Braintree Town 3 Dover Athletic 0

[dbbn]

It was a welcome return to the Rare Breed Meat Company Stadium this afternoon for the Iron with probably the easiest three points they'll pick up all season. The only change from the starting XI against Truro saw a start for Jayden Davis for Shaq Coulthirst. The Iron kicked off and were on the offensive from the start, Pavey the first to try a speculative long ranger from well outside the left hand side of the box, but it slams into the hoardings. Blackwell playing on the right wing is next to serve up a chance with a cross for Blair, but he's not tall enough to make the most of it. Eight minutes and the Iron get in front, winning the ball in the Dover half, Davis who's playing on the left wing is invited to go inside and with a big gap appearing takes a shot which gets a big deflection leaving the keeper routed to the spot and unable to react as the ball goes into the far right corner of the goal. Dover's first real threat is eight minutes later and a powerful drive from 25 yards outside the box is taken really well by Sims diving to his left. A good move down the Iron left with some first time passing sets up Blair on the angle of the box on the left, but his shot is just too high. On twenty two minutes and Braintree win a free kick about 10 yards into the Dover half, Blackwell sends over an in-swinging cross that is met powerfully by Tompkins back across the keeper and into the net for his first Iron goal. Jayden Davis is then thwarted by the keepers legs as he gets in on goal. Braintree's next attack is sprung from a Dover attack, the ball is cleared out and Blair picks it up near the centre circle, he fits a first time pass out to the right wing into the path of Blackwell who races away into Dover's half, Lambe is up in support who returns it to Blackwell but his shot is blocked. Blackwell again scampers down the right and his deep cross sees Davis get on the end of it at the back stick, but it's just too high and skims off his head. On thirty eight minutes and there's a third goal, Pavey is battling with his marker near the halfway line, he outmuscles him and plays a dinked pass over the top for Blair, the keeper comes out and Blair goes around him and with defenders getting back, calmly slots the ball home. The half ends and Dover look to be there for the taking.
The second half turned out to be something of a non-event, the game got scrappy, lots of petty fouls and Braintree seemingly not interested in doubling the score. On the hour Davis is replaced by Ward followed ten minutes later by Coulthirst for Blair. It's seventy seven minutes before the next Iron effort on goal, with Ward heavily involved setting up Blackwell who's first time effort from just inside the box is slightly mis-hit and gathered low down by the keeper. Blackwell is then next to be subbed and there's a debut for former Rangers youngster Jack Roberts. He then has the next chance which was all his own work, running at the Dover rear-guard drifting pat defenders at will, into the area with just the keeper left to beat and instead of opting to dink the ball over the keeper. tries to round him only to see the ball taken from him. 
A nothing to write about second half ends and it's three more points in the bag against the worst side to visit Braintree this season.

[rjk]

Dover may not have been good, but it’s three points gratefully received.