An afternoon at Parkside saw Brentwood Town travel to Step 3 side Hashtag United for the Quarter-Final of the Essex Thames-Side Trophy, and also their final fixture of their Pre-season campaign.

The Blues were tested early on when a shot by Sam Higgins forced Melvin Minter to push the ball around the post.

Three minutes later the Tags managed to break through the right side but a stop from Minter and a block off the line from the rebound shot by Harry Elsey saw the Blues remain level.

The deadlock was broken in the 24th minute as a powerful shot from Camilo Restrepo was fired from six yards and struck off the crossbar before dropping over the line.

During the second half the Blues continued to create chances in the attacking third and an equaliser looked inevitable. A free kick on the edge of the box was passed across by Shad Ngandu to James Love and hit slightly over the bar.

In the closing stages of the match the Blues looked lively with a superb run of the pitch by Jesse Olukolu before he pulled the ball back to Mekhi McKenzie, but the shot was struck against the crossbar.

The Blues have remained unbeaten in five out of six of their pre season friendlies gaining four victories and one draw. They will travel to take on Redbridge on Saturday 10th August for their first league fixture of the 2024-25 season.

Report by Michaela Georgopoulos

Photo by Nathan Lugg