Brentwood Sport
Town suffer a Swift thrashing
12:47pm Wednesday 1st February 2012
BRENTWOOD Town suffered their ninth league defeat of the season on Saturday, after a heavy 4-0 defeat away to Heybridge Swifts.
A first-half brace in the space of two minutes from striker Luke Callander, and two second half penalties either side of the dismissal of keeper Elliot Justham condemned the Blues to the loss.
Brentwood enjoyed much of the early possession, with the game’s first effort coming after five minutes.
A Ted Llewellyn long throw caused havoc for the Heybridge defence, who cleared the ball only as far as Jose Espinoza. The striker volleyed from the edge of the box, firing just over the bar.
A shot from Robbie Rees, after an impressive run, troubled Heybridge keeper Jason Willis on 15 minutes.
The midfielder picked up the ball near the halfway line, avoided a number of Heybridge challenges, but was unable to guide his low shot into the net.
Brentwood had a great opportunity to take the lead four minutes later. A Ryan Doyle pass sent Espinoza through on goal, but his low shot was saved well by Willis.
Espinoza squandered another great opportunity on 23 minutes, again supplied by Doyle. A deep cross from the defender was met by the head of the striker, who failed to keep his effort on target, heading over the bar from close range.
Heybridge’s opener came on 25 minutes, in what was really the home side’s first attack of the game. A lofted ball was well controlled by Kevin Dobinson, who laid off to Luke Callander. The striker’s effort from 20 yards bobbled over the diving Justham and into the corner of the net. Callander’s, and Heybridge’s, second of the game came just two minutes later.
Chris Bryan darted through the Brentwood defence, and lofted a ball up to the back post for the striker to tap into an empty net.
This quick brace was a real knock for the Blues, who had started the game so brightly.
Heybridge were unlucky not to be three ahead just after the half-hour mark.
An excellent freekick from Bryan from 25 yards fell just wide of Justham’s right hand post, who was helpless in his attempt at stopping the expertly struck set-piece.
Espinoza failed to pull a goal back for Brentwood on 36 minutes. Steve Butterworth sent the striker through with a well disguised reverse ball, but a heavy touch bearing down on goal meant Willis was able to prevent any potential danger.
Butterworth again assisted Espinoza two minutes later, with a clever flick that eluded the Heybridge defence.
The striker cut in on his left, but was unable to beat Willis at the near post. Tyler Campbell’s resulting corner was met by the head of Espinoza, who headed fractionally wide.
A spectacular effort from Rees on 40 minutes looked to give the Blues’ a glimmer of hope just before the break.
The midfielder’s 35-yard shot struck the bar, with the rebound falling to the feet of Espinoza, who was unable to slot past Willis.
Into the second half, and yet another Brentwood opportunity went astray on 56 minutes.
Rees’s deep cross was met by the head of Butterworth, whose effort from six yards fell straight into the grateful arms of Willis.
Butterworth squandered another headed opportunity on 63 minutes, heading wide from six yards from a Doyle cross.
Brentwood conceded a penalty on 79 minutes, after a poor Danny Dafter back pass allowed Tom Broadhurst through on goal.
Justham mistimed his run, and fouled the midfielder just inside the area, and was subsequently cautioned for his challenge. Bryan stepped up to convert the penalty into the top right hand corner.
Justham was shown a second yellow card five minutes from time after conceding a second penalty.
With his back to goal, Broadhurst looked to lay off the ball. Justham came from behind to regain possession, sending the midfielder to the ground.
Butterworth filled in for the dismissed keeper, but was unable to prevent second half substitute Jack West from securing Heybridge’s fourth goal from the spot.
Brentwood Town: Justham, Doyle, Llewellyn (Osei 74), Stokes, Blewitt, Dafter, Campbell, Blackburn (Green 65), Espinoza, Butterworth, Rees (Dingli 65). Unused subs: Russell, Edgar.