Brentwood- who marked Non League Day with a free drink offer- were buoyed by a bumper crowd of over 400 and started the game well, hitting the bar inside the opening 2 minutes. Their good start was rewarded in the 10th minute when Mekhi McKenzie took advantage of a
breakdown in communication to put Brentwood ahead.

The Jammers equaliser in the 17th minute was a well worked move that started from Luca Collins’ pinpoint ball out to Terrell Egbri on the left hand side. Egbri skinned Jonathan Nzengo and played the ball into George Smith who turned on a sixpence and curled a wonderful shot past Melvin Minter to level proceedings. The feel good factor was short-lived.

Straight from kickoff, Brentwood were on the attack and Jammers captain Lewis Jaggs was adjudged to be the last man when he tangled with the Brentwood player. Jaggs was shown a straight red and Maldon were straight back on the back foot.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Maldon continued to look dangerous, Egbri flashing a ball across the face of goal in the 25th minute that neither Smith nor Louis Britton could get on the end of.

Brentwood had chances to take the lead with McKenzie heading over Tom Stephen’s cross. James Love fired over from close range just before half time for the hosts to ensure the sides went into the break level.

The second half was a far less even affair as Brentwood made their man advantage count. The pressure eventually told with 10 minutes played when Andrew Freeman lashed home a free kick from the edge of the box.

Wyan Reid made sure of the points with 20 minutes to play, when he pounced on a sloppy pass to drill home from all of 30 yards. Harry Honesty headed home a corner deep into stoppage time, but it proved too late to stage a comeback as the hosts took all 3 points.

Next up for the Jammers is an Easter double header at home to Lowestoft Town followed by a trip to Heybridge.