FA Cup Second Qualifying Round
Royston Town vs Brentwood Town
1-0

Brentwood Town bow out of FA Cup qualifying with a narrow defeat on the road to Royston Town. A goal in the 70th minute by captain Adam Murray was enough to edge the tie and advance the Crows into the next round - just one round short of their club record that they achieved during the 2019-20 season.

The Blues came marginally close to taking the lead inside five minutes when Wyan Reid flicked a pass across field through to Kymani Thomas, who progressed beyond his defender before placing the ball inches wide of the near post.

Minutes later there were calls for a Crows’ penalty as Murray had collided with Romél Aarons-Royal, but the officials waved on play.

At the other end of the field Andy Freeman managed to cut inside the left and whip in a cross into the box, which was met by the header of Charlee Hughes but was knocked wide.

The Blues continued to attack with a burst from Thomas down the left flank. He squared a cross to Louie Johnson whose effort was shot just narrowly wide of right post to keep both sides level at the break. 

As the second half commenced Brentwood emerged as they had ended the first. A delivery by Max Hudson was whipped into the box to an unmarked Hughes but was headed ground wards before it was knocked wide.

Skipper Murray puts the hosts ahead in the final 20 minutes of the game as he was picked out in the centre of the box before his half volley attempt was struck into the net.

The Crows momentarily doubled their lead as Harrison Rookard found himself one-on-one with Melvin Minter and slotted his attempt to the far post, but the officials eventually ruled out for offside.

Brentwood Town return back to league action on Saturday as they welcome Billericay Town to The Arena in an Essex Derby. As we are expecting a large crowd, we advise that tickets are purchased via FanBase here. 
 

By Michaela Georgopoulos