Two first half goals from Sam Bantwick condemned Thamesmead Town’s caretaker managers of Grant Spelling and Peter Deadman to defeat in their first full game in charge as Brentwood cemented their place in Ryman One North’s play off places.
With some of those who have applied to become Thamesmead’s new manager watching from the stand, Bantwick struck for Brentwood after just five minutes after getting on the end of a driven cross from the right which sadly exploited both sides of the Mead defence and sadly it put the home side on the back foot. Emmanuel Osei then had a golden chance to double the lead but his surging run into the box was halted as his shot was stopped by keeper Rob Budd.
The home side did have the ball in the net when Chris Manangu forced the ball over the line as Tyrus Gordon-Young combined with Carter, and his low drive was turned aside by keeper Ollie Bowles only for Manangu to score only to be denied by the assistants flag.
Brentwood upped tempo again and could have doubled their lead as first Tommy Richardson headed wide and then Robbie Rees glanced a second header wide when he should have scored.
Chasing the game, the Mead came out after the break looking like a different team, and were right back in the game within ten minutes, when Ashley Probets free kick was glanced home brilliantly at the near post by Carter.
It put the visitors in a difficult position as they didn’t seem to know whether to push on to gain what would have been a clinching third or defend what they already had. To that end, the game became even more engrossing as it gave the home team hope. It was hope that remained all through the second half, the Mead tried to find a way through limiting the visitors to breaks and from one of those Tommy Richardson saw his shot cleared off of the line.
Gordon-Young working tirelessly up front saw one brilliant effort flash across the face of goal but there was no one in a green shirt backing up, before Carter went even closer as from Michael Spencer’s cross, Carter’s diving header went straight at the keeper – a foot either side and the Mead would have been level. For as much as they pressed forward, the only late chance that the home side created came from a corner when George Benner snatched at a shot which flew inches over the Brentwood bar – sadly for the home side the points went with it…
THAMESMEAD TOWN – Budd, Spencer, Probets, Traore, Benner, Butler, Carter, Anidugbe (Cray 78), Gordon-Young, Manangu, Porter (McGarrigle 85)
Sub – Vint
BRENTWOOD TOWN – Bowles, Love, Baucutt, Stokes, Mbulu< Rees, Milner, Robson (Gardner 67), Osei (McFarlane 89), Ruchardson, Bantwick
Subs – Oliver & Freeman
Referee – Lowe
Assistant – Smith & Simpson