IRON 2 Woking 1

[admin]

Simeon Akinola puts Braintree ahead on 62 mins. Woking reply 5 mins later.
Braintree grab their second via Michael Cheek on 74mins.
Another great result for Iron and up to 5th place.

[mooresy25]

Someone tell Babbage we have Guiseley on Sat not Eastleigh!

[dbbn]

A turgid first half as cautious Cowley started with Cheek up front on his own. A long range effort from Miles hit the bar whilst Woking also hit the bar with a cross-cum-shot. Woking moved the ball about very quickly often changing flanks to work an opening, but all crosses were repelled by a disciplined Iron rearguard. Habergham stood up to his task really well with some great tackles. Norris was guilty of thumping to many goal kicks out of play.
Second half was a different game altogether as Braintree reverted to 4-4-2 from the off with Miles & Habergham making way for Sparkes and loanee debutant O'Shaughnessy. A high paced game followed on the slick wet surface with Woking looking dangerous on the counter. With Akinola up front alongside Cheek; we now had a threatening partnership which had the Woking back line struggling to keep pace.
The opening goal came from a superb solo effort from Sim as he burst through the centre of the pitch evading desperate lunges before drawing the 'keeper to nudge home into the corner. Woking immediately came back and were soon level from a corner as an unmarked player was allowed to run free and head home powerfully.
The balance of the game then swung back to the Iron; this time Cheek latching on to a through ball down the centre, out muscling and outpacing his marker, rounding the 'keeper and slotting into an unguarded net.
Woking tried to rally again but now Braintree threatened on the counter and twice Sim was crudely chopped down bringing yellow cards for the outsmarted culprits. A third foul on Sim close to the 18 yard box saw Sim strike at goal and the ball fell to an unmarked Marks who slid home from close range, only to see his effort ruled out for offside.
5 minutes additional time was played out and a well earned 3 points in the bag, up to fifth and passing Woking on the way.

[rustynail]

Excellent report dbbn.
I though that Woking are probably the toughest side we have played this season with their fitness and good passing.
They took a lot of breaking down. Our defence was worked hard and Norris pulled off a couple of good saves.
Both of our goals were very similar with the ball coming through the middle and tenacious and persistent attacking by both scorers.
So with twelve games gone we are now fifth Danny Cowley has really risen to his new challenge the players look like they are really enjoying playing for him.
Onwards and upwards!

[ironmansimon]

Can't beat getting your picture on the opponents Twitter feed for the winning goal!

[underdog]

First visit to cressing road and really enjoyed the whole experience, nice little ground with good views from the main stand nice bar and decent food from burger van.

On the football side 1st half I thought Woking were very good and were looking dangerous! Taylor miles had a couple of very good efforts, the free kick he scored a couple exactly like that last year! Once Braintree closed Woking down which started happening near the end of the first half I thought the tide was starting to turn.

Cowley spotted that he needed to change tactics and got it spot on! Braintree full value for their win based on the 2nd half! Solid at the back high energy pressing off the ball and with cheek linking with akinola had a dangerous threat! Cowley looks like he has stamped his authority and mark on your team like he left at concord! Really happy that he has had such a good start proving how good a manager he is and glad he is giving you as a club a good start to the season!

Definatly won't be my last visit to cressing road this season where I'll be able to watch when concord don't have a game.

[MrOrange]

Gutted I missed the game last night due to work, great result and thanks for the excellent report dbbn. The Cowleys are working wonders, well done the board for signing them up COYI

[ad75]

Agree with the comments so far.

I'd say that Woking are the best team I have seen this season. They have pace, strength, and were good athletes, as opposed to some of the Power Players (like Rugby Players) that you often see in this league.
We did very well to contain them, and pleased that there one good chance was squandered.
I saw the Management Team make some tactical changes in the first half, which meant that we slowly began to nullify their threat, and gradually get a foothold in to the game.
I was surprised by the substitutions at Half Time. Sam must have been injured, because he was awesome against their dangerous wide man. Taylor Miles also had a very good half, but I bow to the superior knowledge that Danny & Nicky are showing.
They changed the line up and the tactics.
From that point on, we were the better side, and whilst Woking were still a strong outfit, and still dangerous, we were putting them under a lot of pressure, and in the end deserved our victory.
It was an outstanding performance across the board, both on the pitch, and in the technical area.
It was a shame that Sean's goal at the end didn't count, as it would have been the icing on the cake. Simeon's free kick was badly scuffed, but credit to Sean for jumping on the chance, even if it didn't count in the end.
Overall, very impressed, and they all deserved their round of applause as they left the pitch.

[1672]

Brilliant and exciting game, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Only comments I'd make is that we are still failing to convert clear goal-scoring opportunities. At least three went begging last night. Simeon twice spent too long in front of goal, trying to shuffle the ball around to a better position, until the defence blocked him. He needs to try some instinctive shots at goal. We had difficulty getting possession in the first half, as Woking looked far fitter with at least one, often two, of their players outpacing us to most loose balls.

Nice report from the Woking manager here:

www.wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/5168/cards-run-out-of-steam-against-the-iron/?

[dbbn]

Interesting that they think Sim is a "burly" striker.

[brion]

Thought report from Working News spot on
Sending this thread as bored watching North London derby
Saw much better game last night

[rustynail]

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03379cs

Danny Cowley on BBC Essex. I liked the way he explains how he targeted the heart of the Woking defence after watching their game against Cheltenham. He has put in some hard work and study to achieve this current run of success.

[ozbrit]

We should have no complaints. It's obvious the MT are thinkers and at a considerably more intellectual level than we've seen in recent times.

[Iron Webbo]

Amen to that!

[Braintree TV]

Highlights from Tuesday match plus interviews can be seen on www.braintree-tv.com/player.php?v=25-09-15