Brentwood Town returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion with a commanding victory over an in-form Whitehawk side, who arrived unbeaten in their last seven league fixtures.
A brace from Danny Ogunleye, a composed penalty from Kymani Thomas, and a debut goal for Bradley Sach secured all three points in what was a perfect response to last weekend’s defeat away at Ramsgate.
It was a bright and purposeful start from the Blues, who needed just five minutes to open the scoring. A slick move down the left saw debutant Bradley Sach combine neatly with Kymani Thomas. The winger delivered a delicious cross into the box, where talisman Danny Ogunleye was on hand to flick beyond Lennon MacLorg. There were suggestions the final touch may have come off Hugo Odogwu-Atkinson, but the goal was ultimately credited to the Brentwood striker.
Despite the early breakthrough, Brentwood nearly handed Whitehawk an immediate route back into the contest. A free-kick in the Hawks’ half was cheaply conceded by Ogunleye, allowing Joel Daly to seize possession and surge almost the entire length of the pitch, weaving past a series of challenges. Reaching the edge of the area, Daly unleashed a low drive that was smartly saved by Aiden Prall.
Whitehawk soon underlined their threat from set-pieces, particularly through long throws from both full-backs. With just under ten minutes played, a dangerous delivery from Stefan Wright caused panic in the Brentwood defence. The ball dropped invitingly for Harry Lodovica, who turned and shot, only for captain Matt Cripps to produce a crucial clearance off the line.
From that point, Brentwood began to assert control and press for a second goal. Their opportunity arrived when Charlie Edwards – making his first start for the Blues since Cheshunt in December – was brought down inside the area. A well-worked throw-in routine between Wyan Reid and Ogunleye allowed the right-back to whip in a dangerous cross. Wright failed to deal with the delivery and, in attempting to recover, clipped Edwards. The referee pointed to the spot without hesitation.
Kymani Thomas stepped up seeking his tenth goal of the season and showed composure beyond his years, calmly sending MacLorg the wrong way. The strike moved him into second place in Brentwood’s scoring charts this season, one ahead of Charlee Hughes and behind only Ogunleye.
With confidence flowing, Brentwood continued to create chances. Thomas nearly added another, firing narrowly over the bar, before Louie Johnson tested MacLorg from distance – the goalkeeper gathering the midfielders attempt just ahead of the lurking Thomas.
Whitehawk fashioned their next meaningful opportunity shortly after the half-hour mark. A corner was initially cleared by Edwards but only as far as Taufee Skandari, whose cross was flicked on by captain Rob O’Toole – a scorer in the reverse fixture earlier this season. However, his effort was comfortably claimed by Prall.
There was still time for further Brentwood pressure before the interval. Both Cripps and Alejandro Machado saw headers from corners drift off target, but the intent was clear. The Blues were determined to put the game beyond doubt and prevent any chance of a Whitehawk comeback.
Whitehawk manager Shaun Saunders had clearly seen enough at the break, making a triple substitution as Ikechi Eze, Jude Robertson and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas were introduced. The changes brought an immediate spark. Early pressure resulted in Eze’s corner being flicked on by Emmanuel-Thomas, causing the ball to ricochet around the Brentwood box before dropping to Nathan Cooper, whose wild effort sailed over the bar without troubling Prall.
Despite that bright start from the visitors, they soon fell victim to their own undoing ten minutes into the half. A smooth Brentwood move down the left ended with Machado seeing his effort comfortably claimed by MacLorg. The danger appeared to have passed, but within seconds the on-loan Charlton goalkeeper placed the ball at his feet, allowing Ogunleye to close him down sharply and poke into an empty net. It was a disastrous moment for Whitehawk, but Brentwood were in no mood for sympathy. Ogunleye had his second of the afternoon and his 19th goal of the season in all competitions.
Even with a commanding lead and over half an hour remaining, the Blues refused to ease off. Five minutes later, Thomas was again at the heart of the action, combining neatly with Ogunleye, who produced excellent skill to beat his marker before unselfishly squaring for Bradley Sach. The striker saw his close-range effort crash against the post – the offside flag sparing any blushes – but Brentwood’s hunger for more goals was evident.
The pressure continued. Another incisive move down the left saw Thomas deliver once more, this time finding Reid, whose first-time strike was well palmed away by MacLorg. Moments later, Brentwood won a free-kick in prime territory on the right flank. Machado opted to shoot from the tight angle, forcing the Whitehawk goalkeeper into another sharp save.
The contest then took a sour turn. Skandari, who had been booked moments earlier, wrestled Ogunleye to the ground in an off-the-ball incident that left the Brentwood striker in visible discomfort with what appeared to be an ankle injury. The officials did not intervene, but the Whitehawk bench – mindful of Skandari’s precarious position – quickly substituted him for Florian Kastrati.
Ogunleye was unable to continue and was replaced by young winger Aaron Sterling.
Chances became more sporadic as the game entered its final stages. Emmanuel-Thomas fired wide with the outside of his boot, while Johnson and Machado both saw efforts drift over at the other end.
There was, however, still time for one final goal. Once again, Brentwood found joy down the left flank. Substitutes Benas Vaivada and Ade Cole combined cleverly, with Vaivada picking out Johnson inside the area. His low cross was spilled by MacLorg straight into the path of Sach, who gratefully bundled home to cap a perfect debut for the former Welling man.
As the clock wound down, manager Keith Rowland introduced Jesse Olukolu – returning after a month on the sidelines – in place of Sach, who had delivered an industrious display.
The referee’s final whistle confirmed a commanding victory for the Blues, extending their advantage to nine points over the chasing pack outside the play-off places. For Whitehawk, it marked a first defeat of 2026, ending an admirable unbeaten run.
Next up for Brentwood is a trip to Wingate & Finchley on Saturday 28th February.
BRENTWOOD TOWN: Prall (GK), Reid, Cripps (C), Kaiser, Freeman, Edwards (Cole 74′), Johnson, Machado, Ogunleye (Sterling 66′), Thomas (Vaivada 77′), Sach (Olukolu 84′)
Subs not used: Hudson
WHITEHAWK: MacLorg (GK), Wright, Cooper, Hall (Emmanuel-Thomas 46′), Odogwu-Atkinson, Ojo (Robertson 46′), Daly, Harris (Eze 46′), Skandari (Kastrati 66′), O’Toole (C), Lodovica
Subs not used: Lambert
Words by Michaela Georgopolous & Chris Berry
Photography courtesy of Roy Warner
