Saturday saw Brentwood consolidate second place in the Essex Senior League, and moving to within one point of Basildon United, and Blues have two games in hand on the leaders.

Brentwood were without Paul Battram and Paul Brewington, both injured at Barkingside the previous Wednesday, but welcomed back top scorer Dave Stittle who had missed that game through illness.

They also introduced new signing Andy McDonald and he looked a useful acquisition, taking Brewington's normal place on the left side of midfield.

Comfortable it may have been for Blues but Stansted created the first chances in the opening minutes of the game.

Experienced player manager Tony Mercer headed a corner just over the bar in the first minute and in the fourth minute Mercer's skilful flick created an opening for his strike partner Prezecoziecki, but his shot was straight at Brentwood goalkeeper Dave Pether.

But Brentwood soon began to control the game and when Stittle beat the offside trap, visiting goalkeeper Donovan had to be very quick off his line to thwart the striker.

McDonald then made his first contribution, showing his excellent skill and close control before putting in a dangerous cross from the left.

McDonald then had a chance himself but shot over after Wayne Gannon had created the opportunity.

Brentwood continued to create chances but when the goal came in the 27th minute it was something of a surprise.

Lee Felstead tried a speculative shot from 40 yards and the ball dipped late, surprising Donovan, and went in off the underside of the crossbar.

Three minutes later Stittle was through again and this time he rounded Donovan and tapped in the second goal.

Although Prezecoziecki continued to look lively up front for Stansted the result was never in doubt in any doubt and it was a surprise that it took until the 67h minute before Brentwood extended their lead.

Stittle was again the scorer, seizing on the ball after a misunderstanding between Donovan and his defence, he turned quickly and shot into an empty goal.

Then Lee Felstead swept home his second goal after a good move in the 70th minute.

The full back makes a habit of scoring against Stansted as he scored twice against them at their ground in November last year.

Gannon completed the scoring in the 88th minute, firing home into the corner after Stittle had found him with a good early pass.

Brentwood: Pether, Felstead (Simpkins), Martin, Garneys, Wood (Read), Allen, Fairweather, Mead, Gannon, Stittle, and McDonald.

Other news

Brentwood Veteranss beat OId Chelmsfordians Vets 3-2 on Saturday, with Nick Cory, Spencer Pratten and Ray Dekeyzer scoring the Brentwood goals.

Brentwood first team's game with Saffron Walden this Saturday, (November 11), has been switched to Sawbridgeworth Town's ground because work on Saffron Walden's new pitch has been delayed by the bad weather.

The Essex Thames-side Trophy match at Hullbridge next Tuesday (November 14), has been postponed until December 19, as Hullbridge have an outstanding AOF League Cup match to play next week.

Brentwood Under 18s play Colchester United Youth in the second round of the Eastern Junior Cup at The Brentwood Centre on Tuesday (November 14).

The Reserves have an additional fixture on Tuesday, November 21, when they play Ford United Reserves in the Essex & Herts Border Combination.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.