Post by Iron Webbo on Dec 10, 2014 6:16:59 GMT
SUDBURY TO VISIT IN THE TROPHY
Can Suffolk club continue their giant-killing run?
Braintree Town start their involvement in this season's FA Trophy competition with a First Round tie at home to Ryman League Division One (North) side AFC Sudbury on Saturday. While all Vanarama Conference clubs enter the competition at this stage, our visitors have battled their way through six matches from the Preliminary Round and three Qualifying rounds. The Suffolk club have been consistently unlucky with the Trophy draws so far this season, with Saturday's First Round tie belong their fifth successive away pairing!
Progress to the competition proper started with a 3-1 Preliminary Round win at Ryman League Division One (South) side Whitstable Town in mid-October. This was followed by a creditable 2-2 draw at Ryman League Premier Division side Bognor Regis Town, in the First Qualifying Round, before their first giant-killing in this competition was completed with a 2-1 home replay win in early-November. The Second Qualifying Round sent the Kingsmarsh club to another Ryman League Premier Division side - this time championship-favourites Maidstone United in mid-November. Sudbury produced the shock result of the round winning 2-0 on the plastic pitch.
The Third Qualifying Round saw them again drawn away to a step 3 side chasing promotion to the Conference - this time Southern League Premier Division promotion hopefuls St. Neots Town at the end of November. An equaliser in the third minute of time added on saw the home side deny Sudbury another notable victory. But the Suffolk club completed the job 1-0 in the replay with a twenty-five yard drive from Lawrence Yiga securing a third successive giant-killing and a seventh game in the FA Trophy. Their progress in the competition has been as follows:
Preliminary Round, away v. Whitstable Town, won 3-1
First Qualifying Round, away v. Bognor Regis Town, drew 2-2
First Qualifying Round replay, home v. Bognor Regis Town, won 2-1
Second Qualifying Round, away v. Maidstone United, won 2-0
Third Qualifying Round, away v. St. Neots Town, drew 1-1
Third Qualifying Round replay, home v. St. Neots Town, won 1-0
Since earning promotion to non-League football's top flight, Iron's record in the FA Trophy has been disappointing with only two wins in six matches.
In 2011-12, Braintree won 1-0 at Gosport Borough in the First Round before going out at home in a penalty shoot out to Gateshead in a Second Round Replay at Cressing Road. The dreaded spot kicks were needed following a 2-2 draw in the North East and a 1-1 draw (after extra time) in the replay. Season 2012-13 saw Iron the victims of an embarrassing giant-killing as they went down by the odd goal in three at home to Conference South side Havant & Waterlooville. Last season was little better. Despite beating Welling United 3-0 at home in the First Round, Braintree were then well beaten 3-1 by Lincoln City at Cressing Road in Round Two.
This match has been designated as a category 'C' fixture with reduced admission charges in place for the third time in Braintree's last four matches at the Miles Smith Stadium. No segregation will be in place and entry will be all pay at the turnstile on the day.
Can Suffolk club continue their giant-killing run?
Braintree Town start their involvement in this season's FA Trophy competition with a First Round tie at home to Ryman League Division One (North) side AFC Sudbury on Saturday. While all Vanarama Conference clubs enter the competition at this stage, our visitors have battled their way through six matches from the Preliminary Round and three Qualifying rounds. The Suffolk club have been consistently unlucky with the Trophy draws so far this season, with Saturday's First Round tie belong their fifth successive away pairing!
Progress to the competition proper started with a 3-1 Preliminary Round win at Ryman League Division One (South) side Whitstable Town in mid-October. This was followed by a creditable 2-2 draw at Ryman League Premier Division side Bognor Regis Town, in the First Qualifying Round, before their first giant-killing in this competition was completed with a 2-1 home replay win in early-November. The Second Qualifying Round sent the Kingsmarsh club to another Ryman League Premier Division side - this time championship-favourites Maidstone United in mid-November. Sudbury produced the shock result of the round winning 2-0 on the plastic pitch.
The Third Qualifying Round saw them again drawn away to a step 3 side chasing promotion to the Conference - this time Southern League Premier Division promotion hopefuls St. Neots Town at the end of November. An equaliser in the third minute of time added on saw the home side deny Sudbury another notable victory. But the Suffolk club completed the job 1-0 in the replay with a twenty-five yard drive from Lawrence Yiga securing a third successive giant-killing and a seventh game in the FA Trophy. Their progress in the competition has been as follows:
Preliminary Round, away v. Whitstable Town, won 3-1
First Qualifying Round, away v. Bognor Regis Town, drew 2-2
First Qualifying Round replay, home v. Bognor Regis Town, won 2-1
Second Qualifying Round, away v. Maidstone United, won 2-0
Third Qualifying Round, away v. St. Neots Town, drew 1-1
Third Qualifying Round replay, home v. St. Neots Town, won 1-0
Since earning promotion to non-League football's top flight, Iron's record in the FA Trophy has been disappointing with only two wins in six matches.
In 2011-12, Braintree won 1-0 at Gosport Borough in the First Round before going out at home in a penalty shoot out to Gateshead in a Second Round Replay at Cressing Road. The dreaded spot kicks were needed following a 2-2 draw in the North East and a 1-1 draw (after extra time) in the replay. Season 2012-13 saw Iron the victims of an embarrassing giant-killing as they went down by the odd goal in three at home to Conference South side Havant & Waterlooville. Last season was little better. Despite beating Welling United 3-0 at home in the First Round, Braintree were then well beaten 3-1 by Lincoln City at Cressing Road in Round Two.
This match has been designated as a category 'C' fixture with reduced admission charges in place for the third time in Braintree's last four matches at the Miles Smith Stadium. No segregation will be in place and entry will be all pay at the turnstile on the day.