Post by dbbn on Oct 21, 2023 17:01:48 GMT
Relief for Iron fans as Braintree picked up three precious points from this scrappy game and leap frog their opponents in the process. Changes from the F. A, Cup exit on Tuesday saw Mason, Quantrell and Blackwell all dropped to the bench with White, Lambe and Crichlow coming in. It was a game that was low on quality played on a slick playing surface following the recent downpours. There was an early yellow card for Matt Carson for a slightly mis-timed tackle. Braintree were poor in possession looking to often for the ball over the top to use Blair and Crichlow's pace, but most were overhit and offered little hope to the front men. The visitors had two good chances on twenty minutes from a quickly taken free kick, with Grimwood heading off the line and a loose ball is smothered by Reyes after poor contact from a seagull's player. Braintree's first effort followed shortly after as for once the pass for Crichlow is well measured, he scurries down the right flank and cuts inside to try his luck with his left foot, but drags it just wide from the edge of the box. Braintree are getting caught down their right with Weston's left back given the freedom to bomb on and his cross hits the crossbar and over, although Reyes had it covered. Just short of the half hour and Braintree muster a good chance, a misplaced pass into midfield is intercepted by Crichlow who races down the right, looks up and plays a perfect cross for lair who came in from the left and made a firm header that the keeper made a one handed save to tip it over the bar. More good work down the Iron right and Lambe cuts on and dribbles past a couple of players before letting off an attempted left footed curler, but it goes over the bar. The visitors have a direct free kick 25 yards out just beyond the penalty area, but it's fired in centrally for a comfortable take from Reyes. Crichlow and Blair had been swapping flanks roughout the first half and this time Crichlow dribbles past his man and gets to the by-line, but his cross is too high for Blair on the far post. The earlier booked Carson is then withdrawn and Leon Davies comes on. Ben Watt is next in the book for persistent fouling. Into added time and the visiting keeper makes a hash of his clearance and as it lands straight at the feet of Watt, some 40 yards from goal, he hits it back first time, but with the keeper stranded, there's too much curl on the effort and it goes harmlessly wide. A poor first half of football ends goal less.
There's an early chance in the second half for Will Davies who has looked dis-interested throughout, the ball is played inside to him from Crichlow and he sets himself up to strike from just outside the box, but he fires over. Again lots of endeavour, but little quality follows before the Iron finally break the deadlock on 56 minutes. A ball is played up towards Crichlow who is just outside the area, he manages to flick it on into the path of Blair and although his shirt is initially pulled he gets away and strikes a shot across the keeper and into the inside of the side netting. That goal raised the confidence of the players and the go forward again with Lambe instrumental in most of the good play. The Bermudan international finds himself on the edge of the box and some good passing play wand this time his shot is on target. the keeper palms it away and it eventually comes to Crichlow but his effort is poor and dragged wide. On the hour and Watt is withdrawn to be replaced by Quantrell. Shortly after that sub, Crichlow is also withdrawn and Blackwell comes on.
The second goal comes about after a corner. Before it can be taken the ref has too speak to a Weston defender as he and White grapple with each other, as the corner comes in, there's more wrestling and the ref blows for a penalty. Will Davies takes the ball and rams it in low to the keeper's right.
Weston up their game in attempt to rescue something from the game and in one attack Leon Davies has to clear away a lose ball from close to the goal. Weston get a few corners and free kicks to bombard the area and although there's a few hairy moments, they cannot apply a finishing touch and either Reyes claims the ball or Braintree clear their lines. Five minutes of added time is incident free and the Iron take a deserved three points.
Now to put things right on the road with a trip to Hemel on Tuesday evening.
There's an early chance in the second half for Will Davies who has looked dis-interested throughout, the ball is played inside to him from Crichlow and he sets himself up to strike from just outside the box, but he fires over. Again lots of endeavour, but little quality follows before the Iron finally break the deadlock on 56 minutes. A ball is played up towards Crichlow who is just outside the area, he manages to flick it on into the path of Blair and although his shirt is initially pulled he gets away and strikes a shot across the keeper and into the inside of the side netting. That goal raised the confidence of the players and the go forward again with Lambe instrumental in most of the good play. The Bermudan international finds himself on the edge of the box and some good passing play wand this time his shot is on target. the keeper palms it away and it eventually comes to Crichlow but his effort is poor and dragged wide. On the hour and Watt is withdrawn to be replaced by Quantrell. Shortly after that sub, Crichlow is also withdrawn and Blackwell comes on.
The second goal comes about after a corner. Before it can be taken the ref has too speak to a Weston defender as he and White grapple with each other, as the corner comes in, there's more wrestling and the ref blows for a penalty. Will Davies takes the ball and rams it in low to the keeper's right.
Weston up their game in attempt to rescue something from the game and in one attack Leon Davies has to clear away a lose ball from close to the goal. Weston get a few corners and free kicks to bombard the area and although there's a few hairy moments, they cannot apply a finishing touch and either Reyes claims the ball or Braintree clear their lines. Five minutes of added time is incident free and the Iron take a deserved three points.
Now to put things right on the road with a trip to Hemel on Tuesday evening.