Brentwood 1st XI - 0
Old Southendians 1st XI - 1

Brentwood lined up on Saturday with a new-look side; missing several stalwarts including Captain Simon Teale, expecting a tough game from an in-form Old Southendians.

From the off, Brentwood were on the attack. The opening minutes saw the midfield link nicely with the forwards as they were able to get the ball between the Old South's defence, however Brentwood experienced little joy in front of goal, as the Old South defence compacted the shooting circle, allowing the strikers little room to manoeuvre the ball with. James Duggan came close but his shot was smothered by the keeper from close range, who had quickly left his line to meet the danger. The game soon turned and became a closely contested battle, as Old South's kept possession of the ball for long periods at a time, becoming quite draining on Brentwood, who were made to do lots of thankless running chasing the players down. Old South's relied heavily on a crash-ball down the line, as the Brentwood press prevented them from making any passes down the middle of the pitch. Brentwood we're let off the hook as a goal was denied, although they failed to capitalise on their life-line as a short lapse in concentration minutes later was all that was needed as Old Southendians took the lead from a powerful shot from an unmarked man on the top of the circle. Brentwood managed to keep it together until half-time at 1-0, still very much in the game.

The second half took a similar tone to the first. With the Old Southendian defence showing more patience than the Dalai Lama; moving the ball from side to side and keeping the Brentwood forwards busy. Brentwood managed to keep their discipline in the press, and turned over lots of ball from unforced errors, although failed to convert these from sloppy passing, or indeed lack of passing, making for frustrating viewing. Steven Naven looked to have set-up Brentwood's equaliser as he played the ball across the circle, but Aaron Doyle having lost his defender, took too heavy a touch on the deflection, sending the ball into the side netting. Brentwood once again came close on a penalty-corner, as Steven Naven found the crossbar with a powerful drag-flick. The half drew ever nearer its end and Brentwood became more frantic, desperately searching for a point. They gained a numerical advantage as an Old South player was sin-binned for a poor tackle, although this came to nothing as the player was soon invited back onto the pitch, with no difference to the scoreboard made. Two more of their players were sin-binned for similar offences although this was more of a gesture, as the game was in its closing minute. A final attack from Brentwood came to nothing as the game ended in a disappointing defeat for the home side 1-0.