Brentwood Town start their 2015/16 Ryman Premier campaign with a narrow 2-1 away defeat to Wingate and Finchley at the Harry Abrahams Stadium.
Wingate got off to a flyer with an early two goal lead through Billy Healey brace after his recent return from injury within 20 minutes.
Brentwood got back into the game before the break as Liam Hope opened his account with a strike inside the box.
Neither side could get that all-important goal in the second half despite several chances for both sides, as the home side take home all three points.
Wingate took the lead within four minutes as Kyle Watson down the left was given space, he whipped the cross in for Healey to glance into the far corner – leaving Martyn Guest motionless.
The home side doubled their lead 16 minutes in as Healey again was given time around the box to cut inside and his low right footed shot sneaked past Guest at the near post.
Brentwood had their first real opportunity shortly after as Dave Collins’ over hit cross was heading in but for a superb clawed save away by Bobby Smith.
‘The Blues’ had another chance as Collins’ cross was met by a diving header by Tom Richardson which was saved well by Smith down to his right.
Brentwood got back into the game 37 minutes in after a long throw by Mitch Hahn fell to Liam Hope who reacted first and fired into the roof of the net.
Tommy Tejan-Sie almost grabbed Wingate’s third with a low shot heading for the far corner but went just wide.
The second half started quiet until just before the hour mark as Hahn had a great first touch from a long ball up field, but his first time half volley was well held again by Smith.
Brentwood had a great opportunity to get an equaliser, as a ball through midfield cut the Wingate defence in half leaving a great chance for substitute Leon Gordon but his low cross was just scrambled before Hope could get to it.
The away sides’ best chance of the half came from Hahn’s lethal long throw which fell to Robbie Rees inside the box two yards out but his shot was over the bar.
Wingate substitute Meshach Williams skilfully lobbed two Brentwood defenders but could not find the finish – he went down looking for the penalty which the referee waved away despite appeals.
Richardson had a glorious chance in added time to snatch a late leveller as he span his man but his toe poked shot came back off the post, to painfully deny Brentwood a point.
Wingate and Finchley Lineup: 1 Bobby Smith, 2 Leon Solomon ©, 3 Kyle Watson, 4 Michael Buckley, 5 Bradley Hewitt (82), 6 Ahmet Rifat, 7 Martel Powell (82), 8 Tommy Tejan-Sie, 9 Billy Healey (77), 10 Ola Sogbanmu, 11 Karl Oliyide
Substitutes: 12 Marc Weatherstone (82), 17 Jack Metcalfe, 14 Kieron Street (82), 15 Meshach Williams (77), 16 Joe Sharpe
Brentwood Town Lineup: 1 Martyn Guest, 2 Richie Jones, 3 Dave Collins, 4 Nicky Symons ©, 5 Tarkan Mustafa, 6 Josh Banton, 7 Adi Cole (68), 8 Mitch Hahn, 9 Tom Richardson, 10 Liam Hope, 11 Robbie Rees (77)
Substitutes: 12 Daryl Robson, 14 Matt Gill, 15 Andy Freeman (77), 16 Jordan Holdsworth, Leon Gordon (68)
Attendance: 104
Dean Holdsworth Interview:
