Brentwood M3s (5 v 0) UHC M3s

Upminster’s men’s 3rd XI suffered a second consecutive loss in their local derby at Brentwood on Saturday.  However, they will be left scratching their heads as to how the margin of defeat ended up as wide as it did, and how they did not notch at least one goal themselves. 

 The visitors started well and Jon Newby and Will Murphy combined before the latter was foiled by the home keeper, a man who was to play a crucial part in Brentwood’s eventual clean sheet.  Murphy had another chance shortly after and Martin Nutt’s side then forced two short corners in quick succession but both came to nothing.  Brentwood were looking very dangerous on the break as their mixture of youth and experience combined well, but Upminster were still creating the bulk of the chances and Jim Monaghan was the next to be foiled by the Brentwood keeper after being played in by Nutt. It came somewhat against the run of play when the home side then took the lead after 25 minutes.  Brentwood kept possession well and an excellent ball into the D was converted by their young striker. Upminster were left a little rattled by this and they were glad to hear the half time whistle and for the chance to regroup.

 It was Brentwood who started the second half brightly but Upminster weathered the storm and then got back on top.  The home keeper was called into action again from an Upminster short corner before Tom Hilson had two chances in quick succession, one which was inches from sneaking inside the near post.  However, they were made to pay for not taking their chances shortly after as they failed to clear after a Brentwood attack had broken down and the home forward bundled the ball home to double their advantage.  Again the visitors were looking rattled and this time the home side took advantage, adding a third on the break before the fourth came via a short corner. Hilson struck the frame of the goal with a fizzing shot as Upminster continued to look for a deserved goal, but as their legs tired Brentwood scored again thanks to a neat finish to make it 5-0, and that is how things ended.

Upminster will be left feeling a little hard done by after playing well for large periods and creating numerous openings, and they will look to pick up their first win of the season when they welcome Waltham Forest to Coopers on Saturday.