Brentwood Town secured back-to-back league wins at The Arena in a six-goal thriller against Cheshunt.
Three first half goals scored in quick succession by Nat Mardell, Alfie Cerulli and Andy Freeman provided The Blues a comfortable half-time advantage, before substitute Freddie Sears rounded off the scoring after Cheshunt pulled two back before the hour mark.
Brentwood put on a comprehensive display in the opening 10 minutes, and produced a flurry of chances to trouble The Ambers’ backline. Cerulli nearly found the opening goal as he retrieved a well-weighted pass floated into his path by Ryan Henshaw, and struck his volley against the far post.
Brentwood continued on the front foot as a strike outside of the area by Luke Read was fired over, before Suley Zuhdu was played in behind the backline but struck his effort wide of the post.
However, the Blues were dealt a blow, being forced into an early substitution as the injured Harry Gibbs was replaced by Malachi Linton, resulting in a change to the formation which Cheshunt looked to exploit.
Jakai Bascoe-Fisher broke away down the right flank and delivered a low cross, which was met by Kenny Coker at the back post but his effort was drilled wide.
Further chances fell in favour of the visitors when the free-kick delivery of Cole Dasilva initially cleared by The Blues, before the follow up of Joe Re was fizzed wide.
With half-time imminent Brentwood looked to find a breakthrough and capitalised on the counterattack to open the scoring. Cerulli glided down the left flank and made his way into the box, with his delivery from the byline teeing up Nat Mardell who slotted home his personal second of the season.
Barely two minutes had passed before the lead was doubled with Mardell returning the favour. He pulled back a delivery from the byline which Cerulli drilled beyond keeper R’avan Constable for his fourth in five Sky Blue appearances.
It was a clinical five minutes from The Blues as they found a third before the break as a corner delivery from Freeman was curled to the near post and helped into the net by the gloves of Constable in first-half added time.
The visitors responded brightly following the restart, however, and were awarded a dangerously positioned free-kick. The delivery of Dasilva was initially deflected by The Blues wall, before the follow-up header of Tommy Wood reached the back of the net.
Giddens was then called into action as the close-range effort of Granville forced a low diving save to parry his shot out for a corner. Cheshunt continued to gain momentum, and pulled back another goal to reduce the deficit as a looped corner delivery reached the crowded area and was tapped in by Bascoe-Fisher.
The Blues had a penalty appeal dismissed after Read was considered to have been brought to the ground by Constable, but nothing was given by the referee.
Both sides pushed for a goal in the closing stages with the effort of Read dragged wide and an edge of the box volley by Dasilva struck wide.
Substitute Freddie Sears restored the Blues’ two-goal advantage three minutes into added time. Mardell was able to retrieve the ball ahead of Mvemba and pick out Sears who slotted his effort down the centre of goal to seal the win.
The Blues are back at home for league action once again this Saturday as they welcome Cray Wanderers to The Arena in what is sure to be another difficult test.
BRENTWOOD TOWN: Giddens (GK), Davis (Gipson 46’) (Saunders 68’), Henshaw, Gibbs (C) (Linton 11’), Reid, Read, Edwards, Freeman, Cerulli (Cripps 58’), Mardell, Zuhdu (Sears 85’)
Unused subs: N/A
CHESHUNT: Constable (GK), Hedge, Iontton, Da Silva (C), Coker, Re, Wood, Granville, Bascoe-Fisher, Dasilva, Wright (Mvemba 77’)
Unused subs: Gamage (GK), Richefond, Lanquedoc, Boadi
Report by Michaela Georgopolous
