Post by jonw on Mar 24, 2020 21:56:44 GMT
From the programme v Chelmsford on 1st January 2020
We haven’t always enjoyed the best of success in our decade opening games, although ten years ago we beat Bishop’s Stortford 2-0 here in the Blue Square South (the same division we are in now, but with a different sponsor).
Looking at the list of our first games, one thing immediately stands out. Was it really twenty years ago that a young Brad Quinton made his debut for Braintree at Maidenhead United? He scored too, in a 4-3 defeat.
We were, of course, quite late to the table in the 1890’s. We were formed in 1898 so our first game was a friendly with Chelmsford Swifts on the Fair Field on 24th September 1898. The 2-2 draw took place on land now occupied by the Library, Job Centre and Bus Park.
We began the 1920’s with a cup tie, losing 1-0 at home to Halstead in the Essex Junior Cup. By then we were playing at Spaldings Meadow in Panfield Lane, with 1,000 watching the local derby.
Understandably, it took a while to play our first match of the 1940’s, as there was a war on! On 10th February 1940 we went to Saffron Walden Town in the Essex Senior Cup in an emergency version of the competition that was held to boost morale. Iron won 5-1.
The match on 7th January 1950 was the first time that Cressing Road had heralded in a new decade. We lost 3-2 to the now defunct Leavesden Mental Hospital. Our first goal was scored by Keith Bright, the only Iron player be given a knighthood (we’ll cover that on another day!).
The 1960’s and 1970’s both began with home wins over reserve teams at Cressing Road. In fact, since 1940 we have only had to travel once
We have famously moved around many leagues over the years. Interesting to note that these games have taken place in nine different leagues!
We haven’t always enjoyed the best of success in our decade opening games, although ten years ago we beat Bishop’s Stortford 2-0 here in the Blue Square South (the same division we are in now, but with a different sponsor).
Looking at the list of our first games, one thing immediately stands out. Was it really twenty years ago that a young Brad Quinton made his debut for Braintree at Maidenhead United? He scored too, in a 4-3 defeat.
We were, of course, quite late to the table in the 1890’s. We were formed in 1898 so our first game was a friendly with Chelmsford Swifts on the Fair Field on 24th September 1898. The 2-2 draw took place on land now occupied by the Library, Job Centre and Bus Park.
We began the 1920’s with a cup tie, losing 1-0 at home to Halstead in the Essex Junior Cup. By then we were playing at Spaldings Meadow in Panfield Lane, with 1,000 watching the local derby.
Understandably, it took a while to play our first match of the 1940’s, as there was a war on! On 10th February 1940 we went to Saffron Walden Town in the Essex Senior Cup in an emergency version of the competition that was held to boost morale. Iron won 5-1.
The match on 7th January 1950 was the first time that Cressing Road had heralded in a new decade. We lost 3-2 to the now defunct Leavesden Mental Hospital. Our first goal was scored by Keith Bright, the only Iron player be given a knighthood (we’ll cover that on another day!).
The 1960’s and 1970’s both began with home wins over reserve teams at Cressing Road. In fact, since 1940 we have only had to travel once
We have famously moved around many leagues over the years. Interesting to note that these games have taken place in nine different leagues!