Isthmian North
Brentwood Town 4 Tilbury 2
JOHN CHUBB at the Brentwood Centre Arena
@JohnCphoenixfm
After a wretched run of seven winless league matches, Brentwood Town secured their first Isthmian North triumph since a 2-1 victory at Basildon United on 28th October, by beating Tilbury in a very entertaining Bank Holiday encounter.
Blues included a new face in their starting line-up – that of experienced striker Chris Dickson, who manager Rod Stringer has signed on a month-long loan from Billericay Town.
And the one-time Charlton Athletic and Ghana forward made an impact almost straight away.
With five minutes played Andrew Freeman ran down the left & laid the ball on for him, and he flicked on to Solomon Ogunwomoju who fired the ball past Tilbury goalkeeper Charlee Jackson and into the net for his first Brentwood goal, following his recent arrival from Essex Senior League outfit Redbridge.
On 12 minutes the Dockers quickly caught the home side on the break, and Charlie Morris levelled the scores.
But the hosts restored their lead in the 37th minute, with Dickson once again involved as he cleverly laid the ball on to George Craddock on his right, who smashed the ball past Jackson to ensure Blues went in 2-1 up at the interval.
Tilbury saw a lot of the ball in the early stages of the second half, but it was Brentwood who scored again in the 63rd minute, full-back James Folkes netting from a corner to make it 3-1.
But five minutes later ex-Blue David Knight scored a second for the Dockers with a well-taken volley from close range.
Once the match was inside the final 20 minutes Blues won a penalty, which Dickson fired wide of the left hand post.
But six minutes from time substitute Daniel Ogunleye, who had replaced Ogunwomoju just moments earlier restored Brentwood’s two-goal cushion when he scored to make it 4-2.
Tilbury’s Martin Tuohy struck the post in injury time, but the home side held on for a much-needed three points.
The game marked the end of the road for veteran Dockers manager John Coventry, as the former East Thurrock United boss was relieved of his duties after the final whistle having seen his side drop to fourth from bottom in the table, having won only four of their 17 Isthmian North matches this season.
Brentwood Town (Manager: Rod Stringer) – Harry Girling, James Folkes, Chris Gregan, Jack Dickinson, Matt Cripps, Jack Humphrey, Solomon Ogunwomoju (Daniel Ogunleye 83), George Craddock (Luke Hirst 87), Chris Dickson, Andrew Freeman, Connor Hogan (Flavio Jumo 52).
Tilbury (Manager: John Coventry) – Charlee Jackson, Oliver Plunkett, Alfie Whiteaker, Kiernan Hughes-Mason, Lewis Jaggs, Connor Martin, Charlie Morris (Kwabena Yeboah 62), Chris Millar, Martin Tuohy, David Knight, Alex Clark.
Attendance: 263
My exclusive post-match interview with Brentwood manager Rod Stringer can be heard on the link below.
Phoenix Sport
John Chubb
