Easter Weekend Round-Up: Burgess Hill Town 3-2 Brentwood Town / Brentwood Town 2–0 Welling United
Brentwood Town took 3 points from a busy Easter weekend, remaining firmly in the play-off places despite a narrow defeat on the road before bouncing back with an impressive home victory.
The Blues began the weekend with a trip to Burgess Hill Town, where they were edged out in a five-goal encounter. After falling behind to Kaan Bennett’s early opener, Brentwood responded well as Louie Johnson rifled home a long-range effort following good work from Max Hudson and Benas Vaivada.
However, the hosts regained the lead just before the break through Chris Whelpdale, and extended their advantage shortly after half-time when Ben Pope’s looping header made it 3–1.
Brentwood pushed hard to get back into the contest, and Ethan Kaiser reduced the deficit with a well-taken header from Johnson’s corner. Despite late pressure and chances for Matt Cripps and Johnson, the Blues were unable to find an equaliser, as Burgess Hill held on for the win.
BURGESS HILL TOWN: Dike (GK), Morrison, Rea, Spinks, Ward, Vorster (Burchell 90+6′), Rowe (C), Lawson, Bennett (King 81′), Whelpdale (Beckford 80′), Pope
Subs not used: Price, Malins
BRENTWOOD TOWN: Prall (GK), Reid, Cripps (C), Kaiser, Hudson, Cole (Edwards 55′), Machado (Hughes 55′), Johnson, Thomas (Sach 55′), Vaivada (Kashket 55′), Ogunleye
Subs not used: Freeman
The Blues responded in perfect fashion on Easter Monday with a dominant 2–0 victory over Welling United at the Brentwood Centre Arena.
After a strong start, Brentwood took the lead midway through the first half when Charlie Edwards reacted quickest to slot home after Mackenzie Foley’s initial save. The hosts controlled proceedings throughout, limiting Welling to few opportunities while continuing to threaten going forward.
The second goal arrived in the second half following excellent link-up play, with Bradley Sach and Danny Ogunleye combining to release Kymani Thomas, who finished confidently into the far corner.
Brentwood continued to create chances, with Scott Kashket and Ogunleye both going close, but the two-goal advantage proved more than enough as the Blues secured a ninth clean sheet of the campaign.
With one win and one defeat across the weekend, Brentwood remain well-placed in the play-off race heading into the final fixtures of the season.
BRENTWOOD TOWN: Prall (GK), Reid, Cripps (C), Kaiser, Freeman, Cole, Edwards, Johnson, Ogunleye, Thomas (Kashket 72′), Sach (Hughes 77′)
Subs not used: Vaivada, Hudson, Machado
WELLING UNITED: Foley, O’Keefe, Majoyegbe, Paternoster (Gunner 77′), Arthur, Thomas (C) (Oluwatimilehin 57′), Ufuah, Reynolds (Reeve 46′), Smith (Gard 40′), Azeez, Stewart (Akanbi 72′)
Subs not used: N/A
Written by Michaela Georgopolous
