A second half goal from Paul Battram gave Blues a well-deserved win at Barking on Saturday, keeping them top of the Essex Senior League table.

East Ham had started the match just three points behind Brentwood with two games in hand so this was an important result as nearest rivals Basildon United and Barkingside also won.

It looks as though the league championship is wide open this season with seven or eight sides still in contention.

Brentwood created the first chance after just five minutes when they broke quickly out of defence following an East Ham free kick, but Wayne Gannon shot just wide after Dave Allen's pass had given him an opportunity.

But the Hammers had their best chance a few minutes later when Andre Turner was clean through but Dave Pether in the Brentwood goal was quickly off his line to deny the striker.

East Ham's leading scorer Steve Grant had two chances and Sebastien Cortes displayed some good skills for the home side, but Brentwood looked stronger in midfield and began to control the game.

Blues dominated the second half and despite a heavy pitch produced some excellent passing football.

They could have taken the lead in the 46th minute but Dave Stittle failed to capitalise after getting round Hammers goalkeeper Derek Burnett.

Battram twice went close and Allen volleyed just wide following a corner kick, but Brentwood failed to test Burnett as often as they would have wished.

The goal they deserved came in the 72nd minute. Burnett failed to hold a low 30 yard shot from Jason Fairweather and Battram was quickly on the scene to tap home his fourth goal of the season.

East Ham hit back and Lee Felstead headed off the line following a corner and

Pether denied Grant with a good save in the 84th minute, but anything other than a Brentwood victory would have been an injustice.

Brentwood: Pether, Felstead, Martin, Garneys, Wood, Allen, Fairweather, Mead, Battram, Stittle, and Gannon.

A goal by Craig Nugent gave Brentwood Reserves a 1-0 win over Witham Town Reserves at the Brentwood Centre on Saturday.

Forthcoming fixtures: Saturday, December 30: Schweppes Essex Senior League: Brentwood v Hullbridge Sports (3 p.m.) Tuesday, January 2: Schweppes Essex Senior League: Brentwood v Southend Manor (7.30 p.m).

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