Post by dbbn on Feb 14, 2023 22:39:34 GMT
The Iron maintained their unbeaten home record this evening against one of their bogey sides - Dulwich Hamlet in a game that wasn't as comfortable as it should've been. There was a new name in the Iron starting line up with Gene Kennedy on loan from Colchester United, starting in midfield ahead of Jack Turner. Braintree started the brighter and had their first effort at goal with Pavey meeting a cross centre of goal, but headed over. Dulwich had a speedy winger on the right, but the defence were keeping top marksman Danny Mills under control. The visitors almost took the lead following a corner, the ball was cleared out side the area and Owusu hooked a shot back in from 20 yards that hit the crossbar. Blair who was lively all evening burst down the right feeds Reynolds on the edge of the area, he takes the ball into the area and goes down under a challenge, but nothing is given. Twenty minutes and the Iron get their noses in front, Farrell's first cross is cleared, he retrieves the ball and puts it in again, the ball comes via Pavey to Altintop 8 yards out, his initial effort is blocked, but the defence don't clear and he takes a swing at the loose ball to fire home. Dulwich hit back with a couple of corners and an effort from outside the box from Owusu, but it's straight at Sims. Pavey sets Blair away down the right, he heads for goal but shoots wide under pressure. Three minutes before the break and Blair links up with Altintop on the right and the latter swings over a deep left footed cross which Pavey heads home as the keeper crumbles in a heap looking for a foul. Blair has his man on toast and turns his marker, skims the next man as he gets to the byline and into the area where he drives the ball low, it's met by Pavey but it ricochets off him and out for a goal kick. Two - nil at half time and deservedly in front, no need for a half time sub!
Second half starts with Dulwich on the front foot and a higher tempo to their game. Just under ten minutes into the half and they work a good move down their left and the cross finds centre back Taylor who sweeps in at the near post. Their next effort also down the left is fired over as they press for the equaliser. Braintree carry a threat on the break with Blair and Reynolds lining up. the latter is slid in on the left where he carries to the wards the penalty area and tries to chip as the keeper comes to close him down but there's just too much elevation on it. Just past the hour and the game swings back in Braintree's favour when Felix is shown a straight red for an off the ball incident with Altintop. Shortly after that, Kennedy is withdrawn and Jack Turner comes on. A second follows shortly afterwards, starting with Boachie on for Reynolds. On the counter again from a Dulwich free kick, Blair breaks away again, Boachie overlaps him to his left, the pass is perfect and he heads for goal, into the area he shoots across the keeper who gets down well to push it away, but it's straight into the path of Turner who doesn't make the cleanest connection, but the ball rolls slowly into the net. The tireless Blair is then replaced by Rush. Dulwich start to take more risks and Clements makes a great goal line clearance. Seven minutes added time and Braintree are not doing a good job of keeping possession and using the extra man. They are also guilty of giving away free kicks and corners inviting pressure on their goal and from a free kick they pull one back in the first minute of stoppage time. Eventually the clock beat the visitors and a deserved three points maintains our play-off place.
Second half starts with Dulwich on the front foot and a higher tempo to their game. Just under ten minutes into the half and they work a good move down their left and the cross finds centre back Taylor who sweeps in at the near post. Their next effort also down the left is fired over as they press for the equaliser. Braintree carry a threat on the break with Blair and Reynolds lining up. the latter is slid in on the left where he carries to the wards the penalty area and tries to chip as the keeper comes to close him down but there's just too much elevation on it. Just past the hour and the game swings back in Braintree's favour when Felix is shown a straight red for an off the ball incident with Altintop. Shortly after that, Kennedy is withdrawn and Jack Turner comes on. A second follows shortly afterwards, starting with Boachie on for Reynolds. On the counter again from a Dulwich free kick, Blair breaks away again, Boachie overlaps him to his left, the pass is perfect and he heads for goal, into the area he shoots across the keeper who gets down well to push it away, but it's straight into the path of Turner who doesn't make the cleanest connection, but the ball rolls slowly into the net. The tireless Blair is then replaced by Rush. Dulwich start to take more risks and Clements makes a great goal line clearance. Seven minutes added time and Braintree are not doing a good job of keeping possession and using the extra man. They are also guilty of giving away free kicks and corners inviting pressure on their goal and from a free kick they pull one back in the first minute of stoppage time. Eventually the clock beat the visitors and a deserved three points maintains our play-off place.