brentwoodtownfc.co.uk

EASTERN JUNIOR ALLIANCE UNDER 18 CUP QUARTER-FINAL
HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS 1 BRENTWOOD TOWN 3
The 18s gained a hard fought victory without ever firing on all cylinders, gaining safe passage through to the semi-final of the EJA’s premier cup competition. The boys were quick out the blocks taking a lead in the second minute after Ollie Dingli crossed to find his strike partner Matt Hawkes, who in turn produced a fine finish past Swifts stopper Aaron Hosford.
Unfortunately for the rest of the half the boys failed to produce the flowing football they had shown in previous games. In part this was down to the work ethic shown by their opponents, in fact Swifts equalised in the 35th minute when Town Keeper Max Castledine made an uncharacteristic error failing to deal with a very speculative shot from a Swifts Midfielder.
After a half time dressing down failed to gain the necessary reaction, the Town management decided a complete change in formation was required. All of a sudden the boys started to fashion some clear cut chances with both Jordon O'Donoughue and Ollie Dingli spurning opportunities.
In the 85th minute the previously lack lustre Dingli came alive, getting on the end of a fine through ball to give Brentwood the lead, and he then duplicated this feat by scoring his second goal of the match to put the game beyond the reach of Heybridge.
It must be said the boys have played better than this and lost matches this season, at least they have the consolation that the game was won and they can now look forward to a semi-final in a few weeks time.