After seeing off the league leaders Saffron Walden the previous week, Brentwood's good form continued when they beat second in the table Southend Manor at the Brentwood Centre on Saturday.

It was an ill-tempered clash between two sides who had already met three times before earlier in the season, and the second half saw two sendings off.

Brentwood fell behind in the second minute, Simon Cox netting for the visitors, but Wayne Gannon equalised for Blues after 35 minutes.

The impressive Gannon created the second goal after 54 minutes when he was pulled down inside the area by Manor goalkeeper Scott Barrett.

Barrett was red-carded for that offence and Brentwood's penalty expert Lee Felstead scored from the spot.

Brentwood had James Read dismissed after 79 minutes when he brought down a Manor forward on the edge of the penalty area, but Brentwood were again well worth their win which lifted them up to fifth place in the Schweppes Essex Senior League.

Brentwood: Pether, Felstead, Martin, Read, Garneys, Taylor, Fairweather, Mead, Gannon, Stittle, Hitchcock, Brewington, Nugent and Simpkins.

Brentwood Reserves won 3-1 at Hullbridge Sports in their Essex & Herts Border Combination match on Saturday, Kristian Agyeidua, Gary Douglas and Martin Winter scoring for Brentwood.

The third team won 2-1 at Old Chelmsfordians in the Mid-Essex League with First half goals from Sam Bonham and Rob Stewart.

To complete a good Saturday for the club, the Veterans won their Essex Veterans Cup semi-final with South Woodham, Tony Todd scoring the only goal of the game.

It is the first time for 20 years that a Brentwood side has reached a county cup final.

It will be staged at Leyton Pennant FC on March 25 and their opponents will be either Newbury Park of East Ham WMC.

This Saturday's fixtures for the club are: Schweppes Essex Senior League: Leyton v Brentwood (kick off 3pm). Essex & Herts Border Combination: Brentwood Reserves v Maldon Town (3pm). Mid-Essex League League Division Two: Brentwood III v EEV (2.15pm). Mid-Essex Veterans League Division One Cup Semi-Final: Burnham Ramblers Vets v Brentwood Vets.

On Wednesday March 8 in the Ongar District Cup, Brentwood III take on Nortel Reserves (7.30pm).

On Thursday March 9 in the Fred Budden Trophy Third Round, First Leg: Brentwood Reserves travel to play Aveley Reserves.

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