IRON 1-1 Ipswich X1 plus match report

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Braintree Town 1 Ipswich X1 1

by David Ward

The Iron played out a commendable draw against a strong, fast moving Ipswich side at the Dunmow Group Stadium on Tuesday leaving manager Ryan Maxwell more than satisfied with his side's overall performance which he described as 'well disciplined and shows we're going in the right direction.'
With a changed starting line up from the previous Saturday's game the manager used the opportunity to look at two triallist central defenders whilst also shuffling around his side and leaving four regular starting players on the substitute's bench.
"That's what these games are for and I was particularly pleased with the first half performance against what was an obvious strong, full-time side who we knew would provide a real test for us," he continued. "We are quite a young side so it was good to see one or two more experienced players starting the game.
"I thought we more than held our own in the first half with the players showing great discipline and commitment, they all worked really hard and kept up with the pace of the game," he continued. "All the players used in the game stuck to their tasks, showed great energy and even though we had two triallists and some players, like Correy Davidson playing out of his usual position at left-back, we were never over run and I felt contained the visitors really well."
He went on: "Naturally during the second half with so many changes a side usually loses a little of its momentum but credit to those who came on as they quickly found their feet and continued the good work going forward."

The Iron took the lead two minutes before the break when after great work down the right wing by Ezra Ikebuasi the impressive full-back crossed the ball high to the far post where Luke Holness came in late to head the ball into the net.
"I'm pleased for Luke because he has worked hard, wasn't too well on Saturday but came back strongly and deserved his goal," he added.
There were periods in the game, particularly in the first half, when the visitors appeared to have the upper hand and they could have scored first before the Iron found the net.
With four changes made at half time by the Iron it was perhaps not surprising that the visitors caught them cold at the restart and within two minutes were on level terms when Matt Ward jinked his way through the home defence into the penalty area before squeezing the ball into the net past substitute goalkeeper Preston Edwards.
Despite this setback the Iron continued in their attacking mode and at times stretched the visitors' rearguard and on the hour the arrival of Femi Akinwande off the bench gave the Iron fresh impetus and within 10 minutes of being on the field he drove two shots just off target before another two fine efforts were put behind for corners.
From one Lionel Ainsworth put a deceiving his ball into the penalty box and substitute Korrey Henry's close range effort was somehow scrambled away while at the other end the Iron nearly conceded a late goal twice but thankfully on each occasion the ball crossed into the area but no visiting forward could get a touch on the ball.
"Overall I was satisfied with the evening's work and we know we've still much to work on before the real business starts," added Maxwell.

Braintree Town: Johnson (45 Edwards), Ikebuasi (80 Sade), Pennell (45 Trialist A). Davidson (80 Trialist B; Johnson (71 Johnville Renee), Payne (63 Akinwande), Hope (81 Clements), Crichlow; Holness (45 Gouldbourne), Pinto (45 Henry).

Next up for the Iron is an away match at Aveley's ground on Saturday against Grays Athletic with a 2pm kick off.

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Another young team came to test the Iron last night in the form of the 1981 Division One runners up Ipswich Town. The first half was spoiled by a whistle happy ref who gave numerous free kicks for the young tractor boys who hit the deck at every opportunity when under pressure from a high pressing Iron team. When they managed to stay upright, their attacking efforts were well curtailed by a well worked Iron offside trap. Keepers were not called into serious action until the Iron took the lead. Good work down the right after Johnson had set Ikebuasi away, the full back's deep cross was fumbled by the Town keeper, taking just enough of it for another number 9, Holness to power home back across the keeper.
The Iron made several changes at half time and trialist 2 playing at centre back was found wanting early on from the restart. A poor attempted clearance by him in the left corner was quickly recycled and Town's number 7 skipped past a couple of negligible challenges before powering home from close range. Town made their own fair amount of subs and controlled most of the game. The introduction of Akinwande seemed to raise the Iron's efforts, the powerful front man's energetic bustling style was hard for the young Ipswich players to handle. A spell of 4 corners in succession almost saw Braintree level, with Town defenders panicking to almost contrive an own goal.

In the end a draw was probably a fair result and another good work out for the squad. It's now getting close to deciding the squad and there seems to be some decisions to be made about who will be number one with both Edwards and Johnson looking like the prime candidates. At the other end we have seen a handful of players donning the 9 shirt. Akinwande has impressed with his goals and leadership of the front line. Korrey Henry continues to trial and Holness, although scoring last night was not otherwise involved. Defensively we look fairly sound although we had two trialists trying out at centre back tonight whilst Correy Davidson played left back in the absence of Porter.

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The Iron lined up for their penultimate home pre-season match at the newly unveiled Dunmow Group stadium against Ipswich Town’s U23 side. A few trialists in the team alongside what seemed to be a steadily solidifying Braintree squad got off to a spritely start, with Luke Holness darting through and striking an effort from just outside the area, crashing against Albie Armin resulting in a corner.

Ipswich managed to counter quickly and win a free-kick, Brett McGavin trying a shot from long range was no challenge for Billy Johnson in the Braintree goal, who easily gathered. Ipswich threatened once more soon after, with Flynn Downes feeding Ben Morris who found space for a shot, only to send the ball high and wide.

Dominance from the away side continued, but the resilient Iron defence stood firm. Marauding left-back Tommy Smith made a lengthy run to the byline and pulled the ball back to Tawanda Chirewa, whose strike drew a simple save from Johnson. Minutes later, Brett McGavin and Zanda Siziba combined in midfield and won a free kick near the edge of the area. Downes laid it off for McGavin, who fired narrowly wide of the post.

On the stroke of halftime, the deadlock was broken, with an Ezra Ikebuasi cross from the right flank being met by Luke Holness at the back post, heading into the back of the net to put Braintree ahead. Bert White came close to claiming the cross but was beaten by the flight and power on the ball from the Iron defender.

Half time saw rotation for Braintree, who swapped goalkeepers as Preston Edwards entered the field with Korrey Henry coming on upfront alongside 3 other changes. Ipswich made one change, Edwin Agbaje replacing Levi Andoh at right back.

Not long after the second half had kicked off, the youthful Ipswich side levelled the scoring swiftly, as Matt Ward launched a rising shot into the roof of the net with the outside of his foot having made his way into the box.

Ten minutes later and Ipswich were inches from taking the lead. Matt Ward once more causing problems for Braintree, had his shot well parried by Edwards into the path of Chirewa, who from a tight angle struck the outside of the post.

Right on the hour mark, Morris in space on the left found Smith on the overlap. The left back’s shot was powerful but didn’t trouble Edwards. Ten minutes after and it was the Iron’s turn to pile the pressure on, Lionel Ainsworth putting a wide free kick toward the far post, which was met by Harry Hope, whose shot was blocked and went out for a corner.

The resultant corner was whipped in by Ainsworth into the six-yard box, Henry came agonisingly close to getting the vital touch, but newly introduced Lewis Ridd was there to claim the loose ball and clear Ipswich’s lines.
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Eight-five minutes on the clock saw the visitors come close to winning the game, Downes volleying a strong strike from the back post, only to be thwarted by Henry on the line. That proved to be the final act of the game, ending in a 1-1 draw, with promising signs shown from both teams, as the Iron edge ever closer to the beginning of their National League South campaign.


GOALS:

Braintree Town: Luke Holness (43)

Ipswich Town U23: Matt Ward (47)

TEAMS:

Braintree Town: Billy Johnson (Preston Edwards 45), Ezra Ikebuasi (Yoav Sade 80), Correy Davidson (Trialist C 80), Matt Johnson (Johnville Renee 71), Trialist A (Kyran Clements 71), Luke Pennell (Trialist B 45), Harry Hope, Alfie Payne (Femi Akinwande 63), Luke Holness (Korrey Henry 45), Anderson Pinto (Lionel Ainsworth 45), Gianni Crichlow (Marcus Gouldburne 45)

​Ipswich Town U23: Bert White (Lewis Ridd 65), Levi Andoh (Edwin Agbaje 45), Albie Armin, Brett McGavin, Tommy Smith, Elkan Baggott, Matt Ward (Ross Crane 65), Flynn Downes, Ben Morris (Ola Bello 65), Tawanda Chirewa (Finley Barbrook 76), Zanda Siziba (Callum Page 54)