Brent were looking to follow up last week’s home win with a good away performance but were up against a strong and powerful Hillingdon team.
The game started off at a frenetic pace, both teams working hard to shut down the man on the ball and as a result it was a real battle for the first 15 minutes.
Once the game began to calm down, Brent started to control the football, getting the ball forward quickly to their two front men, Ashlee Hibbert and Harry Russell. Shaquille Ishmael (pictured), who was playing just behind the strikers was finding space between the lines and was orchestrating most of Brent’s good attacking play. The attacking three, were supported by Joe Griffiths and Sharmarke Muse playing holding mid-field (Griffiths had replaced Toddington due to illness)
After some great combination play between Hibbert and Ishmael, Ishmael whipped the ball into the box which was met by Hibbert with a cushioned header to give Brent a 1-0 lead.
The Brent back line were secure all half and captain Jordon Green, Henry Marku, Isaac D’Andria, Dylan Singh and Calvin Osbourne were controlling the long balls that came their way enabling Brent to get control of the ball.
Half Time: Brent 1 – 0 Hillingdon
The second half started and was full intensity and determination. Hillingdon reacted well and used the wind to their advantage with balls lumped forward to their strikers who were causing Brent problems.
After a sustained period with their back to the walls, Brent conceded via a dangerous corner that was curled into the box and met with a powerful header to make the game 1-1.
The second half was not dissimilar to the first in that both teams were fighting for each other and battles were occurring all over the pitch. Following the equalizer, Brent did create some half chances, with Dylan Singh and Kraig Mcleod putting some dangerous balls into the box but these chances were few and far between.
The game finished 1-1 and a draw was a fair result.
Nick Constantinou, Nico Pennant and Rory Carlson also had strong performances and overall the boys can be extremely proud that they went away from home a ground out a draw and they can now look forward to the home fixture against Hillingdon in a few weeks’ time.
Full Time: Brent 1 – 1 Hillingdon
Squad: Kai Watts (Claremont High School), Calvin Osbourne ( Claremont High School ), Dylan Singh (Queens Park Community School), Joseph Griffths (Queens Park Community School), Rory Carlson (JFS) Dean Toddington (Queens Park Community School), Nico Pennant ( Claremont High School ) Henry Marku (Preston Manor High School), Sharmarke Muse (Queens Park Community School), Shaquille Ishmael (Ark Academy), Kraig McLeod (Kingsbury High) , Ashlee Hibbert (Kingsbury High School), Jordon Green (JFS) Isacc D’Andria (Queens Park Community School), Harry Russell (JFS), Nick Constantinou (Claremont)
Report by Kim James, photo by Stephen Toddington