Post by dbbn on Mar 4, 2023 17:43:33 GMT
Braintree maintained their unbeaten home run this afternoon in a game of few clear cut chances, in the end a goal of high quality settled it. Braintree made had the first effort on target 6 minutes in, Reynolds went on a dribble down the left flank, got to the by-line and stood the ball up into the middle of the box, Pavey outjumped his marker and his goal bound effort was tipped over by the keeper at full stretch. Boroughs immediate response was a drilled effort from outside the box which was gathered comfortably by Sims. Must of the momentum is with the home side, but decision making when shooting isn't always right, either taking too many touches or going for an early "worldy". Some of the approach play is quick and neat and Payne in the centre circle hit an accurate diagonal out to Altintop on the right flank, he plays the ball first time down the touchline for Blair to run onto, he outstrips his marker and fires across goal where the incoming Reynolds shoots just wide under pressure. Pavey then picks up a poor pass out from Borough and feeds Reynolds but he blazes wildly over from outside the box. Blair and Altintop are pairing up well on the right and when Blair again cuts into cross, the rebound falls to Altintop who's driven effort is turned out for a corner by the keeper's legs. Close on half time and it's Altintop heading on a loose ball in the final third for Blair to latch onto but the defender recovers to block the goal bound effort.
Second half and little in the change of game play with Braintree struggling to create any clear openings whilst the visitors seem happy with a point. The game is not helped by another poor referee who gives the visitors countless free kicks every time they throw themselves to the floor. Left back Wishart was the most guilty of this, a rotund guy who went down with ease every time he was dispossessed. Sixty five minutes and Braintree's first sub sees Alfie Matthews replace Lamar Reynolds. Braintree have a corner on their left, an outswinger from Farrell, White heads into the ground and the ball loops up gently into the keeper's hands and Clements goes down, but nothing is given. Finally on seventy one minutes the deadlock is broken. Matthews robs Gray centrally 25 yards from goal and the Braintree man is tripped for a direct free-kick.
Farrel rolls the ball and Matthews curls a beauty into the top right hand corner of the net. Instead of being the catalyst for the home side to take the game away from the visitors, Borough step up the pace and almost draw level within minutes. A sweeping move from left to right through the midfield and Gray has a well hit shot on the angle which Sims reacts to brilliantly to concede a corner. They follow that up with two more good chances one shot fired wide and an acrobatic effort at the far post as Sims tips it away. Hampton should have levelled with their next two chances a header pm the middle of the area from Clifton sees him fail to hit the target and then Si has to perform heroics to deny a half volley from Dunne. Another goal mouth scramble and the ball is eventually cleared and the additional four minutes elapses without any more goal threat.
That win gives the Iron their highest League placing of the season ahead of a trip to another play-off contender - Oxford City. It's going to be a nail biting eleven games and every point will be well earned.
Second half and little in the change of game play with Braintree struggling to create any clear openings whilst the visitors seem happy with a point. The game is not helped by another poor referee who gives the visitors countless free kicks every time they throw themselves to the floor. Left back Wishart was the most guilty of this, a rotund guy who went down with ease every time he was dispossessed. Sixty five minutes and Braintree's first sub sees Alfie Matthews replace Lamar Reynolds. Braintree have a corner on their left, an outswinger from Farrell, White heads into the ground and the ball loops up gently into the keeper's hands and Clements goes down, but nothing is given. Finally on seventy one minutes the deadlock is broken. Matthews robs Gray centrally 25 yards from goal and the Braintree man is tripped for a direct free-kick.
Farrel rolls the ball and Matthews curls a beauty into the top right hand corner of the net. Instead of being the catalyst for the home side to take the game away from the visitors, Borough step up the pace and almost draw level within minutes. A sweeping move from left to right through the midfield and Gray has a well hit shot on the angle which Sims reacts to brilliantly to concede a corner. They follow that up with two more good chances one shot fired wide and an acrobatic effort at the far post as Sims tips it away. Hampton should have levelled with their next two chances a header pm the middle of the area from Clifton sees him fail to hit the target and then Si has to perform heroics to deny a half volley from Dunne. Another goal mouth scramble and the ball is eventually cleared and the additional four minutes elapses without any more goal threat.
That win gives the Iron their highest League placing of the season ahead of a trip to another play-off contender - Oxford City. It's going to be a nail biting eleven games and every point will be well earned.