Iron won all three points in a game that saw them dominate the opposition throughout the game as they returned to their first piece of action at the Amlin stadium since the back end of 2013. Dan Sparks scored the only goal of the game, securing the win for the home side, latching onto a Bernard Mensah run to fire low and hard past the visiting goalkeeper. Both loan signings were handed a start in the game against 2nd place Cambridge after impressing against Kidderminster Harriers at the weekend. This meant a home debut for both Josh Laurent and Barnard Mensah, which also saw the pair complete the 90 minutes as they looked settled in the side throughout.
Both sides struggled to keep hold of the ball in the early stages, with the away side finding space for the first chance with Andy Pugh in space outside the Iron area. His lashed shot failed to trouble Nic Hamann, slicing well wide of the Braintree goal. Straight down the other end, some nice play down the Iron left flank found Josh Laurent open in the visitor’s box. His control on the knee set himself up for a volleyed effort, which fell into Will Norris’ arms. Moments later, a throw from the same area found Barnard Mensah again unmarked inside the U’s area. His attempt flew wide, which was followed shortly after by a low strike across goal from the Watford man, again going out a goal kick as the home side began to take a handle on the game.
Ten minutes before half time, Matt Paine found the referees book as he slid in late on U’s Ryan Bird. The resulting free kick was caught by Nic Hamann to the delight of Ryan Peters, whose backward header looked destined for the back of his own net. Neither side could break the deadlock in the first half as the referee blew the whistle with the game goalless.
Cambridge looked to have opened the scoring on the hour mark, when Braintree struggled to clear a bobbling ball in the box. Sam Habergham sliced a clearance which fell back into the box, and trickled towards Ryan Bird just yards from the goal line. Bird stuck out a leg but could not get enough on the ball to prevent the spin from taking it the wrong side of Hamann’s right post for the visitors.
But it was Iron who took the lead with Bernard Mensah bearing down on the Cambridge goal as he picked up the ball down the Iron left hand side. He twisted and turned into the visitor’s box, crossing paths with Dan Sparks who took the opportunity to strike the running ball low and hard to the goalkeeper’s left hand side. Will Norris couldn’t get down quick enough to prevent the Iron opener, turning to watch the net ripple as an orange bundle formed in celebration of the lead.
Sam Habergham was awarded a yellow card in the final ten minutes as he argued for the position of a throw with the referee, and Ryan Peters was sent jumping in frustration by the referee when he was awarded the same punishment for a challenge 30 yards out on Ryan Bird. As Bird returned to the field after going off for treatment, Cambridge fired in a corner which grazed the Iron bar with less than five minutes to play.
Sean Marks was pulled down outside the Cambridge area, and consequent found the book for retaliation, but won a free kick which was directed into the Cambridge box and forced a great save from the Cambridge goalkeeper. The resulting corner found James Mulley, who met the cross with a bullet header that again required Norris to be at his best. Josh Laurent was next to drill a shot goal bound at the keeper, as Iron peppered the Cambridge goal looking to extend their lead in injury time. An extension was not to be, and the referee called a close to a great win for Braintree in a game against the second placed side in the division who looked second best all night to a classy Iron outfit.
Manager Alan Devonshire could not hide his delight with the performance after the game, reiterating a dominant display. “We bossed it in the second half. I said to Nic (Hamann) after did you have a save to make in the second half and he said no”. After recording three points against the second placed team, Braintree welcome bottom of the table Hyde at the weekend, and Alan Devonshire will be taking nothing for granted. “Their scoring goals and we’ll take nothing for granted.” After a long layoff, Devonshire looks to make the most of the initial games back which has supplied him with an almost fresh faced squad halfway through the season. “This is like pre-season for us at the moment, we’re looking fresh.”
Braintree Town: Hamann, Peters, Habergham, Wells, Massey, Davis (Sparks), Paine, Laurent, Mulley, Mansah, Marks
Unused Subs: McDonald, Long, Holman, Daley
Cambridge United: Norris, Roberts, Taylor, Coulson, Bonner, Champion, Pugh (Chambers), Hughes, Berry (Gilles), Bird, Barnes Homer (Arnold)
Unused Subs: Sullivan, Tait
Referee: Dean Treleaven
Assistants: Paul Burnham and Christopher Pollard
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