Brave Brentwood fought all the way against a team three divisions above them in this thrilling County Cup match.
The first half was very even with both teams surprisingly tentative for a cup tie.
Stanway took the early initiative but couldn't find a clear route to goal with Emma Hooker and Maureen Mulcare effective smothering most of their attacks.
Anything that got through was comfortably dealt with by Isaura Vian in the Brentwood goal.
As the half progressed, Brentwood started to gain some goal possession through Vicky Jenkins in midfield and both Jade Edwards and Olivia Worsfold had difficult chances which, on another day, might have gone in.
After a goal-less first half, the match opened up. Crisp inter-passing between Jenkins and Edwards put Worsfold clean through on goal only for an outrageous off-side decision to stop play as she was about to shoot with the goalkeeper beaten.
Still smarting from this injustice, Brentwood allowed themselves to be caught a minute later and Stanway took the lead.
Brentwood fought back within five minutes, Edwards burst through a static defence and this time made no mistake with the equaliser.
The home team then moved into top gear and showed why they are in a much higher league.
They took control of the midfield and passed the ball with pace and precision, knocking in four goals to make it 5-1.
However, in the last 15 minutes Brentwood came back. Worsfold had a powerful shot saved at the near post after racing past two defenders having been put through by Mel Webb.
Edwards was then brought down in the area. She fired the penalty straight at the goalkeeper but was first to the rebound.
It was now end-to-end as Vian made several sharp saves at one end and Brentwood discovered some attacking momentum at the other, pulling another one back when Edwards put Kerry Mills through for a classy finish.
The game ended with Stanway on the back foot but hanging on for a victory earned in that 20 minute spell midway through the second half.
Published Friday November 8, 2002
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