The Blues welcome National League South side Chelmsford City, who pose another tough challenge as Town look to ramp up their preparations for the 25/26 season.
The Blues
Brentwood Town are coming into this game off the back of a 5-0 loss against League One opposition. Leyton Orient brought their first team to The Arena, as both teams got their pre-season fixtures underway. The Blues started well with an early chance in the first few minutes but it was Orient who got the opener in the 10th minute through Azeem Abdulai. Fifteen minutes later a trialist got the second putting the Blues 2-0 down by the break.
With many half time changes, the second half kicked off, but after just 8 minutes Zach Hambury bagged Orient’s third of the afternoon. Melvin Minter then saved a penalty, diving superbly down to his right, however Diallang Jaiyesimi and Sonny Perkins netted the 4th and 5th respectively in the final 20 minutes. Whilst on paper the loss looks heavy, the Blues showed their talent against a high calibre opposition, creating many chances and challenging the Orient defenders.
The Clarets
Chelmsford City play in the National League South and last season finished in 11th. They are yet to get their pre-season campaign underway, but have been very busy in the transfer window. They made their first signing on the 21st of May, picking up goalkeeper Chris Haigh from Worthing, before signing striker Jack Barham from Aldershot. Defender David Longe-King also signed for the Clarets from St Albans, with Tom Lapslie joining from Torquay United. Dom Odusanya joined from Eastbourne Borough, Josh Castiglione rejoined Chelmsford from St Albans, Joe Grimwood joined from National League winners Barnet and Kian Ronan joined from Kings Lynn Town. Their most recent three transfers were Josh Hedges from Salisbury, Ben Tompkins from Hemel Hempstead Town and Shiloh Remy from Dagenham & Redbridge.
There were some more notable signings for the Clarets- Taylor Clark and Harry Barbrook who both joined from EFL teams. Clark signed for Chelmsford on the expiration of his Wycombe Wanderers contract, and is an exciting talent who played in the West Ham academy. Barbrook, another 20 year old, joined from Ipswich Town having spent the second half of the 24/25 season on loan with the Clarets. Chelmsford should provide a tough test, playing one league above Brentwood Town’s new league, the Isthmian Premier, following the Blues league winning 24/25 season.
By Matthew Trevelyan
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Photo: Nick Gunn
