrit Elbi just failed to make enough contact to turn the ball home.
Early in the second half Lee volleyed over from a Jones cross and he then shot wide from a Begg pass.
Romford then took the game to Brentwood and created three excellent chances in succession. A quick free kick put Elbi clear but Hardingham saved and Nick Savidge managed to clear by flicking the ball over the crossbar. Then Ricky Mackin's shot almost fell into the path of Elbi and Andy Oxby’s fine cross found the unmarked Danny Rafis who mishit his shot wide.
Cowley just failed to make enough contact with a low header from Begg’s cross before Boro were reduced to ten men in the 75th minute when Paul Clayton received his second yellow card of the afternoon.
Brentwood almost capitalised soon after and seemed unlucky to have a goal disallowed when, after a goalmouth scramble which saw the ball rebound off the bar and then stopped on the goal line, Lee hit the ball into the net. Lee was clearly onside but another Brentwood player was in an offside position.
But that was soon forgotten as Brentwood took the lead. Substitute Lee Noble hit a terrific shot just inside the post. It was a goal worthy of winning a cup final and Brentwood thought they had done enough to earn a deserved win. But Elbi produced a moment of brilliance six minutes from time, hitting a great shot into the top corner from 25 yards to send the game into extra time.
Now it was Brentwood who were rocked and Romford substitute Danny Downer, one of six former Brentwood players on the field by this time, shot wide when well placed to score.
There were few chances in extra time, although King made a good challenge to stop Downer in the second period, and the game went to penalties,
Romford’s two top scorers, Gallen and Elbi, both missed, Gallen shooting over and Hardingham saving well low to his left from Elbi, and Richard Ketchell shot wide for Brentwood before Noble “opened the scoring” with the fourth kick. John Maskell made it 1-1, and Cowley put Brentwood back in front but only after a twice taken kick, Finn having moved off his line for the first effort.
Oxby shot tamely straight at Hardingham who then took Brentwood’s next penalty himself but his effort hit the underside of the bar. Downer scored for 2-2 and Donovan Wilson had a chance to win it for Brentwood but Finn turned his shot onto the post.
So after five penalties each it was sudden death and Romford twice went ahead through Rafis and Scott Walsh, only for Jimmy Noakes and Begg to equalise under pressure. Finally Lee Pyne's shot only hit a post and up stepped Glen Golby to coolly slot home into the bottom corner to win Brentwood the Cup.
Romford’s Finn was a deserved winner of the man of the match. The afternoon was excellently host by Barkingside FC.
So ended the most successful season in Brentwood's history and congratulation to manager Steve Witherspoon, his coaches and the squad of players that performed consistently well through a long hard season.
Brentwood Town: Mark Hardingham, Steven King, Nick Savidge, Richard Ketchell, Glen Golby, Dan Dafter, Riki Holmes (Donovan Wilson 106), Nick Cowley, Tommy Lee (Jimmy Noakes 82), Michael Begg, Steve Jones (Lee Noble 71)
Attendance: 585