Post by dbbn on Aug 5, 2023 21:44:12 GMT
The Iron returned from a wet and blustery Somerset with no points to show for their endeavours. Angelo's first XI was Sims, Owen-Price, Beadle, White, Grimwood, Stevenson, Leon Davies Payne, Quantrell, Blackwell and Nwachuku. The home side had two early free kicks into the box which were dealt with as they played a more direct style, whilst Braintree tried to keep the ball on the ground and play through midfield. The Iron were gifted an early goal in the fifth minute, a long throw on the right, 20 yards from the touch line was hurled in by Beadle and collected by the Peacocks keeper amongst a crowd of players. As all the players made their way back up the pitch, the keeper dropped the ball at his feet and delaying his kick, Nnamdi decided to close him down, the keeper hurried his kick and sent it crashing into Nnamdi and saw the ball go past him into an empty net. Minutes later and a Braintree attack sees the bal in the box, Nnamdii has his back to gooa, Blackwell has a shot blocked eventually Stevenson gets a shot on goal that is deflected and the keeper claims it. Sims is guilty of misjudging his goal kicks trying to pick out right wing back Owen-Jones as the ball skips off the wet service or is blown straight out of play. Braintree are still the better side in the opening exchanges and Nnamdi gets away down the left wing and crosses with only Quantrell in the box but it's slightly overhit. The home side respond with an effort from outside the box which goes well over and another similar effort fired across goal that Sims pushes away for a corner. Alfie Owen-Jones picks up the first yellow card for stopping a free kick being taken in a new initiative for the season followed minutes later with a soft yellow for a foul by Grimwood. On 37 minutes the home side score from a free kick loaded into the box, but the linesman has his flag up before the ball hits the net and it's ruled out. Two minutes of added time is shown and in the fourth minute, Taunton do equalise after Sims had blocked a shot at his near post for a corner, the resulting cornet was initially cleared but an unchallenged cross was met at the far post by Grimes who powered home from close range.
The second half saw the home side dominate from the kick off and an early shot is deflected over the bar for a corner. Braintree struggle to keep possession higher up the pitch and find themselves pushed back. Just past the hour Owen-Price is replaced by Luton loanee Ben Tompkins. Eventually Braintree make progress with some decent passing and Blackwell is hauled down in the box, but the ref doesn't see it. On 72 minutes Taunton break with a long ball down the left and Beadle trips his opponent and sees yellow. From the resulting free kick, the ball flicks off Grimwood to the far post, is headed back across goal and Stearn nods it home from close range. John White is withdrawn and replaced by Kyran Clements and is called into action almost straight away and gets in a last ditch tackle to prevent a one on one with the keeper. With just over 10 minutes left Davies makes way for Lamb and the midfielder shows some good control and touches in the middle of the pitch. He sends Blackwell away down the right, his marker backs off and Tom gets into the box, but his shot to the near post is collected easily by the keeper. Six minutes of stoppage time is shown and in the first of those, it's Blackwell again who finished off some good controlled passing with a curler this time from the left sees the keeper at full stretch to put it out for a corner. Taunton counter and sub McCootie outstrips the defence and tries to lob Sims but he acrobatically tips the shot over the bar. The game peters out and the home side claim all 3 points.
Early signs show that this is squad still getting to know each other, the absence of Will Davies as an outlet meant we often failed to retain the ball when we went longer, but there were also signs of some good passing play through the middle of the pitch.
Next up, newcomers and big winners Truro City next Saturday at home.
The second half saw the home side dominate from the kick off and an early shot is deflected over the bar for a corner. Braintree struggle to keep possession higher up the pitch and find themselves pushed back. Just past the hour Owen-Price is replaced by Luton loanee Ben Tompkins. Eventually Braintree make progress with some decent passing and Blackwell is hauled down in the box, but the ref doesn't see it. On 72 minutes Taunton break with a long ball down the left and Beadle trips his opponent and sees yellow. From the resulting free kick, the ball flicks off Grimwood to the far post, is headed back across goal and Stearn nods it home from close range. John White is withdrawn and replaced by Kyran Clements and is called into action almost straight away and gets in a last ditch tackle to prevent a one on one with the keeper. With just over 10 minutes left Davies makes way for Lamb and the midfielder shows some good control and touches in the middle of the pitch. He sends Blackwell away down the right, his marker backs off and Tom gets into the box, but his shot to the near post is collected easily by the keeper. Six minutes of stoppage time is shown and in the first of those, it's Blackwell again who finished off some good controlled passing with a curler this time from the left sees the keeper at full stretch to put it out for a corner. Taunton counter and sub McCootie outstrips the defence and tries to lob Sims but he acrobatically tips the shot over the bar. The game peters out and the home side claim all 3 points.
Early signs show that this is squad still getting to know each other, the absence of Will Davies as an outlet meant we often failed to retain the ball when we went longer, but there were also signs of some good passing play through the middle of the pitch.
Next up, newcomers and big winners Truro City next Saturday at home.