IRON 4-1 Welling - plus match report

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Another good home result.

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For the third home game running, the Iron scored four goals to sweep aside Welling in another entertaining encounter at the Rare Breed Meat Company Stadium. An enforced change from Saturday saw Matt Ward make his first start for Reggie Lambe who is again on international duty with Bermuda, whilst Tom Blackwell who had picked up a knock was on the bench and Gianni Crichlow started on the left wing. Just like last Tuesday when St Albans came calling, the game was played at a quick pace with both sides determined to keep the ball down on a very wet, slick surface. Welling looked the better side early on and had the first shot on target on three minutes from just outside the box, but Blunkell was down well to smother the ball. On seven minutes the Iron got their noses in front, some good work on the left and Crichlow comes in off the flank, as he tries to find the angle for a shot, he is sent wider across the edge of the box before taking a low shot which is initially blocked, butt he deflection runs kindly to Shaq Coulthirst he turns and fires home from close range. A minute later and Coulthirst tries his luck from 30 yards as a gap appears in front of him and the keeper gathers at the second time of asking. The Iron are in full flow now and next to try his luck is Aaron Blair who tries to curl one from the edge of the area, but the keeper gathers easily. Coulthirts then sets up another chance from the left, this time laying back just outside the box for Watt to latch onto and hit a first time strike but it skids just wide of the post. Ward who is playing on the right is linking up well with Blair and Mason and he gets into the box and is impeded by the keeper, but no penalty is given. Minutes later and some good passing sees Ward drive into the box and shoot across goal, but it evades everyone and goes out for a goal kick. Welling who are struggling to contain the home side finally get some relief with a free kick yards inside the Iron half and a dangerous ball ends up inches wide of the far post with no white shirt close enough to finish it off. More good play down the left on the counter this time involving Crichlow, who collects a long pass and moves it on quickly to Aaron Blair to run through for a one on one with the keeper, shooting across him and into the far corner of the net. Braintree are straight back on the attack and Blair and Ward combine yet again, but this time to devastating effect as their one-two sees Ward find the inside of the far side netting. Welling again are restricted to long shots and Abrahams tries his luck but Blunkell takes it at the second attempt. Just short of half time and Welling open up the Iron back line and from a close range effort Blunkell makes an instinctive save, but the striker is offside anyway. Ben Watt picks up as loose ball out from the keeper and with him being well advanced he tries to hit a long ranger into the unguarded goal, but it's too high.
The second half starts with Welling sent out early after no doubt being given a rollocking at half time and the quickly pull one back, attacking down the right, the Iron are not closing down quickly enough and eventually it falls to a player on the edge of the box who curls one beyond Blunkell's reach. Braintree should have scored from the re-start when Ward wins the ball off the last defender and takes an early shot from the edge of the box when he might've been better taking it closer to goal as he fires it straight at the keeper. Braintree are getting sloppy in possession and resorting to too many long passes as Welling push them back trying to get back into the game. Ben Watt who had been carded in the first half is then withdrawn for Anderson Pinto to make his second debut for the Iron on the hour. A good chance for the visitors when a ball is swept in from the right but Crichlow has tracked back and stops it going to a white shirt as he concedes a corner. Braintree make a tactical substitution to match the visitors formation with John White coming on for Crichlow. Welling have another effort from long range and again Blunkell is equal to it. On the counter Blair chases a ball down the left flank, turns his man and comes inside trying a curler but it lacks any bend and goes for a goal kick. On eighty two minutes and Braintree have a free kick halfway in the welling half yards in from the right, Ben Mason rolls it to Ward who hits a thumping left footed drive into the top corner of the net. Pinto is next to try his luck as Ward dinks one over the top into his path, he's forced wide but the ball sits up nicely for the shot and he drives it to the near post but the keeper parries and is able to clear rebound. Blair is then replaced by Herschel, but four minutes into seven added minutes of time Coulthirst pulls up chasing a ball and Braintree have to play the last three minutes with ten men. Welling only mustered one more chance, in the final minute a deep cross finds Wood unmarked at the back post, but he volleys it wide.
Braintree now have four away games on the trot and their form on the road need to improve if they want to be play-off contenders. The squad picture should become clearer this week as they get ready to travel to Gloucester City on Saturday in the F A Trophy.