Grays Athletic 0-2 Brentwood Town
Saturday 1st March 2025
Isthmian League North Division

A brace from Blues’ leading goalscorer Danny Ogunleye ensured Brentwood Town secured all three points against Grays Athletic at Chadfields.

Keith Rowland made two additions to his squad during the week, with strikers George Smith and Ayo Odukoya signing from Cambridge City and Redbridge respectively. Smith took a berth in the starting XI, whilst Odukoya made his debut from the bench during the second half.

Benas Vaivada had one of the first chances for Brentwood Town, cutting in from the left hand side. But his shot was deflected for a corner.

Not long after that, the ball fell to an unmarked Matt Cripps at the back post following a corner, but the skipper put his effort wide of the post.

Moments later, the hosts had a chance of their own, with Alejandro Machado charging towards goal, but firing his effort from the edge of the box over the bar.

Smith then almost opened his Brentwood Town account, with Benas Vaivada squaring to him, but Sambridge managed to get a fingertip to the ball to deny our new recruit.

Vaivada had another opportunity to cut inside from the left and shoot from outside the area, but once again Sambridge was on hand to deal with his attempt.

On the stroke of half time, both Kye Jude and Machado had headed efforts. Minter was on hand to deal with Jude’s effort, whilst Machado headed over the bar.

Chances fell to both sides during the opening stages of the second half, with Hurst drilling an effort just wide of Minter’s goal.

However, it was Blues leading goalscorer Danny Ogunleye who opened the scoring in stunning style, flicking the ball over his head from a Marlon Agyakwa corner into the back of the net.

Grays pushed for an equaliser, forcing Jon Nzengo into an off the line clearance following a goal mouth scramble.

Deep into additional time, Ogunleye grabbed his second of the afternoon, getting on the end of a low cross from the left provided by Benas Vaivada. The forward turned smartly before putting the ball past Sambridge.

The win at Chadfields means Brentwood Town move up to second in the table, a point behind Felixstowe and Walton United, who are the visitors to The Brentwood Arena next Saturday.

By Adam Farmer

Photo: Nick Gunn Photography
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