Post by admin on Aug 16, 2015 6:12:24 GMT
The Braintree and Witham Times has been working overtime after the game. The next three reports are by Simon Spurgeon and from the B&W Times website:
Fry hopes injury may not be as bad as was feared
Matt Fry (pictured in action for Concord Rangers) suffered a nasty-looking knee injury late in their game against Tranmere Rovers.
Braintree Town defender Matt Fry has said he hopes the injury he suffered against Tranmere Rovers may not be as bad as was first feared.
The Iron centre-half went down in a lot of pain towards the end of their 0-0 Vanarama National League draw against Rovers after falling awkwardly on his left knee.
It took several minutes for medics to get his leg stabilised and him on to a stretcher before carrying him off the field and there were fears that it would be a serious injury.
However, Fry himself has since said on his Twitter account that he hoped it may not be a severe one.
"Pretty sore at the moment but hope injury not as bad as first feared," said Fry
"Fingers crossed.
"Very solid today, boys were brilliant.
"Very happy to pick up first points & clean sheet as an iron player.
"Fans were also top class "
Iron boss is pleased to see substance
Braintree Town manager Danny Cowley was pleased to see the resilient side to his team as they picked up their first Vanarama National League point with him as manager.
Tranmere Rovers, who arrived at the Avanti Stadium sitting second in the table after winning both of their opening games, were shut out by an impressive Iron display in a goalless draw.
And while his team failed to capitalise on the good forward play they created in terms of goals, Cowley got what he was after following back-to-back defeats in their opening two outings.
He said: “I just wanted to see a bit more substance in us.
“I always want my teams to represent me as a person.
“I’d like to think that my qualities are hard work, determination and resilience and those are the qualities I wanted my players to show.
“I think we did that.
“We have defended well and they only had two shots – and they’re Tranmere Rovers.
“I’ve watched three of their recent games – against Everton and Shrewsbury in pre-season and Gateshead in the league – and they had very good control in them and created a lot of chances.
“So we’ve done well in that area, but there’s still work to do in terms of our counter-attacking and the fluidity of that.
“We can be a bit cleverer and a bit cuter around that final third because when defences are set up, we can unlock them.
“Those things are work in progress and the cherry on top of the icing, but the good thing against Tranmere was that we showed some substance.”
However, the game was overshadowed by a nasty injury for Braintree defender Matt Fry, who suffered a knee injury late in the game.
Cowley added: “We are worried about Matt Fry – he’s obviously got a serious one and when you have a small squad with limited funds you can’t afford serious injuries.
“So that’s a real concern to us and certainly takes the gloss off what was a good performance.
“You never like to see a player leave on a stretcher and it looked a bad one.
“It looked like he got his standing foot caught in the ground and whenever that happens and you take a big load through it, then you fear the worst.”
The injury looked bad when it first happened, however, the player himself later said on his Twitter account that he hoped it may not be a severe one.
"Pretty sore at the moment but hope injury not as bad as first feared," said Fry
"Fingers crossed."
BRAINTREE TOWN 0 TRANMERE ROVERS 0
Vanarama National League
What looked like a serious knee for Braintree defender Matt Fry overshadowed Braintree Town’s first Vanarama National League point under boss Danny Cowley.
Under any other circumstances, a draw against a Tranmere Rovers side who were operating in the Football League last year would have been a reason to celebrate.
They had opened the season with defeats by Chester and Lincoln and probably looked the better of the two teams at the Avanti Stadium.
However, a nasty-looking injury for Fry cast a cloud over their achievement at the final whistle.
Braintree made two changes to their starting line-up from the one that did for their 3-1 defeat by Lincoln City in midweek.
Matt Paine made his first start of the campaign and Mark Phillips made his full debut, with Mitch Brundle suspended and Michael Cheek dropping to the bench.
It was a bright start from Braintree, just as they made in their previous two games, with crisp passing and movement going forward that troubled the Rovers defence in the opening minutes.
Clear-cut chances weren’t plentiful, but the first real opportunity came in the 11th minute when Braintree broke out from deep defence with Simeon Akinola running at the visitors’ back line.
He pressed the back line towards their own penalty area and waited to lift a shot from just outside the box but could only watch as it went just over the bar.
They had been guilty of not turning early dominance into goals against Lincoln and that was the way that this game panned out after the opening stages.
They had to stay patient, but some impressive energy didn’t allow Tranmere to settle at all and their forward play caused problems throughout the first half.
At the other end, having Paine in front of the Iron’s back four gave a more solid look to their defence and it took until the 43rd minute for Rovers to have a meaningful shot on goal.
That came after some decent build-up play that ended with Jay Harris unleashing a shot that flew wide of the target.
Braintree had started sluggishly in their defeat by Lincoln in midweek after the half-time break and paid the price for it.
So it was more heartening that they began positively this time and it almost their turn to take the lead after the restart when Sam Habergham let fly with a great effort from 30 yards.
Rovers keeper Davies looked beaten, but unfortunately for the hosts, Habergham’s shot just cleared the bar.
Instead, it was the opposition who were the sluggish ones and their fans were getting restless as they were out-battled by the Iron.
However, Rovers’ players responded and began to find their tempo as it was Braintree’s turn to soak up some pressure.
Iron keeper Will Norris stayed largely untroubled, though, and the longer the game went on, the more it looked likely that it would end in a stalemate.
There was late drama as Fry sustained his injury, though.
With five minutes to go, substitute Adam Mekki was racing clear and Fry came across with a fantastic covering tackle, however, he fell awkwardly and went straight down in a lot of pain.
He received medical treatment on the pitch and was stretchered off as the action restarted in time added on.
That saw perhaps the two best chances of the game, though.
Mekki had a great chance but fired straight at Norris and then seconds later, Sean Marks raced clear and caused Davies to make a wonderful stop.
It was the most action either goalkeeper saw all afternoon, though, and the game eventually ended at 0-0.
Braintree Town: Will Norris, Remy Clerima, Sam Habergham, Chez Isaac (Taylor Miles 80), Matt Paine, Matt Fry (Jeremy Walker 91), Kenny Davis, Simeon Akinola, Dan Sparkes (Sean Marks 63), Mark Phillips, Alex Woodyard. Subs not used:, Joe Maybanks, Michael Cheek,. Referee: John Brooks.
Fry hopes injury may not be as bad as was feared
Matt Fry (pictured in action for Concord Rangers) suffered a nasty-looking knee injury late in their game against Tranmere Rovers.
Braintree Town defender Matt Fry has said he hopes the injury he suffered against Tranmere Rovers may not be as bad as was first feared.
The Iron centre-half went down in a lot of pain towards the end of their 0-0 Vanarama National League draw against Rovers after falling awkwardly on his left knee.
It took several minutes for medics to get his leg stabilised and him on to a stretcher before carrying him off the field and there were fears that it would be a serious injury.
However, Fry himself has since said on his Twitter account that he hoped it may not be a severe one.
"Pretty sore at the moment but hope injury not as bad as first feared," said Fry
"Fingers crossed.
"Very solid today, boys were brilliant.
"Very happy to pick up first points & clean sheet as an iron player.
"Fans were also top class "
Iron boss is pleased to see substance
Braintree Town manager Danny Cowley was pleased to see the resilient side to his team as they picked up their first Vanarama National League point with him as manager.
Tranmere Rovers, who arrived at the Avanti Stadium sitting second in the table after winning both of their opening games, were shut out by an impressive Iron display in a goalless draw.
And while his team failed to capitalise on the good forward play they created in terms of goals, Cowley got what he was after following back-to-back defeats in their opening two outings.
He said: “I just wanted to see a bit more substance in us.
“I always want my teams to represent me as a person.
“I’d like to think that my qualities are hard work, determination and resilience and those are the qualities I wanted my players to show.
“I think we did that.
“We have defended well and they only had two shots – and they’re Tranmere Rovers.
“I’ve watched three of their recent games – against Everton and Shrewsbury in pre-season and Gateshead in the league – and they had very good control in them and created a lot of chances.
“So we’ve done well in that area, but there’s still work to do in terms of our counter-attacking and the fluidity of that.
“We can be a bit cleverer and a bit cuter around that final third because when defences are set up, we can unlock them.
“Those things are work in progress and the cherry on top of the icing, but the good thing against Tranmere was that we showed some substance.”
However, the game was overshadowed by a nasty injury for Braintree defender Matt Fry, who suffered a knee injury late in the game.
Cowley added: “We are worried about Matt Fry – he’s obviously got a serious one and when you have a small squad with limited funds you can’t afford serious injuries.
“So that’s a real concern to us and certainly takes the gloss off what was a good performance.
“You never like to see a player leave on a stretcher and it looked a bad one.
“It looked like he got his standing foot caught in the ground and whenever that happens and you take a big load through it, then you fear the worst.”
The injury looked bad when it first happened, however, the player himself later said on his Twitter account that he hoped it may not be a severe one.
"Pretty sore at the moment but hope injury not as bad as first feared," said Fry
"Fingers crossed."
BRAINTREE TOWN 0 TRANMERE ROVERS 0
Vanarama National League
What looked like a serious knee for Braintree defender Matt Fry overshadowed Braintree Town’s first Vanarama National League point under boss Danny Cowley.
Under any other circumstances, a draw against a Tranmere Rovers side who were operating in the Football League last year would have been a reason to celebrate.
They had opened the season with defeats by Chester and Lincoln and probably looked the better of the two teams at the Avanti Stadium.
However, a nasty-looking injury for Fry cast a cloud over their achievement at the final whistle.
Braintree made two changes to their starting line-up from the one that did for their 3-1 defeat by Lincoln City in midweek.
Matt Paine made his first start of the campaign and Mark Phillips made his full debut, with Mitch Brundle suspended and Michael Cheek dropping to the bench.
It was a bright start from Braintree, just as they made in their previous two games, with crisp passing and movement going forward that troubled the Rovers defence in the opening minutes.
Clear-cut chances weren’t plentiful, but the first real opportunity came in the 11th minute when Braintree broke out from deep defence with Simeon Akinola running at the visitors’ back line.
He pressed the back line towards their own penalty area and waited to lift a shot from just outside the box but could only watch as it went just over the bar.
They had been guilty of not turning early dominance into goals against Lincoln and that was the way that this game panned out after the opening stages.
They had to stay patient, but some impressive energy didn’t allow Tranmere to settle at all and their forward play caused problems throughout the first half.
At the other end, having Paine in front of the Iron’s back four gave a more solid look to their defence and it took until the 43rd minute for Rovers to have a meaningful shot on goal.
That came after some decent build-up play that ended with Jay Harris unleashing a shot that flew wide of the target.
Braintree had started sluggishly in their defeat by Lincoln in midweek after the half-time break and paid the price for it.
So it was more heartening that they began positively this time and it almost their turn to take the lead after the restart when Sam Habergham let fly with a great effort from 30 yards.
Rovers keeper Davies looked beaten, but unfortunately for the hosts, Habergham’s shot just cleared the bar.
Instead, it was the opposition who were the sluggish ones and their fans were getting restless as they were out-battled by the Iron.
However, Rovers’ players responded and began to find their tempo as it was Braintree’s turn to soak up some pressure.
Iron keeper Will Norris stayed largely untroubled, though, and the longer the game went on, the more it looked likely that it would end in a stalemate.
There was late drama as Fry sustained his injury, though.
With five minutes to go, substitute Adam Mekki was racing clear and Fry came across with a fantastic covering tackle, however, he fell awkwardly and went straight down in a lot of pain.
He received medical treatment on the pitch and was stretchered off as the action restarted in time added on.
That saw perhaps the two best chances of the game, though.
Mekki had a great chance but fired straight at Norris and then seconds later, Sean Marks raced clear and caused Davies to make a wonderful stop.
It was the most action either goalkeeper saw all afternoon, though, and the game eventually ended at 0-0.
Braintree Town: Will Norris, Remy Clerima, Sam Habergham, Chez Isaac (Taylor Miles 80), Matt Paine, Matt Fry (Jeremy Walker 91), Kenny Davis, Simeon Akinola, Dan Sparkes (Sean Marks 63), Mark Phillips, Alex Woodyard. Subs not used:, Joe Maybanks, Michael Cheek,. Referee: John Brooks.