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