Overview

Josh Wiggins claimed a hat-trick as Brentwood produced another scintillating replay performance to reach the 2nd Qualifying round of the FA Trophy where they will meet Needham Market at the Brentwood Arena on Saturday 11th November.

Bedford had contained Brentwood well in the first game on Saturday and another tight affair was expected at the Eyrie on Tuesday. However, both sides began creating chances in the first half. Leroy Griffiths had the first opportunity in the sixth minute, Brentwood goalkeeper Anthony Page coming out bravely to stop him with both players needing treatment after they collided.

The visitors then produced a good move and Luke Foster looked certain to score but his shot was blocked for a corner. Andy Freeman then shot off target in the 25th minute from Alfie Hilton’s pass after the home defence was caught out by a quickly-taken free kick by Matt Hall.

But two minutes later Brentwood took the lead, a goal created by the persistence of Wiggins who shut down a defender, won the ball and expertly clipped the ball over home keeper Kyle Forster from 20 yards.

Brentwood came under a lot of pressure in the five minutes before half time with Page saving from Griffiths and Ashton Grant and Hall heading off the line.

But they then produced a devastating spell that produced three goals in the first twenty minutes of the second half. In the 54th minute, Wiggins took on the defence on the left and ran into the area to hit a shot that went in via the far post with Freeman on hand to make sure the ball crossed the line.

Five minutes later, Wiggins started and finished another move, his pass finding Freeman who was stopped by the onrushing Forster, but the ball came back to Wiggins who coolly finished with the keeper stranded.

In the 65th minute it was 4-0 when centre back Brenden Cavalier had time to gather Foster’s free kick, turn and shoot home.

Bedford were not yet finished and reduced the arrears through Dean Dummett three minutes later and Josh Oyibo in the 89th minute. in between these two goals, Brentwood could easily have extended their lead with Freeman and Izzy Bademosi constantly troubling a tiring defence.