BRENTWOOD 1st XI vs CROSTYX 1st XI

Brentwood's poor form continued as as they lost out on the Olympic pitch in Stratford to Crostyx who leapfrogged them in the table, putting the pressure on Brentwood to begin putting some performances together.

Brentwood started the game at a furious pace, and were all over Crostyx like a rash. They created several chances up-front, but shooting from silly angles and astray passes didn't help the cause. Brentwood didn't capitalise on their possession and in a quick turn-around, Crostyx playing route 1 tactics, arieled the ball to their forward who managed to win a penalty corner. Against the run of play they converted it to take the lead. Brentwood were left feeling robbed as a penalty-flick was awarded to Crostyx under dubious circumstances as the home team doubled their lead. the play was all Brentwood, although the score line proved otherwise, as another penalty-flick and corner ensured that Brentwood ended the half in a fairly dire situation, wondering how they had let the game slip so far from them, against a team who they apparently matched well in the field.

Roused by the halftime team talk, Brentwood hit the field with a do or die mentality. They stepped up a gear to against a now very defensive Crostyx team, looking to close out the game. Brentwood ran them all over the park, creating a plethora of chances, notably new boy Henry Wollaston found himself on the end of a pin-point pass from a penalty corner routine, but couldn't get a touch, as the ball passed across the face of the goal. Minutes of pressure caused another defensive error and Brentwood struck with another drag-flick special from Steven Naven. There was still time and Brentwood were looking strong. Redeeming himself, Henry Wollaston pounced on a ball fired into the circle, grabbing a fine deflection to halve the deficit. Brentwood then proceeded to create more chances but ill composure in front of goal and more shots from the baseline made it a losing battle. Brentwood fought on until the end but in reality, it was always going to be an difficult mountain to climb after the first half. Brentwood face Chelmsford next week at home, as they look to steal points off of their rivals and turn their fortunes around.