Iron sealed their place in the Essex Senior Cup Final against AFC Hornchurch last night, but were made to do so the hard way as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Bridge Avenue. Devonshire’s tactical changes proved to be the difference, as his side came from a goal behind with just ten men following Kenny Davis’ second half dismissal. Dan Holman’s headed goal saw the game go to penalties, which Braintree capitalised on to secure their final place, which will be played against the winner of Concord Rangers and Colchester United.
Devonshire named a near full strength side against the cup holders, paying them respect as tough opposition on home turf. The first real chance of the game fell to Jordan Cox who came back to meet a trickling ball into the Hornchurch box. With his back to goal, Cox held off the challenge from the oncoming defender, managing to shoot hard and low on the turn towards the bottom corner. The resulting effort trickled just past the wrong side of the goalpost, failing to test the home keeper.
Leigh Bremner found himself in space for the Urchins when he picked up the ball in midfield and used the opportunity to run at the opposition, drifting across the Braintree back line. Sam Habergham looked to come forward and cut out Bremners run, but failed to make contact with the ball, sending the pacey winger sprawling and picking up a yellow card.
Cox’s headed flick on from a throw deep inside the Hornchurch half was picked up by Sean Marks, who got into a dangerous position in the box. A clever lay off to James Mulley looked like it was going to provide the first goal in this fixture, but Mulley failed to get his shot on target giving the hosts a let off as his shot floated over the bar.
Rickie Hayles went up to take a throw in an advanced position for the hosts, catapulting into the Braintree box. Stefan Payne was there to make the header, directing his effort wide of the post to remind the Conference side of the attacking danger that his team possessed. However, neither side could break the deadlock before half time with all to play for in the second half.
Braintree fans were left wanting when they appealed for a penalty from the referee after they saw Sean Marks brought down in the area by Frankie Curley. The appeals were waved away and moments later Marks was shown a yellow for dissent.
Stefan Payne did well to control a ball over his shoulder, setting himself up in the Iron box. His left footed strike lacked the power it needed to beat Nik Hamann who smothered the attempt. Minutes later Payne was set free again with a long ball up from the Hornchurch defence. Again he failed to make the most of the opportunity to beat the keeper when he found himself one on one with Hamann, who matched the shot for the second time.
The game took an unexpected turn when Iron were suddenly left with ten men. From nowhere, Captain Kenny Davis was sent for an early bath for a foul in the middle of the park. Handing over the armband to Sean Marks, Davis took a slow walk off as the Conference side were left stunned and with a great deal to do to progress against a hard working Hornchurch side.
Hornchurch soon made the extra man count when Leigh Bemner played in Stefan Payne from the left hand side. The forward made it third time lucky as he turned in the box and fired low and hard to Hamanns left. The keeper could not prevent this one, and saw Paynes effort nestle into the bottom corner to give the home side the advantage.
Devonshire quickly looked to change things around, bringing on Ben Long and Dan Holman to replace Sam Habergham and Jordan Cox. However, it was the home side that had the momentum, playing an inviting ball into George Purcell. Hamann was quick off his line to clear the danger as the striker looked to break clear. Devonshire used his last sub to change things once more with Luke Daley coming on for James Mulley.
The tactical changes paid off when Ben Long and Dan Holman linked up in the Urchins box. Long headed down to Holman ten yards out, who shot first time past keeper Inigo Echepare to level the scoring heading into the final ten minutes. Both teams had opportunities to win the tie, but neither could do so in normal time as the final whistle blew with the sides both level.
With no extra time to be played, the teams named their five penalty takers, and gathered in the centre circle to watch each man attempt to convert. In the end it would not be one of these men that was the Essex hero or villain as fourteen penalties were required. With Wells, Holman, Daley and Paine scoring from the spot, both sides had managed to score four of six. Paul Starkey stepped up for number seven for the hosts, shooting down the middle which was saved by Hamann to hand Peters the opportunity to win it. Ryan’s penalty was guided into the side netting to win the tie, booking Braintree’s place in the final.
AFC Hornchurch: Inigo Echepare, Billy Coyne, Alex Bentley (Michael Spencer), Elliott Styles, Richie Hayles, Frankie Curley, Phil Starkey, Joey May, Stefan Payne, George Purcell, Leigh Bremner (Tabeson Eyong)
Unused Subs: Carl Rook, Sam Lechmere, Michael Bowditch
Braintree Town: Nik Hamann, Ryan Peters, Sam Habergham (Ben Long), Matt Paine, Kenny Davis, Sean Marks, Dan Sparkes, Alan Massey, Dean Wells, Jordan Cox (Dan Holman), James Mulley (Luke Daley)
Unused Subs: Nathan McDonald
Referee: Barry Holdornes
Assistants: Rick Bloy, Neil West
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