Brentwood Town made it back-to-back league wins with a 3–1 victory over Cray Valley Paper Mills at The Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Danny Ogunleye, Kymani Thomas and Louie Johnson saw the Blues turn the game on its head after falling behind to an early opener from the Millers, finished by Kenny Aileru.
Played out in wet and miserable conditions, both sides went into the contest knowing three points were crucial. For Brentwood, it was an opportunity to tighten their grip on a play-off position, while for the visitors it represented a chance to climb out of the relegation places; particularly with Wingate & Finchley’s home fixture against Canvey Island postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Brentwood started on the front foot and nearly made the early pressure count. Louie Johnson showed great tenacity and capitalised on a loose ball in the Millers’ defence, his deflected strike crashing into the side netting before he fired narrowly wide from the resulting corner.
The Blues continued to dominate the opening exchanges. Scott Kashket was a constant threat down the right and slipped a pass through to Andy Freeman, whose delivery from the left flank found Kymani Thomas; but his effort drifted over the crossbar.
Freeman and Kashket combined again moments later, with the former Wycombe Wanderers forward fizzing a left-footed effort just wide of Taite Holtam’s goal.
Despite the hosts’ early chances, it was the visitors who struck first just after the 20-minute mark. A corner delivery from Kurtis Cumberbatch was flicked on by Dan Bowry, finding Kenny Aileru in space, who fired past Aiden Prall with an acrobatic finish.
The Blues didn’t let their heads drop and looked to respond immediately. Minutes after falling behind, Kymani Thomas drove down the left flank and produced a low cross towards the back post, which fell just ahead of Danny Ogunleye.
As half-time approached, Cray Valley appeared set to go into the break in front before Ogunleye hauled Brentwood level with less than two minutes remaining of normal time. A well-placed corner from Ade Cole was met by the prolific striker, left unmarked, and he powered a header past the helpless Taite Holtam.
That was not the end of the first-half action, however. As stoppage time approached, Millers substitute Kareem Isiaka – introduced early following an injury to captain Tom Beere – slid a neat through ball into the path of Marcel Barrington. The winger attempted to round Prall before shooting, but the Brentwood ‘keeper stood tall and made himself big to block the effort.
Both sides started the second-half at pace. The visitors fashioned the first chance inside the opening minute as Barrington’s trademark long throw was not fully dealt with. Given time to recycle possession, the winger delivered back into the box and picked out an unmarked Isiaka, whose tame header was comfortably saved by Prall.
Brentwood responded almost immediately. Max Hudson’s low cross caused havoc in the penalty area, bouncing off a cluster of bodies before falling to Kashket, whose powerful strike forced a full-stretch save from Taite Holtam to deny him his first Blues goal.
Kashket continued to be a threat down the right as the game wore on. Showing great skill to skip past Clement Asiedu, his looping cross from the byline was met by the head of Danny Ogunleye, only for the effort to be knocked agonisingly over the bar.
Disaster then almost struck for the hosts from one of their own corners. Cray Valley cleared the initial danger through Kurtis Cumberbatch, and a mix-up between Wyan Reid and Hudson on the halfway line allowed Isiaka to steal possession and drive into the Brentwood box, dragging his shot wide. A let-off for the home side.
On the hour mark, Brentwood had penalty appeals waved away by referee Kyfer Mayhew after Hudson was brought down on the edge of the area following a well-worked corner routine. A free-kick was awarded instead, with Hudson’s low effort palmed away by Holtam. The pressure continued as Hudson’s floated delivery was narrowly headed wide by Ethan Kaiser.
Keith Rowland turned to his bench in search of a breakthrough, introducing Aaron Sterling – signed on a work experience deal from Leyton Orient – for his Brentwood debut. The youngster made an immediate impact, his first touch being a close-range effort that was brilliantly saved by Holtam.
Moments later, the Blues had their reward. Johnson picked out Sterling’s perfectly timed run down the right, and the winger showed blistering pace to glide past Asiedu before delivering a superb cross that was turned home at the back post by Kymani Thomas – his sixth goal in ten games.
Chances became scarce thereafter, though the Millers threatened with just over ten minutes remaining as substitutes Dan Ajakaiye and Makise Evans combined, the latter heading narrowly wide from a deep searching cross.
Sensing the game was still not settled, Brentwood pushed for a decisive third goal. Sterling, a constant thorn since his introduction, was fouled just outside the box by Marvel Ekpiteta. Up stepped Johnson, who curled a sublime free-kick into the bottom right-hand corner, leaving Holtam with no chance.
From there, the Blues saw out the contest comfortably. There was still time for one final opportunity for the visitors deep into stoppage time, but Barrington headed well over from Bowry’s cross, sealing a deserved victory for Brentwood.
Brentwood Town are back in action next Saturday (14th February) as they travel to Ramsgate! There is a players coach travelling to the game, and there will be 12 seats available for Club24 members! More information to follow.
The Blues are then back in home action the following Saturday (21st February) as they host Whitehawk at The Arena. Tickets for this fixture are available to purchase in advance on Fanbase here!
BRENTWOOD TOWN: Prall (GK), Reid, Cripps (C), Kaiser, Hudson, Cole (Edwards 57′), Freeman (Brooke 57′), Johnson, Kashket (Sterling 67′), Thomas (Hughes 77′), Ogunleye (Vaivada 88′)
Subs not used: N/A
CRAY VALLEY (PM): Holtam (GK), Green (Gayle 70′), Bowry, Ekpiteta, Asiedu, Agyemang, Cumberbatch (Waldren 83′), Beere (C) (Isiaka 13′), Barrington, Aileru (Ajakaiye 67′), Liburd (Evans 70′)
Subs not used: N/A
Words by Michaela Georgopolous & Chris Berry
Photos courtesy of Nick Gunn
