Mens Hockey
Division 2 South
Brentwood 1s vs Chelmsford 2s

The Eagles have landed !
Brentwood 1’s 4-2 Chelmsford 2’s

Having already beaten Chelmsford at home this season Brentwood were fired up for this game and looking for the double. With vice captain and top scorer James Duggan out, Simon Rattenbury was drafted in as his replacement. Also the recent signing of Rob Cousins from Loughton added strength the forward line.
On the start of the first half Brentwood applied immediate pressure pushing Chelmsford to defend in their own half. Several opportunities were squandered however Steve Naven managed to find the back board on the 6th minute, with a drilled in ball from the left side of the D from Alex Henderson, Naven slotted the ball home. Chelmsford tried to respond but the Brentwood Defence held tight. Centre back Matt Linney successfully charged down their short corners leaving no option for the Chelmsford attack and Keeper Ian Malone produced perhaps the performance of the season with some spectacular saves. Captain Simon Teale picked up a thigh injury 25 minutes into the game and Stuart Piper stepped into the sweeper role as his replacement. Brentwood managed to pick up the pace 5 minutes from half time and went into the break with their heads held high.
Chelmsford tried to apply the pressure at the start of the 2nd half but in doing so left open and unmarked gaps throughout the pitch. Within 10 minutes Brentwood capitalised and made Chelmsford pay for the mistake. A fast ball out from Piper to Alex Henderson on the left led to a solo attack on goal and Brentwood's 2nd. Henderson dummied the keeper, who went to ground and at full stretch reverse chipped the sliding keeper for a superbly executed goal, 2-0. This was the first time the Chelmsford heads started to drop. Within minutes Brentwood scored a 3rd with Rattenburry smashing home after a goal mouth scramble, 3-0. With 15 minutes left on the clock Chelmsford attempted to force players forward. In doing so they managed to win a flick which was converted to make the score line 3-1. With a glimmer of hope Chelmsford pushed on and within minutes secured their 2nd after a solo run by their forward to slot the ball past Malone. The nerves mounted but Brentwood remain calm and in full control. Another ball out to Henderson allowed him to drive at goal yet again. He slotted the ball past the advancing keeper hitting the defenders foot on the line. The ever reliable Ian Forbes, who had had a superb game controlling the midfield, stepped up for the awarded flick and slotted to ball into the bottom right hand corner, 4-2. With minutes left of the game Brentwood held onto the ball until the full time whistle blew. A fantastic result for the Eagles, securing the double and pushing them into 2 spot, 2 points adrift from Chelmsford.

Brentwood take on Luton Town at home this coming Saturday and with 4 points between 4th and 1st position, they hope to secure a further 3 vital points.