Post by admin on May 1, 2016 3:36:57 GMT
From the Essex Chronicle website.
Braintree Town 3-0 Altrincham REPORT: Iron finish third to set up Grimsby Town play-off clash
By Alasdair Gold
CHEEKY DOUBLE: Michael Cheek netted twice for the Iron
Braintree Town will take their place in the Vanarama National League play-offs and host Grimsby Town after a brilliant victory against Altrincham, who were relegated at the final whistle.
The details
Despite failing to knock in an early chance, Michael Cheek soon showed why he's taken the step up a level with ease this season with two close range finishes. One on 17 minutes saw him smash in after a scuffed shot from the impressive Simeon Akinola rolled towards him at the back post.
His second, just before the break, was more difficult, half-volleying into the net from a Mitch Brundle low cross past Altrincham goalkeeper Adam Griffin.
Simeon Akinola and Brundle both had chances early in the second half, but neither could force the ball home.
Both played their part in the third goal on 66 minutes. Cheek held the ball up superbly before releasing Akinola. He jinked into the left side of the box before pulling the ball back for Brundle to slam home from close range.
With results going their way elsewhere Braintree finished third and will travel to Grimsby on Thursday, with the home leg at the Avanti Stadium on Sunday.
The changes
Only one change for Danny Cowley's men as Matt Paine came in for Taylor Miles. Chez Isaac failed a late fitness test.
The teams
Braintree Town: King, Long, Phillips, Fry, Habergham, Brundle, Paine, Davis (Miles 80), Woodyard, Akinola (Sparkes 82), Cheek (Marks 66). Subs not used: Cardwell, Clerima.
Altrincham: Griffin, Moult, Havern, Leather, Lawrie (Richman 53), Rankine, Reeves, Ginnelly, Deasy, Sinnott, Holness. Subs not used: Heathcote, O'Keefe, Williams, Savill.
The referee
Ollie Yates (Newcastle). The referee had come a long way for the game and wasn't exactly card happy, Altrincham's Michael Rankine probably deserving off a couple of yellow cards rather than the one he eventually ended up with.
Ex-Southend, Brentford and Millwall star: 'Braintree duo better than some Football League managers'
By Alasdair Gold
OVER THE MOON: Braintree Town defender Mark Phillips
Mark Phillips spent almost two decades in the professional game, but believes that Braintree Town boss Danny Cowley and his assistant and brother Nicky are better than some of the managers he had during those years in the Football League.
After celebrating on the pitch following the Iron's brilliant third place finish in the Vanarama National League, following the 3-0 defeat of Altrincham in front of the BT Sport cameras, the 33-year-old defender was quick to praise the talented duo.
He has won the League Two title with Brentford and turned out for the likes of Millwall, AFC Wimbledon and Southend United, but the defender rates the Cowley siblings right up there among those who he's played for.
With a play-off double header against Grimsby on Thursday (away) and Sunday (home) separating the Iron from a trip to Wembley and a potential place in the Football League, Phillips says the team will be ready.
"It's my first year in non-league and I've been 17 years in the professional game. This management team know their stuff," he said.
"They do their homework. They're just as good as any league manager I've had if not better than some of the ones I've had.
"They know what they're doing and they'll prepare us right. They're not as stupid as they claim. We'll go into the game fully prepared and then it'll be down to us on the day."
On the club finishing behind only Cheltenham Town and Forest Green Rovers in the league and ahead of massive clubs like Tranmere Rovers and Wrexham, the defender gave a big smile before saying: "It's an amazing achievement for such a small club. It's a great, tight-knit set of players and we're over the moon. Over the course of the season the league doesn't lie and we deserve to be third."
When asked whether how the players had kept so calm under the pressure to secure their first ever spot in the play-offs, he replied: "Pressure. What's pressure? It's just a game of football. We're all just guys who love our football and want to show people what we can do. We go out there to win and that's how we see it. There's no pressure. If you can't deal with pressure then don't be a professional footballer.
"Altrincham are obviously down there struggling. I know what it's like when you're down there and there's a lack of confidence. To be honest though what you saw today was how we've been all season. We haven't just turned up for the cameras. That's how we've played week in, week out and we've probably not got the plaudits we deserve for that."
Braintree will now have to decide whether they will make the trip to the Mariners on Thursday looking to shut up shop and take a tight game back to the Avanti Stadium or go on the attack from the first whistle.
"Training this week will be all about how we play up there. We take every step at a time. We got this game out of the way and now we focus on Thursday," said Phillips.
"It probably helps to have another day if you look at it in a psychological and physiological perspective. But if you look in our changing room and see some of the challenges we've overcome that we've had thrown at us this season, it really doesn't bother us.
"We'll deal with whatever comes and that's why we're such a close knit group. Just look at what's happened to us all season. We've had the odds against us all season and look what we've done."
A massive crowd of 1,803 turned up at Braintree to roar the team on for Saturday's game and the Iron defender is looking for an even bigger one in eight days' time.
"We've got to be looking to get even more down here on Sunday," he said. "We're setting records on the pitch so why not set them off it as well? It 100 per cent makes a difference to have that noise behind you. It's the 12th man. The support is not the biggest, but when they turn up they certainly make that difference."
Alex Woodyard: 'We're just little old Braintree Town trying to get into Sky Bet League Two'
MIRACLE MAN: Braintree Town midfielder Alex Woodyard (Photo by Alan Stuckey)
The reality was still sinking in with Braintree Town's talented midfielder Alex Woodyard – his team is two play-off games from Wembley and a potential promotion to Sky Bet League Two.
The 22-year-old England C international was superb in Saturday's 3-0 victory against Altrincham in front of the BT Sport cameras at the Avanti Stadium. With the Iron needing just a point to get in the play-offs, so many results went their way that they ended up leaping up the Vanarama National League table to finish third.
Speaking to the Chronicle after the game by the side of the pitch, Woodyard was still in shock over what the team had achieved.
"It was pretty mental really," he said. "Little Braintree Town third in the league. It's massive. You've only got to look at the teams we've finished above like Tranmere. It's a miracle really.
"I thought we were excellent today. We were direct, broke the play up and got the ball forward. I think for a while it was the best we've played in some time. Going into the play-offs you couldn't have asked for us to be in better form either.
"We beat Grimsby, we went to Gateshead and beat them and went to Wrexham and did the same. Today we've won 3-0 and it's massive. We won't get ahead of ourselves. We're still Braintree Town at the end of the day and it's a miracle to get in the play-offs and anything else is even more amazing."
The Iron will now travel to take on Grimsby on Thursday followed by the return leg back at the Avanti Stadium on Sunday, with a spot at Wembley up for grabs.
Former Southend United midfielder Woodyard felt his team coped with the pressure of the televised final game so well that they won't be fearful of what lies ahead next.
"I think in front of the cameras we were excellent. Michael Cheek up top was brilliant, so was Simeon Akinola. We really looked a threat," he said.
"Three goals and we kept a good clean sheet. We got to Grimsby on Thursday and we'll take it from there.
"We're just little old Braintree Town trying to get into League Two at the end of the day. We're just two games from Wembley. If you'd have said this at the start of the season we'd have all laughed at you. The main thing was to stay in this league, but to finish third in it, it's pretty amazing."
Woodyard also had praise for the 1,803 supporters that flocked to the Avanti Stadium and said they played their part in the victory.
"The fans came out in force today. The players saw that as a big benefit to us," he admitted. "They were loud, like they have been all season, but there were extra people here today and with the cameras a lot of teams would have gone under, but we used it as a positive for us."
Braintree Town 3-0 Altrincham REPORT: Iron finish third to set up Grimsby Town play-off clash
By Alasdair Gold
CHEEKY DOUBLE: Michael Cheek netted twice for the Iron
Braintree Town will take their place in the Vanarama National League play-offs and host Grimsby Town after a brilliant victory against Altrincham, who were relegated at the final whistle.
The details
Despite failing to knock in an early chance, Michael Cheek soon showed why he's taken the step up a level with ease this season with two close range finishes. One on 17 minutes saw him smash in after a scuffed shot from the impressive Simeon Akinola rolled towards him at the back post.
His second, just before the break, was more difficult, half-volleying into the net from a Mitch Brundle low cross past Altrincham goalkeeper Adam Griffin.
Simeon Akinola and Brundle both had chances early in the second half, but neither could force the ball home.
Both played their part in the third goal on 66 minutes. Cheek held the ball up superbly before releasing Akinola. He jinked into the left side of the box before pulling the ball back for Brundle to slam home from close range.
With results going their way elsewhere Braintree finished third and will travel to Grimsby on Thursday, with the home leg at the Avanti Stadium on Sunday.
The changes
Only one change for Danny Cowley's men as Matt Paine came in for Taylor Miles. Chez Isaac failed a late fitness test.
The teams
Braintree Town: King, Long, Phillips, Fry, Habergham, Brundle, Paine, Davis (Miles 80), Woodyard, Akinola (Sparkes 82), Cheek (Marks 66). Subs not used: Cardwell, Clerima.
Altrincham: Griffin, Moult, Havern, Leather, Lawrie (Richman 53), Rankine, Reeves, Ginnelly, Deasy, Sinnott, Holness. Subs not used: Heathcote, O'Keefe, Williams, Savill.
The referee
Ollie Yates (Newcastle). The referee had come a long way for the game and wasn't exactly card happy, Altrincham's Michael Rankine probably deserving off a couple of yellow cards rather than the one he eventually ended up with.
Ex-Southend, Brentford and Millwall star: 'Braintree duo better than some Football League managers'
By Alasdair Gold
OVER THE MOON: Braintree Town defender Mark Phillips
Mark Phillips spent almost two decades in the professional game, but believes that Braintree Town boss Danny Cowley and his assistant and brother Nicky are better than some of the managers he had during those years in the Football League.
After celebrating on the pitch following the Iron's brilliant third place finish in the Vanarama National League, following the 3-0 defeat of Altrincham in front of the BT Sport cameras, the 33-year-old defender was quick to praise the talented duo.
He has won the League Two title with Brentford and turned out for the likes of Millwall, AFC Wimbledon and Southend United, but the defender rates the Cowley siblings right up there among those who he's played for.
With a play-off double header against Grimsby on Thursday (away) and Sunday (home) separating the Iron from a trip to Wembley and a potential place in the Football League, Phillips says the team will be ready.
"It's my first year in non-league and I've been 17 years in the professional game. This management team know their stuff," he said.
"They do their homework. They're just as good as any league manager I've had if not better than some of the ones I've had.
"They know what they're doing and they'll prepare us right. They're not as stupid as they claim. We'll go into the game fully prepared and then it'll be down to us on the day."
On the club finishing behind only Cheltenham Town and Forest Green Rovers in the league and ahead of massive clubs like Tranmere Rovers and Wrexham, the defender gave a big smile before saying: "It's an amazing achievement for such a small club. It's a great, tight-knit set of players and we're over the moon. Over the course of the season the league doesn't lie and we deserve to be third."
When asked whether how the players had kept so calm under the pressure to secure their first ever spot in the play-offs, he replied: "Pressure. What's pressure? It's just a game of football. We're all just guys who love our football and want to show people what we can do. We go out there to win and that's how we see it. There's no pressure. If you can't deal with pressure then don't be a professional footballer.
"Altrincham are obviously down there struggling. I know what it's like when you're down there and there's a lack of confidence. To be honest though what you saw today was how we've been all season. We haven't just turned up for the cameras. That's how we've played week in, week out and we've probably not got the plaudits we deserve for that."
Braintree will now have to decide whether they will make the trip to the Mariners on Thursday looking to shut up shop and take a tight game back to the Avanti Stadium or go on the attack from the first whistle.
"Training this week will be all about how we play up there. We take every step at a time. We got this game out of the way and now we focus on Thursday," said Phillips.
"It probably helps to have another day if you look at it in a psychological and physiological perspective. But if you look in our changing room and see some of the challenges we've overcome that we've had thrown at us this season, it really doesn't bother us.
"We'll deal with whatever comes and that's why we're such a close knit group. Just look at what's happened to us all season. We've had the odds against us all season and look what we've done."
A massive crowd of 1,803 turned up at Braintree to roar the team on for Saturday's game and the Iron defender is looking for an even bigger one in eight days' time.
"We've got to be looking to get even more down here on Sunday," he said. "We're setting records on the pitch so why not set them off it as well? It 100 per cent makes a difference to have that noise behind you. It's the 12th man. The support is not the biggest, but when they turn up they certainly make that difference."
Alex Woodyard: 'We're just little old Braintree Town trying to get into Sky Bet League Two'
MIRACLE MAN: Braintree Town midfielder Alex Woodyard (Photo by Alan Stuckey)
The reality was still sinking in with Braintree Town's talented midfielder Alex Woodyard – his team is two play-off games from Wembley and a potential promotion to Sky Bet League Two.
The 22-year-old England C international was superb in Saturday's 3-0 victory against Altrincham in front of the BT Sport cameras at the Avanti Stadium. With the Iron needing just a point to get in the play-offs, so many results went their way that they ended up leaping up the Vanarama National League table to finish third.
Speaking to the Chronicle after the game by the side of the pitch, Woodyard was still in shock over what the team had achieved.
"It was pretty mental really," he said. "Little Braintree Town third in the league. It's massive. You've only got to look at the teams we've finished above like Tranmere. It's a miracle really.
"I thought we were excellent today. We were direct, broke the play up and got the ball forward. I think for a while it was the best we've played in some time. Going into the play-offs you couldn't have asked for us to be in better form either.
"We beat Grimsby, we went to Gateshead and beat them and went to Wrexham and did the same. Today we've won 3-0 and it's massive. We won't get ahead of ourselves. We're still Braintree Town at the end of the day and it's a miracle to get in the play-offs and anything else is even more amazing."
The Iron will now travel to take on Grimsby on Thursday followed by the return leg back at the Avanti Stadium on Sunday, with a spot at Wembley up for grabs.
Former Southend United midfielder Woodyard felt his team coped with the pressure of the televised final game so well that they won't be fearful of what lies ahead next.
"I think in front of the cameras we were excellent. Michael Cheek up top was brilliant, so was Simeon Akinola. We really looked a threat," he said.
"Three goals and we kept a good clean sheet. We got to Grimsby on Thursday and we'll take it from there.
"We're just little old Braintree Town trying to get into League Two at the end of the day. We're just two games from Wembley. If you'd have said this at the start of the season we'd have all laughed at you. The main thing was to stay in this league, but to finish third in it, it's pretty amazing."
Woodyard also had praise for the 1,803 supporters that flocked to the Avanti Stadium and said they played their part in the victory.
"The fans came out in force today. The players saw that as a big benefit to us," he admitted. "They were loud, like they have been all season, but there were extra people here today and with the cameras a lot of teams would have gone under, but we used it as a positive for us."