Tuesday 6th February 2024
Isthmian North
BRENTWOOD TOWN 0 – 1 LOWESTOFT TOWN
By Michaela Georgopoulos
A last-minute strike by Lowestoft Town was all that it took to end the phenomenal 8 match unbeaten run of Brentwood Town in the Isthmian North Division.
Sam Deering and Wyan Reid were the two changes made from the victorious starting XI that travelled to Gorleston last weekend, in place of Jesse Olukolu and Mekhi McKenzie.
The Blues began with their relentless attacking into the final third which saw a powerful header by George Sykes as well as a strike from Reid denied by Lowestoft’s Luke Holt.
They continued to pose a serious threat with the fancy footwork of Jonathan Nzengo passing with ease through the defense, until he was brought down inside the penalty area in the 23rd minute of the half.
A Brentwood goal looked extremely likely during the last shot of the first half when a corned whipped in by Tom Stephen was struck narrowly wide of the goal by Sykes, leaving the sides level at the break.
Both sides emerged from half time eager and determined to break the deadlock. In the 71st minute, a notable shot from Andrew Freeman, delivered by Sykes, was saved by fingertips of Holt and was inches away from allowing The Blues to take the lead at The Arena.
However, with Nzengo receiving a second yellow card after a slight knock on the Lowestoft attack, Brentwood were left to play the final 10 minutes with 10 men.
A last-minute shot from Harvey Sayer secured a narrow victory for the visitors and advanced them to 53 points in the league.
Following the final whistle, Brentwood’s Man of the Match James Love said: “In the second half (against the wind and rainy conditions) we still caused a lot of problems but unfortunately it didn’t go our way today”.
Manager Keith Rowland added: “It’s our first defeat in two months and I can’t fault the players.
“No team wins the league in February. We will train well again on Thursday night and go again on Saturday because it is very important to pick yourself up straight away”.
The Blues are back in action on Saturday the 10th of February where they host Stowmarket Town for Matchday 26.
Attendance: 340
Brentwood Town: 1 Melvin Minter, 2 Jonathan Nzengo, 3 Tom Stephen, 4 Conor Hogan, 5 Matt Cripps, 6 James Love, 7 Wyan Reid, 8 Shad Ngandu, 10 Sam Deering (Olukolu 91’), 11 Andrew Freeman, 18 George Sykes (McKenzie 88’)
Subs: 12 Mehki McKenzie, 14 Daniel Ogunleye, 15 Jesse Olukolu, 16 Alex Akrofi, 17 Spencer Craig
