Waltham Forest 0-3 Brentwood Town
THREE goals inside the first half hour were enough to secure this win for Brentwood Town at Cricklefield, writes Tony Brazier.
Brentwood dominated from the start and took the lead after just 6 minutes when Ryan Edgar collected a pass from Reiss Noel on the right flank and was allowed to cut in unchallenged to give Jason Willis in the home goal no chance.
The visitors continued to press and Ellis Remy shot over when well placed, but the Brentwood centre forward was not to be denied and found the net on 23 minutes when Noel cut in from the left and found him unmarked on the edge of the goal area to score with ease.
Forest were undone again on 29 minutes when a shot from Antony Gradley was well saved by Brentwood keeper Andy Hall and his quick clearance found Edgar in space on the right and he ran on to score.
Forest did then create some chances of their own with Danny Francis working tirelessly to try to find an opening.
He won a free kick which Gradley sent just over the bar and soon after Brian Okwera crossed to Marquin Smith, but his shot was also off target. Just on half time Hall did well to save from Charlie Simpson.
Straight from the restart Remy had a chance to add a fourth goal having beaten the offside trap, but his shot rebounded from the crossbar to safety. David Collins also missed a good opportunity for Brentwood when he failed to convert a cross from Dean Green.
On the hour a foul by Green on Des Thomas saw both players cautioned, but players from both sides also got involved and Forest’s Brain Suchley and Brentwood’s Ted Llewellyn both received red cards for violent conduct.
Six minutes later Green joined them in the dressing room when he collected a second yellow card for a foul on Ian Walsh.
Numerical advantage couldn’t lead to a goal for Forest although Thomas saw a free kick well saved and Vinnie Murphy and Adam Bolle both forced Hall into action.
Forest player-manager Tony Mercer also received a red card for abusive language to the referee, and the game ended with Joel Barnett shooting over when he looked more likely to add to Brentwood’s tally.
On Tuesday both sides are in Division One North action again. Brentwood entertain AFC Sudbury, while Forest visit Potters Bar Town.
The one shining light to come out of this weekend is that Wadham Lodge is believed to have passed its ground grading on Friday evening. More news on that to follow one official confirmation has been received.
Attendance: 55
Today’s other scores:
East Thurrock United 2-1 Wingate & Finchley
Enfield Town 0-1 Maldon & Tiptree
Great Wakering Rovers 5-6 Potters Bar Town
Tilbury 0-0 Cheshunt
Waltham Abbey 2-0 Thamesmead Town
Ware 4-3 Needham Market
