Saturday, 14 December 2013

Braintree Town Vs Lincoln City FA Trophy Match report - 14/12/2013

It was Lincoln who went through to the next round in the FA Trophy in a game that could have gone either way with both sides creating winning opportunities throughout the game. The Imps ran out 3-1 winners, scoring twice in the last five minutes to take the £6,000 prize money and seal their place in the third round.

Lincoln had the initial chance as Newton tore down the left hand side sending an inviting ball across the Irons 6 yard line, which was blazed over the crossbar. An immediate response by Braintree saw a loose ball picked up and played in nicely to Davis whose shot was scooped up by the Lincoln goalkeeper.

Sheridan and Newton linked up well for the visitors in the first 10 minutes, causing problems down the Braintree right hand side, but their efforts could not find a player in a green shirt in the box. As the teams tussled early on, Peters throw into Holman deep into the Lincoln half looked to provide the Iron with another chance, but the resulting shot was charged down to ensure that the scores remained level.

It was Braintree that would take the lead when Wells lofted in a free kick from within his own half on 21 minutes, which was nodded down by Marks. Holman won at the second header to pile pressure on the visitors, who were unable to deal with the advance. Sean Marks made the most of the opportunity to put the home side ahead, giving the Iron a 1-0 lead.

Lincoln looked to have equalised just five minutes later when Chris Sharp found the back of the net from Newton’s ball in. However, the flag had been raised and offside was given which brought a halt to the travelling fan’s celebrations.

A chance for the Iron was cleared off of the line with half time looming as Isaac set up a cross for Holman. The resulting corner was played in and bobbled wide. Dixon was noted in the referee’s book just before half time for persistent fouling.

Tom Miller continually caused problems for the Irons in the second half, stepping up for every throw which he looped into the danger zone. The Braintree lead fell when Sharp met Newton’s long ball from inside his own half to level the scoring on the hour mark.

Sheridan saw yellow for the visitors at the same time as Isaac was noted in the book for the home side, which may have prompted Alan Devonshire to change things with a double substitution. Geohaghon stepped onto the field for Chez Isaac, whilst James Mulley replaced Dan Sparkes.

Mulley’s run down the right hand side allowed him to cross; an effort which was spilled by the visiting goalkeeper who reacted quickly to clear up, preventing a chance for the Iron. Marks linked up well with Habergham, whose shot was met by an outstretched Paul Farman.

Braintree made their final change of the game with Kenny Davis making way for Jordan Cox. Cox almost changed things straight away as he met a long throw into the box for the Iron, but his attempt drifted over the bar, a chance that would have seen Braintree regain the lead at this stage.

Nick Wright replaced a struggling Marlon Jackson who had gone down with cramp as Braintree continued to apply pressure. However, it was the away side who then took the lead at the death as one of Tom Miller’s throws that had been causing problems for the Iron all afternoon met the head of Luke Foster.

The visiting side sealed their place in the next round as Sharp found himself through one on one with the goalkeeper. Nick Hamann dealt with the oncoming attacker, but could only clear as far as Jake Sheridan. Sheridan’s attempt rattled the woodwork, but an unfortunate touch off of the goalkeeper put the ball into the back of the net, with the game finishing 3-1.

Attendance 410

Braintree – Hamann, Peters, Habergham, Massey, Wells, Isaac (Geohaghon), Paine, Davis (Cox), Sparkes (Mulley), Marks, Holman

Unused Subs: McDonald, Daley

Lincoln City – Farman, Miller (Rowe), Newton, Jordan, Fofana, Sheridan, Dixon, Jackson (Wright), Brown, Sharp, Foster.

Unused Subs: Fairhurst, Ward, Preece

Referee: Richard Martin

Assistants: Rob Smith and Nic Evans


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