Brentwood Town kicked off their Isthmian League North Division campaign with a victory against Redbridge.
The Blues started in scintillating fashion, with Daniel Ogunleye opening the scoring on 14 minutes. The forward latched onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Ngandu to make it 1-0.
Blues’ midfielder Ngandu nearly got on the scoresheet himself shortly after. He got on the end of a low cross from Rob Harvey at the back post, but put the ball inches wide of the post.
Brentwood continued to probe with a number of chances falling to the lively Benas Vaivada. However, it was captain for the day Connor Witherspoon who scored our second. Mekhi McKenzie did incredibly well to keep the ball in play, and from the byline squared it to Witherspoon, who was there to tap home from 6 yards out in the 42nd minute.
Just two minutes later, Keith Rowland’s side had a third goal, with Vaivada deservingly finding himself on the scoresheet. The Redbridge defender headed a cross away, but the ball fell to Vaivada, who smashed the ball home from ten yards.
The Blues held a three goal advantage heading into the interval. However, it was Redbridge who came out of the traps fastest in the second half, with Rodney Botuli reducing the deficit for the hosts in the 51st minute. He turned smartly on the edge of the box before getting a shot away, with the ball sailing past Minter in the Brentwood goal.
Redbridge asked more questions of the Brentwood defence, with Tom Anderson providing an off the line clearance. Shortly after, Melvin Minter was called into action once again, pulling off a smart save to tip the ball over the bar from a powerful shot from distance.
In the 78th minute, the Blues had the opportunity to score a fourth. Vaivada was brought down in the penalty area, and striker Mekhi McKenzie stepped up to convert from the spot.
In added time, Redbridge found the net again, scoring their second goal of the afternoon. Former Blues attacker Solomon Ogunwomoju was on hand at the back post to head the ball in from a cross from the left, making the score 4-2 to the visitors.
The Blues are next in league action at home to Walthamstow on the 24th August. Prior to that, they travel to Ware on the 17th August for an FA Cup Preliminary Round tie.
By Adam Farmer
