Braintree Town Vs Nuneaton Town match report 27-03-14

An all-round performance from the Iron saw Braintree stride further up the table, and into a playoff place with ten games left to play this season. A Nuneaton own goal and a strike from Dan Holman allowed Alan Devonshire’s side to leapfrog the visitors, climbing six places on the night to take up the final playoff position on goal difference, but with four games in hand on their competitors tonight.

Dan Holman used his strength well early on to hold off the Nuneaton defence, receiving a lofted ball just inside the opposition half with his back to goal. Playing through an opening, Dan spotted a run from Dan Sparkes early and provided something to run onto with Sparkes sprinting into space. Latching onto the ball, Sparkes fired in a shot across goal, which coasted just wide of the opposite post. However, moments later the Iron took the lead through an own goal by Theo Streete. James Mulley ran at the opposition defence, cutting in and drilling a daisy cutter through the ‘Boro box. Although the cross was beyond an orange shirt, a backtracking Theo Streete could not help but turn the ball into his own net, handing the Iron the lead within ten minutes.

A long free kick from Hamann allowed Marks to produce a classy flick onto fellow striker Dan Holman who read the ball well to find himself alone in space. However, a late flag from the linesman on the near side denied Holman the opportunity to add a second. Instead, Holman would create his own opening just moments later, picking up the ball midway into the oppositions half, and carrying in down the left hand side to find himself one on one with the goalkeeper. The on loan Stoke City man could do little to deny Holman, who placed the shot perfectly with his left to double the lead just 18minutes in.

Kenny Davis almost added a third on half time when a Dan Sparkes corner in from the right hand side was flicked at goal. A great save from the ’Boro goalkeeper was all that kept the deficit to two, with another fine stop required before the whistle was blown. James Mulley took the next shot with his left, requiring a lot from Eve who did well to parry the effort to prevent an even greater mountain to climb for his side in the second half. Although the away side had some nice play in the middle of the park, very little was created in the first half with Hamann virtually untested going down the tunnel.

Coming back from the break Braintree were to go again, with Streete this time the saviour for his side as he prevented Holman from snatching a second. Good work down the right hand side from Mulley allowed the Iron to cross, committing the Nuneaton ‘keeper who completely misjudged the flight of the ball. With Holman looking to meet the dipping ball behind Eve, Streete stole the ball from his head, nodding to safety. From a corner just after the chance, Holman received the ball again with his back to goal. However, he found plenty of opportunity to turn and take on the shot which made its way just wide of the visitor’s right post.

Chez Isaac tried a curling effort in from the left hand side after Sean Marks was brought down going away from goal by Dean Gareth. Both Sparkes and Isaac stood over the dead ball, just outside the box on the left wing. But it was to be Isaac who provided an in-swinging delivery which was caught easily by Eve as it headed toward the top left hand corner.

James Mulley had his shirt over his head when he lofted over an effort which as set up by Holman. Picking up the cross from the right hand side, Mulley turned to fire over inside the box as the Iron struggled to add a third to their tally.

Instead, David Hibbert converted the first real effort for Nuneaton, capitalising on a defensive mix up which allowed the front man to run clear. Hibbert kept his cool, running through the defensive line and opening his body to slot past Hamann, tucking his effort into the bottom right hand corner. ‘Boro’s first chance would mean the Iron would have to work hard to hold onto the lead going into the final 15 minutes.

But with little in the way of chances created from the visitors, Iron pulled through to the final whistle to take all three points, with a playoff position the reward for a professional nights work from Alan Devonshire’s side.

Speaking after the game, Alan Devonshire stated his delight at the team getting into the position that they have. “They (Nuneaton) had one shot in the game really which was the goal. We had so many chances but after that, I can’t knock them for that. We passed it and moved it and should have won it 4 or 5-1, but I’m delighted.”

For the first time this season, Alan failed to instantly dismiss the prospect when playoffs were mentioned, but as still very conservative when questioned.

“They’ve had a hard week, and I just said to them whatever the Conference is going to throw at us, let’s have a go at it. If they get in the playoffs it will be up your’s to the Conference with the games and that because at the end of the day that is the motivation at the moment. We’ve reiterated that no other club will be doing what we will be doing next week.”

Braintree Town: Hamann, Peters, Habergham, Wells, Paine, Isaac, Davis, Sparkes, Mulley, Marks, Holman (Jakubiak)

Unused Subs: McDonald, Laurent, Daley, Holdsworth

 

Nuneaton: Eve, Cranston, Cowan, Gareth, Streete, Walker (Taylor), Trainer, Sleath (Armson), York, Pearson (Adams), Hibbert

Unused Subs: Gordon, Magri
 

Referee: Wane Barratt

Assistants: Matt Evra and Mark Lucie
Fourth Official: George Sprague

Attendance: 802

 

Nuneaton Town (Home) match preview 27-03-14

The Iron take on fifth placed Nuneaton Town at the Amlin stadium on Thursday night, where a win could take them into the playoff places with games in hand over their rivals. On the back of a 2-0 away win at Welling United thanks to two goals from Captain Kenny Davis on Tuesday night, Braintree return to Essex in high spirits and with a top five position in their sights.

Nuneaton’s unbeaten run of four games came to an end against Grimsby Town on Saturday when they lost against their playoff rivals 1-0, and they will be looking to bounce back at the Amlin on Thursday. However, the Iron will be looking to stop this from happening and build their own run having won their last two games. Since returning after a winter layoff, Braintree have propelled themselves up the league, having only being beaten by Lincoln City in their last ten games.

The opposite fixture finished all even in October, with Matthew Paine handing the Iron the lead before Theo Streete equalised and finished the scoring. Last season, Braintree picked up four points in the games against the ‘Boro with a 2-2 draw at home and emphatic 4-2 win on the road.

With great momentum in the last two months and a chance to take up a position in the top five, the Iron are hoping to be roared on by a strong home crowd before taking to the road for three away games.

Small clubs can play in front of big crowds

Dwindling attendances and how lower league sides are missing a trick.

Ask any young boy that dreams of being a footballer what he sees when he closes his eyes. Iconic stadiums full to capacity, the roar of the crowd as the home side takes to the field, and an eruption heard for miles when the ball hits the back of the net. These are the images captured by the cameras as Champions league games, ‘Super Sunday’ match ups and soon to be World cup games are beamed into our homes. The reality for the vast majority of footballers that ‘make it’? Hours on a coach to a damp Tuesday night fixture played in front of little more than one man and his dog.

Though the loyalist of fans attempt to recreate it, no League Two fixture will capture the atmosphere found at Celtic Park on a Champions league night, and a lower league side would find little benefit of playing in a 60,000 capacity stadium (though Leyton Orient seem to think differently), as they just will not fill it. However, every club should strive to reach their potential, whether that is to bring in a global audience and win major trophies, or reach out to the local community and challenge for local honours. Whatever level a side is at and however well known a club is, there is always opportunity to achieve more. Looking at what the local clubs are currently doing, they can certainly do this from an attendance point of view in my experience.

With success naturally comes interest. The larger clubs with the bigger fan bases are usually the ones that are challenging for the title. Perhaps this is because more money comes into the club, and so more is spent on marketing, or perhaps it is just because naturally people want to watch a successful club. However, football in this country is a tradition, as much a part of our lives as a Sunday roast or the Royal family. There is a natural interest in the game, and I don’t feel that the clubs lower down always act upon this to their full potential.

My local club is Colchester United. Historically a smaller club that peaked at the turn of the century by winning promotion to the second tier. Colchester has always been a club that has spent within its means, and for this I have always admired them. With the promotion came a new 10,000 seated home for the U’s in the Weston Homes Community stadium. Money well spent by a club that had awful facilities before, though I truly believe that helped them to win promotion in the first place. As a teenager I would visit Layer road often; an old-school ground in the middle of a residential area with terraces on top of the touchline and prehistoric facilities less than welcoming for away teams. Looking back at some of the scalps that I have seen Colchester pull off against the bigger sides, I believe that the shoddy pitch and intimidating atmosphere won the U’s a few points that propelled them up the table. A few seasons later and the club have been relegated back into League One and usually get 3,500 down to the new ground, which may as well be 300. Echoes of murmurs scatter around the ground on a match day until the full time whistle is blown. Colchester is not a massive town, but I believe that there are plenty of opportunities that exist to bring in the numbers, get the ground rocking and provide some much needed revenue to the club.

Walking around the town, you wouldn’t know that the club exists. The only blue and white stripes are Tesco carrier bags and there is no advertising presence in the area at all. Maybe some are reminded of the local team as they drive past the stadium on the A12 on the way home, and I have noticed the two screens that now display events to passers-by, but that’s about all that exists. More worrying are the ticket prices if anyone does turn up. Pay on the day prices are usually £22-£30 for adults and differing rates for juniors. Under 18’s will pay between £13 and £16, £6-£9 for under 14’s and £2-£5 for under 8’s. Now it’s great that a young child can get in to a League One club for £2, but in reality most families will still be priced out for regular attendance. A day out for an adult and two kids depending on age will cost around £50 for admission. This is before travel, parking, food and drink let alone programmes and whatever else the kids may pick up in the club shop. For a top four club on a one off day then maybe you would see it as a viable cost, but for a local club that hasn’t really got much hope of competing at the moment it is too much, and certainly not viable for most on a regular basis.

 

A few miles down the road and a few tiers down the football system, Chelmsford City have shown that they are willing to attempt to increase the numbers of visitors to the Melbourne recently. Again in my eyes for the level that they play at the entrance fee is too much, but looking at the turnout in their ‘pay what you want game’, maybe justifiable. Here Chelmsford had the novel idea of allowing fans of both sides in their league fixture against Hayes and Yeading to pay any fee that they fancied. Usually the club charge around £14 for adults, which I know would be seen by many as a lot for a local club. However, the turnout that they usually get is still around 670. By allowing the fans to in effect pay a penny to watch the game, they increased the attendance to 718. Now on a pure business model, drawing in an extra 48 fans from the average by decreasing ticket prices to almost nil proves that reductions simply do not make sense. If these extra few only came because it was cheap, would knocking an extra couple of quid off of the standard prices still bring them in? Probably not, thus unfortunately proving that price increases should if anything be looked at if a club like this is wanting to increase revenue rather than the other way around.

What teams need to do is reach out to the fans with offers and deals that will bring them to the club, and hopefully then show them that going to the game on a Saturday is enjoyable and will make them want to do it again. In my view, clubs need to do this at an early age, and reaching out to the kids is where the smart moves will be made. Why are there not more tickets offered as prizes, or even just given out free? With over 85 primary schools in and around Colchester, if every home game 10 tickets were given out to each school as prizes, this would still have no impact on the stadium in terms of capacity. Firstly, in its own right, if these were given to kids and possibly an adult ticket for £5 alongside to get them to the game, siblings or friends will want to go as well. When at the game, food, drink and maybe the odd souvenir will get picked up on the ‘free’ day out, so the club will make money. But thinking long term, as the local child enjoys it and family see that, it becomes something that the kid will want to do again. Get that child there on a regular basis, they become a lifelong fan, and in future instead of paying £2 to get in, they’ll be paying £30.

 

Now in my example of Colchester, the quick win for me would be the garrison. One of the largest in England provides plenty of opportunity to draw in the numbers. If forces personnel could pick up tickets for £10, and the games were advertised in the right way then they’d turn up. I would be asking if the club has looked into fully utilising this asset that a lot of clubs would love to have in their towns. Thousands of young lads with spare cash that are usually looking to occupy time, why wouldn’t they go to the football if it was easy enough to do? It may take a bit of work from the club in terms of organising buses from the garrison, maybe putting on a few deals and maybe even offer a forces section, which would certainly add to the atmosphere. It would definitely be worth it and in terms of revenue, even the beer sales would make it worthwhile bending over backwards to get the forces personnel down.

But this is not just picking on Colchester. I ‘m simply using them as an example of things that could be done, and as the highest ranked football league side in Essex, I think plenty of opportunities exist to boost that dwindling crowd that make their way to see the U’s. Of course, the ability to put things into practice to an extent relies on money. Advertising around the area and laying on free transport services costs money. Even co-ordinating with the local schools requires organisation and employees which costs money, and the further down the football pyramid you go, the shorter the supply of money becomes. However, looking at Conference side Braintree Town who I have seen a lot of this year, their realisation of the importance of blooding young fans is evident from the first click on the website. “Free season tickets for under 16’s”. Now I’ll be honest I haven’t looked into the uptake of this offer, how it is taken advantage of or who qualifies, but certainly the idea is right. Take a hit on the small entrance fee that some of these youngsters would normally pay. Get them to bring their mates down. Why not? It’s free! Then all of a sudden those few bring a few and when they are earning money they pay for the privilege of seeing the side that they have been watching potentially by now for years.

                Outside the well mediated Premier league and European club games, I think that work needs to be done. Unfortunately the further you fall below the top tier in English football, the harder this work becomes and the less resources the clubs have to commit to it. However, reaching out to the fans is in my eyes the most important thing to every club. Success will bring fans, and as a team rises up the divisions, then the numbers will come in. But this will usually be to see the big name clubs and stars that the opposition bring. Those fans will soon disappear when the club falls upon harder times. Clubs need to build upon loyal fans, a more reliable source of income, and can move forward from there. The first building block is become established in the local community. Add to the current crowd with some youngsters. Get the kids in from local youth football sides, schools or anywhere and make them want to come again. Once this has been addressed seek out the ways to bring in extra adults. I know each club will try and do this anyway, and am not so naïve that taking money off of anyone that a club can attract will not already be top of the agenda. But I still think that this can be done better. The numbers increase not only gate receipts and other revenue from match days, but also sponsorship potential. Then when clubs have addressed this, look at what is happening on the pitch, not the other way around

 

             If more cubs took this stance, we would hear a lot less about the ‘evils of a certain broadcaster’ and the Premier league which many say is sucking the life out of football beyond the top division, and to some extent I would agree. The landscape is changing dramatically in football, and now more than ever clubs need to be proactive. The accessibility of watching top clubs and talent across the world is greater than ever, with football on TV almost every day of the week now. When the easiest football to see would have been walking down to the local side, perhaps clubs could rely on this alone. Now the situation is different, and whilst lower league sides will never compete with the talent on show by the top clubs, they can still offer entertainment and that is what football is about. Furthermore it is about unity, belief, love of the club and an upbringing. This is where the club can play a part, and needs to in the biggest of ways to make sure that the numbers continue, or risk losing those that occupy the seats in the stands of the future to a seat at home in front of a screen.

Braintree Town VS Aldershot Town Match report 22-03-2014

Iron returned to winning ways after a double Lincoln City defeat against a struggling Aldershot Town side at the Amlin stadium. An early Dan Holman strike was enough to claim all three points for the Iron, who had the ball in the back of the net again in the second half but was booked for his troubles after the flag was raised for offside. The win means that Braintree remain five points from the playoffs, but sinks their opponents even further who are now two points from safety.

Dan Holman opened the scoring early on to shock the ‘Shots, running on to a loose ball which bobbled just behind the back line in the third minute. Holman made the most of a mix up in defence which allowed the vacant ball, keeping his cool to carefully poke past Morris with his right to give the Iron the perfect start.

Looking to respond early, Brett Williams created a great chance for the visitors, breaking down the left hand side and standing the ball up in the box for Craig Stanley. The lofty defender got himself into a good position in the box without pressure from any of the Iron defenders, but failed to make the chance count producing more of a defensive header to give the Iron a let off.

James Mulley came within a whisper of doubling the advantage when Chez Isaac switched the ball from the inside right to Mulley cutting in on the left flank. The perfectly weighted pass was taken in Mulley’s stride, whose next touch was a shot at goal which bobbled just wide of the right post. Holman was next to find himself with an opening, being played in from the right by Sean Marks. Holman twisted and turned inside the penalty area after receiving with his back at goal, eventually firing wide ten minutes from the end of the first half.

Neither team could further the scoring before half time, both having chances but largely cancelling one another out in the first 45 minutes.

Adam Mekki found the book for the book for the visitors when he brought down James Mulley who was carrying the ball across the visitor’s box looking for an opening to score. Dan Sparkes lined up with Holman for the shot, but it was Sparkes who struck from just outside the box with his left. Sparkes had beat the wall and the goalkeeper, but could not beat the woodwork, rattling the bar with the rebound cleared away by the ‘Shots defence.

Following a double substitution for the visitors, Josh Scott created havoc in the box for Braintree, spinning to search for a teammate or opening. However, Dean Wells was there to clear for the Iron to the frustration of the travelling fans who was urging their team to strike. Scott and Molesey played the ball around again deep into the Iron left hand side, eventually crossing to Brett Williams who unmarked in the area failed to punish.

The visitors piled on more pressure from a corner, with Tonkin coming across to provide the delivery from the right. Bradley Bubb’s driven shot was cleared off of the line by the Iron, and a loose ball trickled out to fellow sub Mark Molesey. Molesey fired hard from outside the box, but was charged down by Den Wells who blocked to relieve the danger.

Braintree had the ball in the back of the net again with 20minutes to play, when he followed onto a through ball played to Sean Marks in an offside position. Marks left the ball, but Holman who was onside continued his run and rolled the ball into the net with the opposition stationary. The referee blew for offside and awarded Holman a booking for his troubles, although the offside Marks had not interfered with play.

Ten minutes from time, Braldey Bubb came close to an equaliser with an acrobatic effort from ten yards out. Bubb connected with the delivery l in perfectly to land an overhead kick, which Hamann caught with confidence to retain the home lead.

Brett Williams’s shot was deflected out for a corner, which kept the pressure on the Iron, but the clearance from the corner allowed Holman to break down the left hand side. Holman picked the ball up just inside the Aldershot half, and took it past the first defender into free space. Mulley was breaking his neck to get into the area, but Holman favoured a shot of his own. Looking for a curling effort into the far top corner, Holman fired high and wide off of target.

Four minutes of added time was not enough for the visitors to equalise, and whistle was blown for full time with just the one goal.

After the game Alan Devonshire reflected on the win which stopped the rot that Lincoln City had begun. “Theres not many times when we’ve gone on a run of a few defeats, so to get back to winning ways is great. To get a clean sheet as well, I think he had one shot to save Nick, and that was the overhead kick. Credit to them, we’ve had a bit of a patched up side as well. I’m delighted for them. They’ve dug in well again and got a good result for us.”

Alan bluntly refused to see a chance of obtaining the final playoff spot once again, despite the Iron sitting just five points adrift, highlighting the run in of games that Braintree have been handed. Devonshire suggested that the way that these fixtures had been organised by the league has left them with an unfair mountain to climb.

“I look at the Grimsby Vs Dartford game and that’s been pushed back until the 10^th April because the two clubs agreed. Halifax didn’t agree to do the same with us because they didn’t have a game. We’ve got 55 points now, we’re safe and we can go and enjoy the rest of the season, but I think if you were in my position you would think exactly the same.”

Braintree Town: Hamann, Peters, Sparkes, Wells, Paine, Isaac, Davis, Daley (Laurent), Mulley, Marks, Holman (Jakubiak)

Unused Subs: McDonald, Maybanks, Holdsworth

Aldershot Town: Morris, Oastler, Tonkin, Stanley, Mekki (Molesey), Rowlands, Williams, Barker, Scott, Gibbs, Butler (Bubb)

Unused Subs: Taiwo, Webster, Martin

Referee: Justin Amey

Assistants: Joshua Smith and Tim Donellan

Fourth Official: Robin Cox

Attendance: 1090

Braintree Town Vs Lincoln City Match report 18-03-2014

A repeat of Saturday’s fixture which saw the Iron face Lincoln City would result in a repeat of the score line also, as Braintree slumped to a 2-0 defeat at the Amlin. The hosts were outmuscled by a physical Lincoln side, who leapfrogged Alan Devonshire’s side after benefitting from a six point swing over the two matches played. Luke Foster and Jake Sheridan bagged one in each half to seal the win for City, who had chances to make it a greater margin, especially in the second half. However, Lincoln kept true to form to win by the two goals, which they have now done three times this season having now met twice in the league and once in the FA Trophy.

An early Kenny Davis free kick did little to test the visiting goalkeeper from just outside the box. With both sides cancelling each other out in the first ten minutes, the first opening of the game came when Kenny Davis dispossessed a Lincoln attack just outside his area. Davis fed the ball to Mulley who dribbled with pace from deep within his own half at the defensive line, finding an opening to shoot. However, the hassling Imps did enough to knock James Mulley’s sights off target, with the resulting shot drifting well wide of the mark.

Dan Holman had the next attempt for the Iron following a great individual run from Bernard Mensah. Mensah twisted and turned past three Lincoln defenders, eventually seeing the ball run into the path of Dan Holman, who first struck directly at his teammate standing just yards in front of him, then put the second attempt wide of the goalkeepers left post.

A well worked corner by the Iron on the right hand side allowed Kenny Davis to float an inviting ball into the visitor’s box. Davis’ drifted ball seemed to make its way across the six yard box in slow motion, failing to find an orange shirt and eventually making its way safe for a goal kick.

Down the other end, Ben Tomlinson found Hamann fully committed when he came rushing at the attacker well out of his box. The Lincoln striker knocked it round the onrushing keeper, but was unable to pick up the bobbling ball before it was put out for a corner. The ball in was just as devastating, fired with conviction onto the vacant head of Luke Foster, who had all the time in the world to direct the ball past Hamann to hand the Imps the lead.

Just before the whistle blew for half time, Bernard Mensah found Dan Holman in space just outside the Lincoln box, who set himself up to shoot. Holman nudged the ball onto his left and fired hard and low across goal, only to watch his shot skip past the right post to send the Iron down the tunnel a goal behind.

Just after the restart, Mensah’s run across the Lincoln back line was brought to a devastating halt when the loanee was scythed down by Tom Miller. Miller saw yellow for his troubles, but it was the Iron man who suffered, signalling instantly to the bench to bring him off as a result of a nasty challenge that the home fans thought deserved instant dismissal.

Following a Mulley ball in which hit the top of the bar, the next Lincoln attack was called back for what looked to be a penalty. However, the referee pointed to just outside the area, and a free kick was given on the edge of the box that Sean Newton stood carefully placed as the visiting fans sang 2-0. Optimistic support may have jinxed Newton, who found Hamann’s organisation of his wall, and cover on the near side more than equal to his effort.

Just past the hour mark and the Iron were inches away from an equaliser when an almost identical effort to their opposition’s opener was played out. Amongst a barrage of bodies, the nodded effort in was scrambled clear off of the line, and the home side where sent back to the starting blocks to go again for their leveller.

But that was not to be as the home side started to chase the game. Jake Sheridan struck a thunderous effort from 25yards out, latching onto a loose ball on the Iron left flank. The Imps attack were starting to unlock the home defence as fatigue seemed to set in heading into the last 15 minutes, and Sheridan capitalised in style when he struck a superb effort easily past Nick Hamann whilst almost unchallenged.

Matt Paine and Dan Sparkes both picked up yellows inside minute as injury time beckoned. Sheridan had a chance to bag a brace in the final moments as he ran onto a loose ball. But Hamann closed the striker well to keep the deficit to two for the third time this season against the visitors.

Alan Devonshire showed his anger at the end of the game on the tackle just inside the second half on Watford loan recruit Bernard Mensah. “I’m fuming. It as a scandalous tackle. He knew what he was doing as well. The lad has to go for a scan tomorrow on his knee. There is no place for that in football.”

Braintree Town: Hamann, Peters, Habergham (Sparkes), Wells, Paine, Davis, Mulley, Laurent (Isaac), Mensah (Jakubiak), Marks, Holman

Unused subs: McDonald, Daley

Lincoln City: Townsend, Miller, Newton, Jordan, Audel, Rowe, Tomlinson (Simmons), Sheridan (Dixon), Gray, Mendy, Foster

Unused Subs: Nolan, Adams, Preece

Referee: Daniel Cook

Assistants: Adrian Quelch and Rob Smith
Fourth Official: Carl Pearse

Braintree Town Vs Wrexham match report 11-3-14

The Iron continued their unbeaten run with three points and three goals in another great home display that has kept the Braintree train rolling up the division since returning from a long layoff over the winter. Marks, Holman and Jukubiak were on the score sheet at the Amlin, which will please manager Alan Devonshire who has expressed a need for squad rotation as the Iron take on a congested fixture list. The win has seen Braintree go above Wrexham in the table, still with six games in hand over 5^th placed Barnet, and now just eight points behind.

Braintree flew out of the traps from the kick off when Sean Marks cushioned a long ball forward with his chest to Dan Holman. The pace from the resulting shot was removed with a heavy deflection, which meant the ball trickled out for a corner. Minutes later, Josh Laurent picked up the ball on the right hand side, and managed to find Bernard Mensah unmarked in the box. Mensah had all the time in the world with his effort, striking first time, but could not find the target. His effort flew wide; a good chance for the Iron to put themselves ahead missed.

Wrexham began to find their feet after the scare, with Tomassen delivering some inviting balls in from the wing. However, the Braintree defence dealt well with the crosses. Dean Wells and Nick Hamann were spared their blushes when Hamann was sent scrambling across his box to prevent a corner from a back pass by Wells. Clearing only as far as a Wrexham man, the resulting ball in was picked up and cleared away to keep the home side safe.

Laurent had the next big effort, picking up the ball on the edge of the 18 yard box following a corner in from the left hand side. Laurent dinked an effort goal wards, which looked to be creeping under the bar until Wrexham goalkeeper Andy Coughlin tipped over to safety.

Some silky skill from Holman created an opening as Braintree went forward with a three pronged attack. Mensah’s layoff to Holman saw the striker pull off a double step over, only to fire directly at teammate Sean Marks, who was ahead in the box and inadvertently blocked.

Mensah again came forward for the hosts, exchanging a nice one-two on his way through on goal, to set himself up to shoot with his left from just inside the Wrexham box. Coughlin was again equal to the effort when he was called upon, turning the ball out for yet another corner to the Iron.

In the final ten minutes of the first half, Peters went forward to take the throw deep inside the visitors half. Playing in triangles, an opening was found to cross towards Marks, who couldn’t make the most of the opportunity, again letting off the hosts. Wrexham pumped the ball forward, which was played out to Harris whose rare shot was blocked and ball cleared away.

The Iron went a goal up in style when Davis played the ball into Dan Holman. Holman played the ball through the Wrexham defenders legs, into space which was pounced on by Sean Marks. Marks pushed the ball out towards the goalkeeper’s right post, rounding a committed Andy Coughlin and tucking the ball away from an acute angle to hand the home side the lead.

Just before the break, Marks again prevented Holman from extending the lead when he blocked another effort from the frontman, meaning the home side would be just one goal up when the whistle was blown at half time.

Last year’s playoff finalists started the second half better than they finished the first, battling in the Braintree half and looking to create chances. A change in personnel on the hour accommodated a change in formation from the Dragons, facilitting a more attacking stance with three up front. A good chance fell to Joe Anyinsah, who met Brett Ormerod’s chest down with a snap shot that was matched by Nick Hamann. Wrexham’s best chance of the night provoked a response from the Iron, with Barnard Mensah winning possession inside his own half. A surging run down the left wing resulted in Mensah cutting in on his right. David Artell forced Mensah out wide as he ran at the defender, eventually crossing the ball into the goalkeeper’s arms.

Jay Harris found the referee’s book for a wild lunge on Matt Paine as the visitors began to appear frustrated. With 15minutes to play, Coughlin came out to clear, only playing the ball out as far as Bernard Mensah who had time to see the goalkeeper far off of his line. Mensah volleyed left footed towards goal, easily beating a backpedalling Andy Coughlin, but not beating the right post as his shot rebounded to safety.

Mensah managed to pick up the ball on the left minutes after, pulling the ball back to Dan Holman who was just inside the Wrexham box. Holman adjusted his body well to shoot across goal, into Coughlin’s left corner. The outstretched Wrexham keeper could get nowhere near the strike, which doubled the lead for the hosts.

Wrexham looked to respond through their 16 year old substitute, who met a bobbling ball in the box with his head, beating Nick Hamann. However, the woodwork also denied the youngster a dream debut as his head hit the bar.

But the Braintree debutant was to prove more fruitful, when Alex Jakubiak rounded off a fantastic display from the Iron with a great solo effort. Jakubiak cut in from the left, nudged the ball onto his right and struck a curling shot into the right side of the Wrexham net. A fine finish to a fine performance from the Iron wrapped up three points with three goals and no response from the Welsh visitors.

 

Ryan Peters commented after the game that he believes the team has a serious shout at breaking into the top half, and aims for top ten after a fantastic display. On the evening’s performance, Ryan Peters said “We can go to teams now and really dominate games, rather than sit back and hope that we can counter attack. Jakubiak has come in and added another dimension and got a goal on his debut, so it’s going well at the moment.”

Braintree: Hamann, Peters, Habergham, Wells, Massey, Davis (Isaac), Paine, Laurent, Mensah, Marks (Sparkes), Holman (Jakubiak)

Unused Subs: McDonald, Daley

Wrexham: Coughlin, Wright, Ashton, Livesey (Artell), Harris (Reynolds), Ormerod, Keates, Tomassen, Hunt (Ogleby), Anyinsah, Carrington

Unused Subs: Mayebie, Clowes

Referee: Paul Rees

Assistants: Maurice Taylor and Gary Parsons

Fourth Official: Stuart Pawley

Attendance: 697

Braintree Town VS Hereford United Match report 8-3-14

Braintree Town Vs Hereford United match report 8/3/14

Braintree could not make a dominant display count against a Hereford side that were looking for their first point in six games, losing five on the bounce and conceding 16 goals in the process. Hereford will have been pleased to have ended a losing streak which included a 7-0 loss against league leaders Luton, but Braintree can feel slightly hard done by as a barrage of attempts in the second half came to nothing.  A first half strike was quickly cancelled out by Hereford striker Dan Walker, which would be the only goals recorded.

Iron won a free kick 25 yards out within the first six minutes, with Davis setting down the ball for a cross. Holman took the defensive line by surprise when he used the dead ball as an opportunity to shoot, but failed to threaten with an effort that never stopped rising. Minutes later Mulley picked up the ball from a throw deep into the visitors half, and crossed to find Marks just yards from the goal line. Mulley’s delivery flashed across the six yard box and out for a goal kick, with Marks unable to provide the amount of contact needed to turn the ball in.

A long ball into the Iron box saw striker Dan Walker collide with Ryan Peters, tumbling to the ground in search of a penalty. The referee blew for a free kick the other way with no infringement seen and very few appeals to suggest any foul play. Barnard Mensah looked lively early on when he picked up a loose ball on the Iron’s right hand side. He used his pace to outrun the backpedalling defence, then stopping the ball dead inside the box and setting himself up to shoot. Changing feet, Mensah tried a curling effort with his left, which drifted high and wide beyond the goalkeeper’s far post.

Danny Leadbitter saw yellow when he pulled down Bernard Mensah on the left hand side, who was sprinting onto a superbly weighted ball from deep which could have caused problems to the Bulls. Just past the half an hour mark, a corner in from the right hand side found Alan Massey, who side footed to the goalkeepers left hand side. The shot was cleared off the line, but only as far as an on rushing Dan Holman, who put gave Iron the lead by keeping his cool to guide the ball past Lloyd-Weston. However, the lead was short lived when down the other end a rare Hereford attack saw Frankie Artus bearing down on goal. He squared the ball to Dan Walker who was in support on to his right. Walker controlled well, and slotted the ball across goal into Hamann’s bottom right corner to bring the game level where it stayed until half time.

Braintree continued to threaten in the second half, coming close when Luke Daley made a run down the right. His deflected shot went out for a corner, which was sent in by Bernard Mensah. The searching ball could not meet an orange shirt, which was an outcome that was to be replicated by another corner just minutes later.  Poor control by Bulls defender Luke Graham allowed Sean Marks to find himself in space just yards away from the visiting box. Marks was forced away from goal by the bobbling ball, which he played into Mensah. Mensah’s close control set up a chance for Dan Holman, who struck first time across goal, but was way off target to the relief of the visitors.

Alan Massey’s shove on Dan Walker handed the Bull’s a free kick 25 yards from goal. Jamie Edge set his sights on the Braintree goal, placing the ball carefully into position. His shot could not test Hamann, who watched on as the effort glided over the crossbar.

Fifteen minutes from time, Dan Holman turned inside the visitors half, taking a snap shot from thirty yards out, which missed the target with the game looking like it was going to finish all square. Holman was determined not to let that happen, creating another chance minutes later when he played in a fast paced cross from the left wing. The cross trickled just yards in front of the goal line with no Braintree striker in a position to take advantage. A long ball in just seven minutes from time found Bernard Mensah, who struck a rocketing volley at goal with his left. Daniel Lloyd-Weston did well to tip the strike over the bar to keep the scores level at a time of constant pressure from the Iron. However, five minutes of added time was not enough for the home side who struggled to create chances in injury time, with the long ball game proving to be ineffective as both sides exchanged header upon header until the final whistle was blown.

Alan Devonshire saw the positives in the performance more than the result when reflecting after the whistle. “I thought we deserved to win the game. They came to spoil, we’ll take a point and move on.”

A dominant performance against another full time club is a great credit to the players, one that does not go unnoticed to the Iron boss. “I’m delighted with the shift that they have put in since coming back. I’ve got to take one game at a time and see where we’re at. I would have taken eight out of twelve (points) before we came back. We’ll rest up now, raring to go against Wrexham who are another difficult side as well”.

Braintree Town: Hamann, Peters, Habergham, Wells, Massey, Davis, Paine, Mulley (Daley), Mensah, Marks, Holman

Unused Subs: McDonald, Isaac, Sparkes, Moore

Hereford United: Lloyd-Weston, Leadbitter (Brown), Bush, Graham, McDonald, Collins, Edge, Artus, Sharp, Walker, James

Unused subs: Purdie, Smith, Murphy, Evans

 

Referee: Colin Lymer

Assistants: Adrian Piggott and Andrew Tonks

Fourth Official: Andrew Parker

Attendance:  805