Monday 26th August
BETVICTOR ISTHMIAN DIVISION ONE NORTH
TILBURY 1 – 0 BRENTWOOD TOWN
By Ray Stevens

Blues went into this without a point in the League and a lowly position in the table although things were looking up following a spirited performance in the FA Cup away at Harlow two days before when Brentwood were a little disappointed that a late goal won Harlow a replay at The Arena with Blues supporters considering that we were unlucky not to “finish the job” at Harlow.

Brentwood went to Chadfields on a hot – very hot - Bank Holiday Monday, hopeful of breaking the “duck” in their league results against fellow strugglers Tilbury, who were also on zero points after two games.

The football was not particularly good throughout, but this was a very competitive game for the full ninety minutes between two teams both looking for a result and the points.

Brentwood took the early initiative and saw more of the ball and more of the attacking in the first fifteen minutes but the Dockers came into the game more and on fifteen minutes had two efforts – one came back off the crossbar, the other off the foot of the post and the home side considered themselves unlucky not to have gone ahead.

An injury to Blues’ skipper, Ryan Cosson fifteen minutes before the break left Blues under pressure but half time arrived and in the second half Joe Seabrook came on for Cosson.

In the 55th minute the game was decided from the penalty spot, Jordan Cox netting for the Dockers. This came immediately after there appeared to be a foul throw at the Tilbury end and, further, the ball was picked up by the Tilbury Connor Wheatley well outside his area. The two incidents were not seen by the match officials and this affected Blues’ concentration with Tilbury attacking immediately and there was a trip in the area.

For a while, it was mainly Tilbury, but Brentwood fought back late on with a long range shot from Tom Anderson going just wide and the Wheatley making some fine saves as the away side fought to get back in the game.

An equaliser did not come and Brentwood, who had a player red-carded in each of their first two league matches, had six players shown yellow cards, which will result in a fine for the club.

Brentwood Town: Brown, Pugsley, Ward–Malcolm (Stevenson 60), Baker, Cosson (Seabrook 46), Edwards, Anderson, Hogan, Williams, Milner, Freeman.

Author: Ray Stevens