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

Braintree Town vs Cambridge United 25-02-14 Match report

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 2^nd 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

 

 

FC Halifax Town away match preview 22-02-14

Iron look forward to taking on promotion chasing FC Halifax Town on Tuesday night, after having again succumbed to a waterlogged pitch on Saturday following heavy downpours at the back end of last week.

Halifax sit just two points off of the playoffs going into this fixture in a scrambled league table displaying sides that have played anywhere between 25 and 34 games. The two extremes meet in this fixture, where Braintree’s lack of action has seen them fall to 18^th place, ten points and nine games behind Halifax who have propelled themselves to eighth. With plenty of chance to make up the ground in the second half of the season, Iron look to get back into action this week and begin what will now be a busy few remaining months of fixtures.

The Shaymen will be glad to play this game at home, seeing a vast difference in terms of results at home and away so far this season. Halifax have won 12 from 17 at home this term, losing just once which has saved them when looking at their away form. The side have almost completely undone this good work whilst on the road, where they have lost 11 from 17, winning just once. The Jekyll and Hyde nature of the team this year has led to very varied form throughout, true also this month which has produced three points so far for Neil Aspin’s side. A 5-1 victory at the Shay over Salisbury has produced the only points of their three games which have also resulted in losses against Chester and Lincoln City.

Since the clubs formation in 2008 which followed the liquidation of their predecessors, Halifax have met Braintree just once, resulting in a 1-0 win at the Amlin stadium this year for the Iron. Kenny Davis scored from the spot to earn all three points in November for his side.

New loan signing Josh Clarke will be hoping to make his debut for Braintree on Tuesday evening, having joined the side on a one month’s loan from Brentford last week. The winger has featured for the first team of his parent club in the Capital One cup against Derby County, and again against Peterborough United in the Johnston’s paint trophy since signing a full time contract this season. However, he will be looking to add some first team experience after seeing a lack of opportunity for Brentford, and comes in to bolster the squad ahead of a busy fixture list going forward.

Admission prices for the game are as follows: Adults £17, Concessions £13, 16 and Under £8, Under 12’s £6 Under 7’s £3.

Directions to the ground: Take the M62 exiting at junction 24, follow signs for A629 Halifax into Skircoat Road, then onto Shaw hill where you will find the ground. There are a number of car-parking spaces available for hire during the week. With the Shay being just a short walk from the Town Centre and car-parking in the centre of Halifax at a premium, the Shay can offer an ideal solution.

 

Forest Green Rovers (Away) Match Preview 11-02-2014

Braintree Town’s midweek fixture involves a trip to Gloucestershire to take on the longest serving members of the Conference Premier, Forest Green Rovers. After booking a place in the Essex Senior cup final last Tuesday for the first time since 1997, more poor weather has seen another game at the Amlin postponed this weekend. Midweek fixtures will now be a regular feature for Iron, who have up to eight games in hand over some of the competition.

The lack of league action has seen Iron slip to seventeenth place, three places behind their hosts on Tuesday. However, a win would see Devonshire’s side leapfrog Forest Green Rovers, who are just two points better off going into the fixture. A mix of bad weather and floodlight problems has seen Rovers have a similarly disrupted start to the year. However, in the three games that have been played to the final whistle, Rovers are unbeaten, picking up seven points and scoring ten goals in the process. A 1-1 draw with rivals Hereford was followed up with a spectacular 6-2 away demolition of bottom of the table Hyde, and a 3-0 victory over Chester FC.

The reverse fixture this season ended in a stalemate, when James Norward’s early lead for the visitors was levelled with a Kenny Davis penalty. The sides have been very even overall in recent years also. Last season was one for the home sides, where Iron enjoyed a 3-1 win through goals from Marks, Daley and another Davis penalty. However the reverse fixture saw Rovers go one better to win the game 4-1 at the New Lawn, meaning it was three points a piece from these two games. A similar outcome was reached the season prior, but this time it was the away side that prospered. Braintree were first to be successful on the road, winning by two goals and keeping a clean sheet. It was a different story at the Amlin where a ten man Iron conceded five, with just a Sean Marks consolation to show from the day.

Tickets can be bought prior to the game from the Forest Green Rovers website, at £14 for adults, £10 for seniors, £7 for young adults and £4 for juniors. The website allows tickets to be purchased and printed at home. Club address: The New Lawn, Another way, Nailsworth GL6 0FG. Please use postcode GL6 0ET for Sat Nav’s directions to the stadium.

AFC Hornchurch Vs Braintree Town Essex Senior Cup Semi Final report 4-2-14

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