It was an afternoon to forget for Brentwood Town with their first home game of 2026 ending in a 4-1 defeat to play-off rivals Cray Wanderers.
A clinical first half display from the Wands, with goals from Alex Hernandez, Lateef Adaja and a Saul Kader brace giving the visitors a 4-0 lead heading into the break. Kymani Thomas pulled a goal back in the final 15 minutes for the Blues, but Wanderers were able to see it out and secure the three points, moving them up to 4th place in the table.
The Blues found an early chance when the through ball of Thomas down the centre of midfield was met by Alejandro Machado, who then squared a pass back to Thomas, before his curling effort was fired just over the bar.
Six minutes in though, Saul Kader put the Wands ahead by capitalising on a loose ball and floating his strike over Melvin Minter.
A few minutes later, the Wands were then awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area. Hernandez, Wanderers’ leading goalscorer, curled his effort on target, only to be denied by the palms of Minter.
The Blues nearly responded moments afterwards, as Max Hudson’s close-range attempt was denied by the gloves of Harry Seaden.
The Wands doubled their lead on the half-hour mark. Another dangerous free-kick won on the edge of the Brentwood box, and Hernandez wasn’t to be denied this time, as his curling effort went over the wall and nestled into the top corner, leaving Minter with no chance.
Things then went from bad to worse for Brentwood, as Kader quickly added a third just two minutes later. A long ball over the top wasn’t dealt with, and the forward snuck in between Minter and Matt Cripps, and dinked a ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.
Just before half-time Brentwood won a dangerous free-kick of their own, though there were shouts for a penalty with Frankie Morgan appearing to handle the ball in the box. A tight call, and the resulting effort from Machado was met by a tip over from Seaden.
Adaja then secured a fourth in first-half stoppage time, with another great finish, seeing his curled effort reaching the top corner of goal.
Manager Keith Rowland made two changes at half-time as the Blues looked to mount an unlikely comeback, Charlee Hughes and Reiss Webber being introduced for Jesse Olukolu and Montel Agyemang.
Brentwood rallied in the second-half, and looked a better side than what was seen in the first 45′. Johnson had a goal ruled out for offside, whilst Wanderers looked dangerous on the break, with Adaja coming close on 3 separate occasions.
Brentwood continued to push as a strike by Thomas saw a shot cleared off the line from Morgan, but Thomas did eventually pull a goal back back with 15 minutes remaining, when his low-range shot was drilled into the bottom corner.
A few moments later, Brentwood won a penalty after Machado was dragged down in the Cray box – a good chance to reduce the deficit and make the remainder of the game uncomfortable for the visitors. Hughes stepped up to take the penalty, but Seaden denied the forward, guessing the right way, and killed off any hope of a resurgence.
The Blues return to league on Saturday 17th January in an all important Essex Derby against Billericay Town at New Lodge.
BRENTWOOD TOWN: Minter (GK), Freeman, Cripps (C), Kaiser, Hudson, Agyemang (Webber 46′), Machado, Johnson (Edwards 72′), Olukolu (Hughes 46′), Thomas, Ogunleye (Vaivada 72′)
Subs not used: Aarons Royal
CRAY WANDERERS: Seaden (GK), Gyamera (Keto 90+2′), Morgan, Waldock, Sutton, Bonner (C), Mongoy (Price 90+2′), Raymond, Hernandez (Hand 53′), Kader, Adaja
Subs not used: Dickson, Taylor
By Michaela Georgopolous
