The Blues host their fourth pre-season friendly, this time playing Grays Athletic- the first lower league side to visit the Arena in the warm up to the season. Athletic will play in the Isthmian North Division next season- the league that Brentwood were promoted from in 24/25.

Brentwood Town

Brentwood Town hosted Hornchurch in their latest pre-season test, with the visitors taking home a 2-0 win. Charlie Ruff got the scoring underway early on in the 7th minute, and Joe Taylor added the second in the 31st. Whilst the result looks disappointing, it was a good fitness test against a National League South side. Some of Town’s most talented players returned to the eleven for the match, with Daniel Ogunleye and Romel Aarons Royal both featuring- Ogunleye having scored 43 goals for the Blues last season.

This match was Brentwood’s third pre-season test, and unfortunately they are yet to score in any of them. They have however played one League One side and two National League South sides, who have all provided tough tests, meaning the main aim so far has been fitness. The Grays challenge should prove a far more even match, as last season, both sides won one of the meetings each. The home fixture for the Blues came first, and they were beaten 5-1 by a competitive Grays side, before Brentwood won 2-0 away from home thanks to an Ogunleye double. The focus recently has been on fitness, but for Keith Rowland’s side, they will aim to use this as an opportunity to showcase their ability.

Grays Athletic

Grays have already played 4 pre-season friendlies, the latest being against East Thurrock Community FC last Tuesday night. The game was a comfortable 4-0 win for the Blues with four different goal scorers. Callum Fitzer opened the scoring for the away side in the 30th minute, before Sam Bantick scored a penalty in the 38th minute. Lukaku scored just before half time in the 44th minute giving the visitors a strong lead before the break. The last goal came in the 51st minute from Oscar Shelvey, showing the strength of the Blues attacking options. Their other three pre-season matches were 2-2 draw to Haringey Borough, a 3-2 win against Wingate & Finchley and 2-1 loss to Rayleigh in their first outing.

There have been many signings for Grays, with the Blues looking to build on a competitive 24/25 campaign. Jayden Silcott-Brown joins the Blues from Dover Athletic, a National League South side- two steps above where Grays sit. Silcott-Brown is a winger, who should bolster their attacking ranks. Callum Fitzer also joined, along with midfielder Oscar Shelvey. Lewis Clark and Macaulay Jones both return to the club, having spent time elsewhere, and both defenders should make a real difference at the back. Clark’s twin brother Jordan is also joining the club, having had a superb career already at this level. Joe Paxman also rejoins having spent the last few years away from the club. The last new signing is George Marsh, a goalkeeper who signed following the retirement of Danny Sambridge.

By Matthew Trevelyan 

Photo: Nick Gunn Photography