Tuesday 30th April

ISTHMIAN NORTH PLAY-OFF SEMI FINAL

BURY TOWN V BRENTWOOD TOWN 1-3 AET

By Michaela Georgopoulos

A SERIES OF STOPPAGE TIME SCORING THAT SAW THE BLUES TO VICTORY

Brentwood Town edged one step closer to sealing promotion last night after their 3-1 victory over Bury Town in the play-off semi-final.

The Blues created several chances throughout the first half that were just narrow from the net. A far range shot from Andy Freeman was tipped over the bar by Charlie Beckwith and another strike from Mekhi McKenzie forced a clearance off the line by a Bury defender.

During the closing stages of the half, Bury came close to breaking the deadlock but were denied by a quartet of Blues blocks. Luke Brown forces a superb save by Melvin Minter before Cemal Ramadan struck the post. As Brentwood went to clear a deflection hit the crossbar before landing in the gloves of Minter.

The chances continued throughout the second half but neither team managed to get ahead resulting in extra time…

In the opening five minutes of extra time a McKenzie strike from the edge of the box fired The Blues into the lead. A Bury equaliser followed five minutes after a shot from Ryan Jolland was deflected into the bottom corner.

A stunner of a shot from outside of the box was curled by Danny Ogunleye to meet the top right corner of goal and put The Blues back ahead.

The lead was sealed to three with Shad Ngandu running the length of the pitch in the last minute of the match and firing the shot into the back of the net before the final whistle.

Brentwood are back this Saturday as they travel to Bowers & Pitsea for an all Essex play-off final.