IRON 2 Woking 0

[ozbrit]

A great performance by the Braintree team saw IRON take all three points and deservedly so going by the accomplished match commentary by the BBC Essex's Mark Babbidge. It was nice to see our main strike pair of Danny Holman and Sean Marks getting themselves on the score sheet with first half goals.

Bring on Kiddie this Saturday

GoIRONGo!

[braintreeo]

An excellent result but It certainly wasn't a "great performance" workmanlike and gritty yes, all the usual BTFC trademarks but apart from the first twenty minutes Woking owned the ball and spent long periods in Braintree's half of the pitch. Wells and Massey were excellent and kept Woking mainly at arms length and when they did come close the woodwork and bounce of the ball went Braintree's way. My first view of Isaac and thought he did well but clearly needs to play centrally as he is by no means a natural wideman.

995 was a good turnout I would think about 300 from Woking, noticeable the amount of kids there taking advantage of the free season tickets.

Four points from Two games is an excellent start.

[dbbn]

Fair summary by braintreeo, they hit the woodwork twice, but most efforts were from distance. Thought that we could have kept the ball better second half instead of aimlessly lumping it forward. I think they'd settled for 2-0 at half time, I noticed that Daley tucked inside a lot more second half. He also needs to mix up his crosses a bit more, to many drilled in going out for throw ins. Missed Mulley's running from centre mid and Isaacs did well in the left midfield berth.
Kiddie should be a good test on Saturday.

[mooresy25]

Yeah both fair assesments. Thought we probably edged the first half and hit them with a quick double. I always felt we would come out in the second half looking to preserve the lead we had. This duly happened with balls being lumped upfront, basically giving pocession back to the opposition. That said we were working hard as a unit to contain The Cards. Woking had alot of the ball in the second period but lacked the killer instict up front except for one decent strike which crashed against the upright and luckily bounced clear. Thought they looked better when Sole came on but he stupidly got himself sent off. Not a bad passing side Woking, think they'll be ok this year if they get a decent striker. For us, Marksy and Holman led the line well. Was impressed with Chez but agree he's a central midfielder not a wide man. I guess with Mulley out needs must. Deano exceptional at the back as we've all come to expect. Roll on Saturday and a tough game against Kiddie who have always played well at the Amlin.

[ironmansimon]

i thought we did well last night, not a classic but 3 points at home is what its all about. the back 4 were solid and backed each other up well. Think Big Al is getting better and better. luke was very positive running at full backs. Chez is a good accuasition and think when mulley is back i think he will be used just behind kenny. with painey dropping to the bench. boys up front did good job too. both on score sheet will give them confidence. great t see good crowd i think maybe more there on saturday.
All very interesting to see the league table after 2 games. Southport top??? FGR may have 7 good strickers at their disposal but only 1 all away at nuneaton, this means we should fear noone, play positivly attack as we do defend solidly and lets see where we are come may. come on the iron !!

[ad75]

There's been a couple of comments about Chez being in the wrong role out wide, and a suggestion that was our only option.
We had Sparkes sitting on the bench, who is the most naturally wide player that we have in the squad. In fact, I think it's because he plays so wide, in a similar way to the West Ham XI that we played in a Friendly earlier, that he does not really suit Dev's preferred style.
I seem to remember we scored more goals in the first half of last season from his set play assists than any other player. There were also a good number from open play too.
Mulley and Daley both tuck in a lot more, which is clearly what Dev's wants, so why not send the lad out on loan to keep him match fit, and call him back if we need him.

[oranjeboom]

If we'd played a first half of the season all season we'd have been relegated.

[ad75]

Appreciate your comments Oranjeboom. You make a valid point. I tend to agree with you. It was the comments about fitting a central midfielder into a wide role that brought about my train of thought.
Dev's is the Boss and his adjustment to team selection as the season progressed made us a stronger unit, and drove us on the great finish that we had.
The lad Sparkes is clearly not in Dev's first choice 11 anymore, and not really a Braintree style of player, so why not send him out on loan to keep him fit, and only call him back if we have injuries/suspensions. It must help with costs.
He seems a talented lad, but needs to find his right place/level. To come to us having played over 40 Conference Premier Games, captained a Conf North side, and having scored 14 goals in the season prior to joining us, he can't be all bad. He just doesn't seem to be our type of player. It's how it goes sometimes.

[mooresy25]

Daley and Mulley are genuine wingers but have adapted their games so they can tuck in and make the midfield stronger. If Sparkes wants a regular starting birth he'll have to learn to do the same. Although I like him as a player I don't think he's strong enough for that role and this league. Think he'd do a decent job in the Skrill North/South, as he's already proven. Like you say ad75 a loan move may be wise but at present he does add valuble depth to our squad.

[ozbrit]

You have to have 15-16 first team players available in your squad at this level.