Post by dbbn on Dec 26, 2023 19:19:47 GMT
Braintree suffered a humiliating defeat as they failed to turn up for the first of the seasonal double headers. There were two changes from the side beaten 1-0 at Farnborough on Saturday, left back made his debut at left back in place of Leon Davies and Reggie Lambe came into midfield for Devonte Arinsibia. Chelmsford kicked off attacking the club house end and from the off they were sharper on and off the ball. On two minutes Tompkins delayed on his clearance and was robbed by his opponent, but redeemed himself with a last ditch tackle in the penalty area. Braintree's first effort came following a corner, the original delivery was cleared, Alfie Payne picked it up near the halfway line and swept it out right for Ward, the ball comes in again and although cleared. it fell for Reggie Lambe on the edge of the box, but his side footed effort went just wide of the post. Immediately Chelmsford attack and a ball over the top sees Hockey in one on one with Sims, the striker shoots from about 12 yards but an instinctive outstretched arm from Sims sees it go behind for a corner. Still inside the first ten minutes and a good cross from the right finds Francis unmarked 15 yards out, but he heads over. Sims is in action again as an in swinging Carruthers cross has the keeper pawing it away, a brave low header from Grimwood prevents the follow up from Chelmsford scoring, the centre back picking up a shiner for his trouble. The visitors are in control sparing Iron players no time on the ball and Miccio prevents another dangerous shooting chance with a last ditch tackle. Braintree finally manage a counter attack as Blackwell scurries away through the middle of the pitch, as he gets into the opposition half he finds Blair to his left, the top scorer gets to the by line and his cut back hits a Chelmsford player and heads goal wards, but there's no supporting orange shirt and they clear the threat. Ruff is the next to come close for the visitors with probably their best chance, the through ball is perfect the although the shot eludes Sims, it also goes agonisingly wide of the far post. In a decent move down the Iron right, the ball falls to Blackwell centrally in the area, he scuffs it but it rolls into the path of Grimwood but the big centre back cannot sort his feet out and it rolls away for a goal kick. As the first half edge towards half time, the Iron finally show some threat, Reggie Lambe hits a powerful 25 tard drive which thumps against the upright and no one can get hold of the the rebound. There's a flurry of corners, but nothing comes of them.
After a poor showing in the first 45 minutes, whatever game plan was set for the second half didn't materialise. Chelmsford are still bossing the game and Braintree are very poor in possession. On 55 minutes Miccio who had had a poor game is carded for taking out his man on the halfway line and is subbed a minute later for Davies. Soon after Payne is withdrawn and Aransibia comes on. Chelmsford continue to attack and Watts shoots just wide of the goal. Finally on 67 minutes the pressure finally tells, a ball is played in as they counter and Sims again is one on one with his opponent, he slides out and blocks the shot at the edge of the box, but it breaks to Francis who steers the ball into an empty goal. Matt Ward is withdrawn and Ben Watt comes on. Eight minutes after scoring their first goal, there's a second for City, good work down their left and the ball is crossed to the far post where a totally unmarked Ruff has the simple task of nodding it home. Another four minutes and a third goal for City Freddie Hockey firing home as a downtrodden Braintree cave in. Hockey should have had a second when put in with just Sims to beat, but taking it early he steered the ball wide. Nine minutes of added time and Sims is at full stretch to turn away a shot from Jenkins from outside the box. The ref finally blows her whist and most of the biggest crowd of the season (over 1500) trudge home after the worst home performance of the season.
City didn't play great football, but they certainly put in so much more effort than the Iron who's display can only be described as abject. They have seven days to put things right!
Photo by Jon Weaver
After a poor showing in the first 45 minutes, whatever game plan was set for the second half didn't materialise. Chelmsford are still bossing the game and Braintree are very poor in possession. On 55 minutes Miccio who had had a poor game is carded for taking out his man on the halfway line and is subbed a minute later for Davies. Soon after Payne is withdrawn and Aransibia comes on. Chelmsford continue to attack and Watts shoots just wide of the goal. Finally on 67 minutes the pressure finally tells, a ball is played in as they counter and Sims again is one on one with his opponent, he slides out and blocks the shot at the edge of the box, but it breaks to Francis who steers the ball into an empty goal. Matt Ward is withdrawn and Ben Watt comes on. Eight minutes after scoring their first goal, there's a second for City, good work down their left and the ball is crossed to the far post where a totally unmarked Ruff has the simple task of nodding it home. Another four minutes and a third goal for City Freddie Hockey firing home as a downtrodden Braintree cave in. Hockey should have had a second when put in with just Sims to beat, but taking it early he steered the ball wide. Nine minutes of added time and Sims is at full stretch to turn away a shot from Jenkins from outside the box. The ref finally blows her whist and most of the biggest crowd of the season (over 1500) trudge home after the worst home performance of the season.
City didn't play great football, but they certainly put in so much more effort than the Iron who's display can only be described as abject. They have seven days to put things right!
Photo by Jon Weaver