Brentwood Town 3-2 Brightlingsea Regent
Essex Senior Cup

Brentwood Town advance into the next round of the Essex Senior Cup after a a stoppage time strike in the 92nd minute of play sealed their victory over Brightlingsea Regent.

An early chance fell to Charlie Edwards on the edge of box, with his strike knocking wide of left post.

The visitors opened the scoring in sixth minute as George Doyle buried his effort into the bottom corner of goal.

Only a matter of minutes had passed until The Blues found an equaliser. A long-range effort by Sam Park encountered a save from Luke Avenell but was placed into the path of Danny Ogunleye, who was on hand to convert from close range down the right flank.

Charles Hughes came close to taking the lead before the break with a header from a promising corner delivery, but his effort fell narrowly wide of the near post.

Both sides emerged into the second half eager to break the deadlock. The visitors had the first chance with powerful strike of Dan Rowe inside the area forcing a stretched save from debutant Matas Skoro.

With 20 minutes remaining Regent restored the lead as captain Charlie Durling tapped home a rebound that ricocheted off the woodwork from close range.

Benas Vaivada levelled The Blues moments later as he burst down the left flank before cutting behind the defence and nestled his effort into the far corner.

With the end of stoppage time imminent, The Blues gained a corner with the curling delivery of Fletcher Hubbard finding Edwards at the centre of goal, who’s header floated above Avenell to find the back of the net.

The performance last night saw success for the club with six players from Brentwood Town’s Under 23s squad making their first-team debuts. Congratulations to Matas Skoro, Max Hawkins, Connor Grace, Louie Gibbins, Callum Goodey and Josh Lawford.

The Blues return to cup action at home this Saturday as they welcome Welling United to The Arena for the First Round of the FA Trophy.

By Michaela Georgopoulos