Brentwood Town sealed their place in the 2025/26 Isthmian Premier League play-offs as a second-half strike from Bradley Sach proved the difference in a hard-fought victory over a resilient Cheshunt side.
The win also marks a historic milestone, confirming the Blues will achieve their highest-ever finish since the club’s reformation.
Little separated the sides in the first half, with both teams threatening primarily from set-pieces. Cheshunt came close early on when Tommy Wood flashed a header wide, before Brentwood responded through a dangerous Kymani Thomas corner. Sach’s header looked destined for goal, only to be deflected narrowly over his own bar by Dequane Wilson-Braithwaite.
Cheshunt’s best opportunity of the half fell to left-back Freddie Cowin, who cut inside onto his right foot and struck from distance, forcing Aiden Prall to palm the effort wide.
As the half drew to a close, Brentwood were awarded a central free-kick after Alejandro Machado was fouled by Wilson-Braithwaite. Machado stepped up and drove his effort under the wall, only to see it clip the outside of the post, much to the relief of Aymen Azaze.
The Blues emerged with intent after the break, dominating possession and pushing to break the deadlock. Danny Ogunleye came close when he cut inside and fired an effort narrowly across goal.
The decisive moment arrived just before the hour mark. Ogunleye’s headed flick found Sach at the back post, and he reacted sharply to fire a composed half-volley home from close range under heavy pressure.
From there, Brentwood focused on managing the game, aware that victory—combined with Dartford dropping points at Chichester City—would secure their play-off place.
They nearly doubled their lead soon after, as Sach surged down the right and delivered a pinpoint cross to Machado, whose header was well saved by Azaze.
The pressure continued, with Thomas forcing another save from the Cheshunt goalkeeper, while Sach remained heavily involved in Brentwood’s attacking play.
Cheshunt, however, threatened a late response. A well-worked free-kick routine saw the ball headed across goal, but substitute Kenny Coker could only guide his effort over the bar, much to Brentwood’s relief.
Substitute Ade Cole added energy in midfield, winning possession and trying his luck from distance, though his effort drifted wide. He was later handed another opportunity from a free-kick after Charlie Edwards was fouled on the edge of the box, but Azaze was equal to his curling strike.
After four minutes of added time, the final whistle sparked celebrations, as results elsewhere confirmed Brentwood Town’s place in the Isthmian Premier League play-offs with a game to spare.
The Blues return to The Arena next Saturday for their final game of the regular 2025/26 season, where they will host Chichester City, aiming to finish strongly ahead of the play-offs—where a tie against Aveley or Billericay Town awaits.
CHESHUNT: Azaze (GK), Akolbire, Wilson-Braithwaite, Furlong, Naylor, Cowin, Granville, Iontton (Fanimo 60′), Effa (Coker 60′), Kurran-Browne (Vasiliou 72′), Wood (Melvin-Lambert 72′)
Subs not used: Da Silva
BRENTWOOD TOWN: Prall (GK), Reid, Cripps (C), Kaiser, Freeman, Edwards, Machado, Johnson (Cole 74′), Ogunleye, Thomas (Vaivada 84′), Sach
Subs not used: Olukolu, Hughes, Hudson
Written by Michaela Georgopolous
