brentwoodtownfc.co.uk

Sunday 22nd January
EASTERN JUNIOR ALLIANCE (Under-16 Suffolk Division)
RANSOME SPORTS 2 BRENTWOOD TOWN 3
Brentwood won the toss and decide to attack the goal that was facing a very strong wind, hoping that it would die down in the second half.

Saturday 21st January
RYMAN DIVISION ONE NORTH
BRENTWOOD TOWN 1 WARE 0
Brentwood Town put last week’s disappointment behind them, with a routine 1-0 victory over league strugglers Ware at The Arena on Saturday.
On the back of a defeat to league leaders Enfield Town, Steve Witherspoon’s men looked to bounce back with a win and a first half strike from midfielder Steve Butterworth ensured The Blues all three points.
The opening quarter of an hour was dominated by Brentwood possession and opportunities. Dean Green opened the game with a headed effort from just inside the box. A great cross from Lee Blackburn presented the striker with the opportunity, which flew over the Ware crossbar.
Emmanuel Osei showed great persistence on 4 minutes to keep the ball in play when possession looked lost. The striker then passed the ball to Butterworth, who showed good skill to back heel to Green. Green was again unable to hit the target, this time firing over the bar from the edge of the area. 
Brentwood had another opportunity to take the lead on 9 minutes, when a Ryan Edgar half-volley failed to hit the target. Blackburn sent a corner into the Ware box, which was cleared only as far as Edgar. The striker struck the ball well, but failed to keep his effort down.
The only goal of the game came on 11 minutes. Danny Dafter played through Butterworth down the left, who showed great awareness to cut in on his right foot- curling his effort past Ware’s Rhys Madden.  The Blues’ were in the ascendance, and thoroughly deserved the game’s opener.
Brentwood would have doubled their lead 2 minutes later had it not have been for a great save from Madden to deny Osei. Green squared the ball to his strike partner inside the Ware box, who drilled the ball towards goal. Madden excellently stopped the shot with his legs, in what appeared to be a certain second for Brentwood.
The visitors’ best opportunity of the game came on 16 minutes. After a scrappy piece of defending from Brentwood to clear a Ware corner, the ball landed at the feet of Danny Johnson. The midfielder failed to take advantage of his opportunity, and his effort from just inside the penalty area was saved well by Elliot Justham.
Butterworth was unlucky not to grab his and his side’s second of the game on 23 minutes, in what was a carbon copy of his earlier goal. Edgar this time with the assist; Butterworth cut in from the left, but fired just wide of the far post.
A minute later, Blackburn squandered a great opportunity to double Brentwood’s lead. Osei did well to cut the ball back to the midfielder who stood unmarked in the Ware penalty area - but Blackburn’s side-footed effort flew harmlessly over the bar.
Brentwood’s best chance to take a two goal advantage came on the half an hour mark. Butterworth crossed the ball from the by-line, and with the Ware ‘keeper helpless on the ground, Green poked over the bar from 5 yards.
Ware continued to battle, and Kieran Weekes looked to snatch an equaliser for the visitors just before the break. His 20 yard shot did not really trouble Justham, who watched the ball fly wide of the target.
Brentwood began the second half looking to net the all important second goal. Osei squandered a glaring opportunity to double his side’s lead on 49 minutes, with a headed effort towards an open goal. After Madden did well to block a Butterworth effort, the ball fell to the striker who was unable to guide his header into the empty net.
Ware almost grabbed a goal 2 minutes later. After Edgar fouled Aime Blessing, Tom Querry delivered a free kick from 30 yards towards the Brentwood back post. The cross was eluded by the Brentwood defenders, but unfortunately for the visitors, was also narrowly missed by the attacking Vince Rispoli.
It appeared Brentwood had taken their foot off the pedal slightly, and Ware began to pile on the pressure in their hunt for an equaliser. Wes Beckles’ free header flew just wide of the target on 74 minutes, after a Rispoli free kick was delivered to the far post.
Brentwood looked strong at the back, and it took a 35 yard strike from second half substitute Michael Akande deep into stoppage time to try to grab the equaliser. The ball was picked up unchallenged by Akande, whose effort flew agonisingly over Justham’s bar.
Saturday’s win represents a routine 3 points for The Blues. Brentwood dominated the first half, and were unlucky not to have scored more goals but for a fine save from Rhys Madden, and a case of misfiring in front of the target. Ware, to their credit, never gave up, and looked to steal a point from The Arena. Brentwood were in the end good value for their 3 points, and Steve Witherspoon will be especially happy with his team’s first half performance.