Post by dbbn on Dec 16, 2023 18:53:12 GMT
Braintree finally have a home fixture and return to winning ways over local rivals Aveley.Three changes from the Hampton game saw new loan signing Devonte Aransibia come straight into the middle of the park with Shaq Coulthirst and Tom Blackwell returning up front, Lambe, Georgiou relegated to the bench and Crichlow injured. The Iron started quite brightly getting the ball out wide whenever they could. Six minutes on and an interception just inside the Braintree half by Mason saw the defender slide in a ball down the line for Blair, he carries it forward and is supported by Coulthirst, Blair drives it low to his strike partner's feet and goes for the return and tries a first time effort with the outside of his boot but it's straight at the keeper. Two minutes later and Blackwell wide on the left switches play with a sweeping pass to Ward, he takes it forward then fires in a low cross which just evades Blair at the far post. Aveley are having problems trying to curtail the two wide men and when Blackwell goes down in the box, the ref is not impressed and waves away the penalty appeal. Aveley's first effort comes after some good play down their right and Hughes is in behind the backline, Sins prevents him scoring, but the flag goes up for offside. Braintree finally get their noses in front that their play merited when on nineteen minutes, Blackwell swiftly loses his marker and glances in a near post header from Aransibia's corner. A good chance goes begging five minutes later and again it's Coulthirst and Blair in unison with the latter set up for a strike from just inside the box on the right, but he slightly drags his shot and it goes wide of the far post. Aveley threaten again in a rare attack with a cross which sees a poor headed attempt. From a Blackwell free kick on the left Grimwood flicks it on and an Aveley defender just manages to head it over the bar. On forty five Aveley have their best chance of the game, Mason looks as though he's dealt with the attempted pass, but after controlling the ball, his next touch is poor and is intercepted with Mason picking it up and shoots from just outside the box forcing Sims into a full length dive to get it around the post.
Braintree are on the front foot again early in the second half, Blair played in down the left goes past one man and shoots but a great block by the centre back averts the danger. Aveley reply with a shot from outside the box which is straight at Sims. Blair is sent away down the left he goes to the touchline and pulls it back, it deflects out to Aransibia who hits one first time, again it's blocked but it comes straight to Coulthirts who from 12 yards shoots, but it lacks power and is straight at the keeper. The game then fell into a scrappy spell, littered with fouls. Just past the hour and Sims has his sternest test of the half when a direct free kick from 25 yards is heading into the net but Sims acrobatically get's it away. On the counter and Blackwell put's Blair in with a defence splitting pass on the right side of the box, his shot is low but the keeper is down and although he spills it there's no one following up. Aransibia who has showed some good touches is the replaced by Lambe. Iron almost grab a second when the Aveley keeper tries to play out from the back, Blair hassles him and the keeper hurriedly passes left where the receiving defender is immediately pressured by Coulthirst he lays it back and Lambe's shot is blocked as is Coulthirst's follow up. With four minutes left Blackwell makes way for Georgiou, followed four minutes later by Pinto for Ward. The board for added time didn't appear to go up but the game was eight minutes into added time when a ruckus kicks off in front of the home dugout with players from both sides racing to get involved. There's a few yellow cards waved about before the games resumes and the ref finally blows for full time.
Not a classic game and the score line perhaps should have reflected the better chances not converted by the Iron, but it's enough to put us back in the play off spots.
Braintree are on the front foot again early in the second half, Blair played in down the left goes past one man and shoots but a great block by the centre back averts the danger. Aveley reply with a shot from outside the box which is straight at Sims. Blair is sent away down the left he goes to the touchline and pulls it back, it deflects out to Aransibia who hits one first time, again it's blocked but it comes straight to Coulthirts who from 12 yards shoots, but it lacks power and is straight at the keeper. The game then fell into a scrappy spell, littered with fouls. Just past the hour and Sims has his sternest test of the half when a direct free kick from 25 yards is heading into the net but Sims acrobatically get's it away. On the counter and Blackwell put's Blair in with a defence splitting pass on the right side of the box, his shot is low but the keeper is down and although he spills it there's no one following up. Aransibia who has showed some good touches is the replaced by Lambe. Iron almost grab a second when the Aveley keeper tries to play out from the back, Blair hassles him and the keeper hurriedly passes left where the receiving defender is immediately pressured by Coulthirst he lays it back and Lambe's shot is blocked as is Coulthirst's follow up. With four minutes left Blackwell makes way for Georgiou, followed four minutes later by Pinto for Ward. The board for added time didn't appear to go up but the game was eight minutes into added time when a ruckus kicks off in front of the home dugout with players from both sides racing to get involved. There's a few yellow cards waved about before the games resumes and the ref finally blows for full time.
Not a classic game and the score line perhaps should have reflected the better chances not converted by the Iron, but it's enough to put us back in the play off spots.