LEYTON 0 BRENTWOOD TOWN 0
The visit to Lea Bridge Road tonight saw our second successive draw and a good performance which suggested the team is starting to gel.
After the first 15 minutes which saw Billy McMahon make a fine save, we had the better of the game, and could have taken the three points.
Steve Wareham went closest to a goal for us when he got round the keeper five minutes before half time but Leyton skipper Rory Smith managed to clear from almost on the line.
Match report tomorrow
Good news about Danny Glozier today. Following his visit to hospital on Saturday his Brain scan was clear and given a couple of days off he could be fit to play again the weekend.
BRENTWOOD TOWN RESERVES 1 WALTHAM ABBEY RESERVES 0
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BRENTWOOD TOWN 1 CONCORD RANGERS 1
Concord Rangers visited old Essex Senior League rivals Brentwood Town at the Arena after emulating Blues promotion to the Ryman League One North Division the season before.
With the two Clubs knowing so much about each other from their recent past, and a number of ex Blues’ players now at Concord, there was a feel of a local derby to this opening fixture of the season.
Concord must have been full of confidence following winning the Essex Senior League last season and with a successful pre season behind them. Indeed, with many of last season’s players still with the Club, Rangers took the early initiative and Town struggled to get into the game for the first five minutes, although Rangers failed to craft out any clear cut chances. Blues, on the other hand, fielded a new squad, the starting line up including only Gareth Street and Donavon Wilson from last season’s squad which failed so narrowly to reach the promotion play – offs.
In the sixth minute, a rare Brentwood attack ended with a clash of heads between Concord’s former Blues defender John Easterford and forward Nathan Burland within the Rangers’ penalty area and Easterford became the first injury requiring a trip to the local hospital.
For a time, Blues pressed forward and on fifteen minutes, a ball outside the Concord penalty area fell to Blues’ Nicky Symons who spotted Concord ‘keeper Adam Rafis off his line but the midfielders’ hopeful lob was off target.
In the 31st first minute, Burland was played through but his one on one encounter with Rafis resulted with the ‘keeper saving with his legs and denying Blues the lead.
On forty minutes, Blues forced a corner from the left. Danny Glozier mishit towards the near post but the Concord clearance was lofted back towards Glozier. Concord substitute Bradley Walsh, on for the injured Easterford, appeared to launch at Glozier leading with an arm and the latter found himself flat on his back and clearly concussed. Walsh found himself dismissed for a second yellow card and Glozier struggled towards half time, both teams playing out the half effectively with ten players. With Glozier clearly traumatised, the ambulance was called out again at half time and Blues were forced into their first substitution.
At half time, the goalless scoreline suggested that both Clubs were probably more afraid of going behind rather than winning the game, although Blues had the better chances.
After the re start, Brentwood seemed to be taking advantage of their extra player. On fifty minutes, Manny Sackey played a through ball to Joe Sweeney to the left and the latter cut in, beat Concord’s former Blues full back Greg Tiffin and slotted the ball past Rafis to give the home side a deserved lead.
Five minutes later, it was again Burford who was played through for one on one with Rafis and again the ‘keeper saved well and kept his side in the game.
Although Blues had the better of the chances, one always felt one goal was not going to be a safe margin and this, indeed, proved to be the case. On 78 minutes, Rangers cleared the ball down the left flank and Shane Oakley cut in towards goal. Somehow, two home defenders and the ‘keeper backed off and allowed Oakley to force the ball over the line for an equaliser.
Blues will reflect that, playing against ten men, and with a goal lead and two or three good opportunities of increasing that lead, this could probably be viewed as two points dropped rather than a point gained: who knows what those two points might mean at the end of the season. Blues new management pairing of Carl Griffiths and Scott Canham looked less than impressed on the final whistle. However, Concord showed a resilience and character and may well be one of the challengers at the top end of the division come the end of the season.
News later came through that Glozier was admitted for an overnight stay in hospital and a brain scan is being scheduled.
Brentwood Town: McMahon, Wilson, Glozier (S Bourne 45), Symons, Good, Webb, Sackey, Street (Parratt 69), Burland (Miller 82), Sweeney, C Bourne. Subs not used Crowther, Skelton
Click here for more pictures from Brentwood v Concord (Photos by Nick Gunn)
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BRENTWOOD TOWN 2 HARLOW TOWN 3
Kick off 3pm
Click here for more action pictures from the match (Photos by Nick Gunn)
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BRENTWOOD TOWN 0 LEYTON ORIENT 1
A good game, and a crowd of 451 at The Arena tonight saw The Os win with a 77th minute goal by Bradley Gray.
The Blues management team of Carl Griffiths and Scott Canham both made an appearance late in the second half against their old club.
Brentwood Town: Billy McMahon, Donovan Wilson, Michael Toner, Frankie Webb, Steve Good, Steve Bourne, Gareth Street, Nicky Simmons, Amos Foyet, Nathan Burland, Chris Bourne
subs: Phil Skelton, Riki Holmes, Jerome Ingram, Dwayne Miller, Jamie Williams, Scott Canham, Carl Griffiths
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Click here for more photos from the Orient match
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BRENTWOOD TOWN 1 BILLERICAY TOWN 1
Blues looked a little disjointed in first ten minutes, not surprising for a squad of almost entirely new players put together for this season's assault on the Ryman 1N League.
However, Blues then took control for the remainder of the first half. After a couple of very early scares which could easily have resulted in a two goal deficit, Blues got the ball down and played some superb, controlled football and Billericay rarely threatened. Blues took a deserved lead when Steve Bourne, playing wide on the left flank, took the ball down the left and unselfishly set up Nathan Burland to side foot in from two yards.
Brentwood looked good going into the second half and created at least two early chances that may have put the game out of reach of Billericay. However, Billericay pressed as Blues tired and Bradley Woods-Garness left Blues' 'keeper Billy McMahon with no chance as he levelled the scores. There then followed a period of Billericay dominance as Blues 100 per cent friendly record looked to be under threat. However, in the end a late resurgence from Blues meant the game could have gone either way.
Brentwood Town: Mc Mahon, Wilson, Webb, Good, Sacky, Street, Simmons, C Bourne, Foyet, Burland. Subs S. Bourne, Hayles, Crowther, Ingram, Williams, Miller, Mitchell
Click here for more action pictures from the match (Photos by Nick Gunn)
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ROMFORD 1 BRENTWOOD TOWN 2
An entertaining game at Aveley tonight saw us field two starting elevens for each half.
We fell behind in the first half but Nicky Simmons coolly scored an equaliser in the 26th minute and Miles Jones scored a second half winner in the 61st minute.
Click here for more photos from Romford v Brentwood Town
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BRENTWOOD TOWN 5 TAKELEY 1
The 1st Team’s latest friendly saw us beat Takeley 5-1 at the Brentwood Centre on Saturday.
Click here for more photos from the Takeley match
The next fixture is away to Romford on Tuesday (29th July, kick off 7.45pm), a fixture that will be played at Aveley FC, Romford’s new home for the 2008/09 season.
We then complete our pre-season programme with three home fixtures, beginning this coming Saturday, 2nd August, when we play host to local Ryman Premier Billericay Town. Leyton Orient come to the Arena on Tuesday evening 5th August at 7.45pm, and Harlow Town FC, another Ryman Premier side, who we beat twice last season in FA cup competitions, travel to the Arena on Saturday 9th August, KO 3pm.
Blues chairman Keith Woodcock commented “We have arranged a number of quality pre-season games, and our fixture next Tuesday against Leyton Orient must be the jewel in the crown. Martin Ling has agreed to field a strong side, and I believe that we may see two Orient old boys, namely Carl Griffiths and Scott Canham on the Brentwood team sheet.
“I am also delighted that the Mayor of Brentwood Cllr Dudley Payne has agreed to attend, and will meet and greet both teams and present the match ball to the officials. Cllr Payne was a Brentwood Town player a number of years ago when we were Manor Athletic FC, and I am sure that he will be impressed with the improvements that we have made at the Arena over the years”.
Admission will be £7.00 and £4.00 for concessions, with kids under 14 allowed in free of charge with a paying adult. Keith Woodcock added “Whether you are coming to cheer on the Blues or the Os we look forward to seeing you at the Arena. If you are not sure where we are, just programme your sat nav to CM15 9NN”.
You cannot fail to enjoy the Masters six-a-side football that has featured on television and two of Brentwood Town’s coaching and management team have recently featured in the competition. Last Saturday Manchester City won through as North West Champions with a side that included Blues new manager Carl Griffiths, and the previous week West Ham became the London champions with the side captained by a Brentwood Town coach, Mark Robson, who scored the winning goal.
Blues Director of Football Brian Hallett commented, “We have an impressive array of coaches and management staff here at Brentwood Town, and I am truly delighted that both Carl and Mark played their part in the Masters Competition. The final will take place at the NEC Arena on 7th September, and who knows if they win their groups we may see Carl up against Mark in the final”.
One notable absence tomorrow will be manager Carl Griffiths who will playing for Manchester City in the North West section of the Masters 6 a side competition. So if you wish to see Carl tomorrow, tune into Sky Sports 1 at 8 pm.
Carl will aiming to emulate another of our coaches, Mark Robson, who last Saturday captained outside chances West Ham to win the London competition, and scored the winning goal
Who knows, Robson v Griffiths in the final?
Congratulations to Reserve Team manager Mark Boxall on the birth of another baby daughter!
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BARKING 0 BRENTWOOD TOWN 3
Brentwood Town visited Mayesbrook Park for their latest pre-season fixture on Saturday and returned with a 3-0 win over Essex Senior League Barking.
After a goalless first half Blues scored three times in the second half with goals by Jamie Williams, Jerry Nkrumah and Ricky Hayles.
The Reserves also had a win in their pre-season friendly beating Godmanchester Rovers 1-0 at the Brentwood Centre.
Next Saturday (26th July), the 1st team continue their build up for the 2008/09 season with a fixture at Hullbridge Sports while the Reserves are at home to Takeley. Both games kick off at 3pm.
Then on Tuesday (29th July) the 1st team travel to Aveley FC where they will play another Essex Senior League side, Romford, kick off 7.45pm.
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Chairman Keith Woodcock comments “We are delighted to be able to offer season tickets at such attractive prices following enormous interest from a good number of our supporters. The season tickets will allow admission to the ground for our 21 home fixtures in the Ryman One North League, but will not I'm afraid apply to FA Cup games etc.
Interested parties should apply to Keith on 07885 233210, or see him at the clubhouse, as he is always there every Tuesday evening.
Keith would also like to mention club nights which are becoming extremely popular at the club on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. “Apart from the Tuesdays when we have games, we are encouraging supporters to come over and watch both the first team and reserves training, to meet the players, coaches and management, and to enjoy a pint or two from the well stocked clubhouse bar. We have seen numbers increase over the past few weeks, and we would really welcome some more new faces. This is your club, so why not come over and enjoy it, and maybe get a little more involved. You never know, you may be able to teach Carl and Scotty a thing or two”.
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There were three thirty minute games which finished 1-0, 0-0, 1-0 in Brentwood's favour.
Next game is at Barking on Saturday, kick off 3pm.
Click here for more photos of the Barkingside match
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Concord were promoted from the Essex Senior League at the end of last season.
Our first four fixtures are all against former Essex Senior League sides with the first away trip on Tuesday 19th August when go to Leyton. Leyton were relegated from the Ryman Premier last season.
We then meet Waltham Abbey (away) on Saturday 23rd August, and Ilford at home on Bank Holiday Monday, 25th August.
HATFIELD PEVEREL 1 BRENTWOOD TOWN 2
BRENTWOOD TOWN RESERVES 3 ILFORD 1
The Reserves also have their first game on Saturday. They take on Ilford on the outside pitch at the Brentwood Centre. Kick off 3pm.
The pre-season matches for 1st Team and Reserves are now on this website under Fixtures & Results. Last season's fixtures and results have now been moved to the Archive section where you can still view the match reports and photos for the games.
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Manager Carl Griffiths considers this a major signing and is now assembling a strong squad ready for the new season in the Ryman League Division One North. After a number of players from last season’s successful squad had left The Arena during the close season, Griffiths, and assistant Scott Canham, have worked tirelessly to bring in quality players and McMahon is seen as one of a number of key figures in the rebuilding process.
McMahon, a former West Ham junior, has played at Billericay Town, Thurrock and Hornchurch but now hopes to keep clean sheets in our second season in the Ryman League. McMahon has played at a higher level but sees the opportunity of success with Blues as a great opportunity.
The signing of McMahon follows the capture of midfielder Dean Parratt from Maldon Town.
There is an addition to our pre-season friendly programme. We will now host Essex Senior League front runners Barkingside at the Brentwood Centre on 15th July.
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Erith Town came fifth in the Premier Division of the Kent League last season and they won the Premier Division Cup. They will meet Bedfordshire club Potton United from the Eagle Bitter United Counties League in the extra preliminary round on 16th August.
The winners of our match on 30th August will be away to Rothwell Corinthians or Langford or Arlesey Town in the 1st qualifying round on Saturday 13th September.
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If we are successful we then have a home tie with either Waltham Forest or AFC Sudbury in the 1st qualifying round on Saturday 18th October.
In the FA Youth Cup the Under 18s have been drawn away to Cheshunt or Boreham Wood in the 1st qualifying round. The tie is to be played week beginning Monday 22nd September.