BRENTWOOD TOWN 1 AVELEY 3 (RYMAN DIVISION ONE NORTH) 

BRENTWOOD Town suffered their second 3-1 defeat of the Bank Holiday weekend, this time at the hands of Aveley at the Arena.

Two quick first half goals cost the hosts, but Les Whitton’s young side were much better than they were on Saturday against Tilbury.

Brentwood were without a number of first team players including Martyn Stokes and Petrit Elbi against an Aveley side who have won five of their opening six league games.

Brentwood got off to a good start but it was the visitors who had the first chance of the game, Junior Appiah was at full stretch to latch on to a deep free kick but he poked the ball just wide of the post.

The Blues had their only clear cut chance of the half after eight minutes when James Love and Junior Lawrence forced Millers goalkeeper Jack Giddens into making a fine double save to keep the hosts at bay.

There wasn’t much between the sides from then on, but it was the Millers who gained the advantage after 32 minutes when Junior Appiah rounded off a quick break by calmly flicking the ball over the onrushing Rhys Madden.

Only two minutes later Justin Gardner’s side doubled their lead. After a neat one-two on the edge of the box with Brian Okwera, Appiah smashed home his, and Aveley’s, second goal from close range.

The hosts were two goals down at the interval, an unfair reflection on the team’s first half performance, but they looked to improve in the second half, replacing Junior Lawrence with Robbie Rees at the break.

Substitute Rees and team mate Jason Dobbs both had long range shots fall past the post before Steve Carvell saw his fierce shot deflect off an Aveley leg and go wide.

Aveley substitute Jason Twum tested Rhys Madden in the 78th minute, but it was Brentwood who scored the next goal when captain, and former Aveley centre-half, Gbenga Sonuga put the ball past Giddens after a goalmouth scramble.

Brentwood pushed in search of a late equaliser and they almost got it but Giddens was equal to Carvell’s powerful close range effort.

Despite Brentwood’s pressure Aveley sealed the win in injury time when Jason Twum completed a quick counter-attack with a neat finish.

Despite the disappointing result, Blues manager Les Whitton was pleased with his side’s performance.

He said: “We’ve lost 3-1 but outplayed them. We played some great stuff there today. Unfortunately two quick goals and pace killed us at the back in the first half and a break away in the second half.

“We’re building and getting better and better. I’m pleased with how they’re coming along.”

A certain work-in-progress for Whitton’s young side who face an FA Cup tie with Great Wakering Rovers on Saturday at the Arena.

Brentwood Town: Madden, Mtyanda, Spurge, Seidu, Sonuga (Maskell 86), Love, Carvell, Dobbs, Gardner (Cass 67), Smith, Lawrence (Rees 45). Unused subs: Rolls, Pitman.