Post by dbbn on Aug 26, 2023 17:20:56 GMT
The Iron had to settle for a point in a game that saw two well matched sides cancel each other out. With Nwachuku gone, White and Stevenson injured and Beadle getting over concussion, the squad was down to the bones with one new signing making his debut, Arnold Matshazi formerly of Wycombe Wanderers starting up front. Leon Davies switched to left wing back, Ben Tomkins making his first star at centre back. Both sides set out to play a possession based game with the Iron having the majority of it in the opening stages. Will Davies had an early long ranger from 30 yards which was comfortable for the keeper. Matshazi showing pace and tenacity then was fed on the inside right channel, cutting in and shooting left footed, but again it was easy for the keeper to collect. Braintree are using their wing backs well but the final delivery is often overhit. Matshazi then almost got the Iron in front on 25 minutes when the ball was played into his feet on the edge of the box, holding off his marker, this time his powerful drive has to be tipped over the bar. From the resulting corner Will Davies is up, but the cross is just too strong and he heads wide. Just past the half hour and the best chance to open the scoring starting with Sims clearing to Grimwood after a Chippenham attack, the centre back curls one down the right flank and after a neat one-two, Dawodu plays in Will Davies beyond the back line he's forced wide by a defender and shoots back across goal and the ball rolls agonisingly wide. Blackwell's trickery on the left sees him cut inside his marker and drive across the area crossing low where Lambe meets it close in. but Henry in the Chippenham goals spreads himself well and it's hacked clear. An entertaining first half ends with the Iron ahead on points.
Chippenham start better in the second half and they threaten the Braintree goal with a move down the left and a curling long distance shot that Sims is at full stretch to concede a corner. From the restart Braintree break well down the right Will Davies eventually squares the ball to Matshazi who is on the edge of the box in a central position with his back to goal, again he spins his man but shoot straight at the keeper. Straight back down the other end and Sims to the rescue again this time stopping with his legs as the Chippenham player cuts into the area and shoots low across goal. Chippenham are beginning to dictate play and the energy seems to have waned from Braintree but no real scares as they defend well. Matshazi wins a free kick as he's about to break into the box, butt Blackwell fires the free kick a couple of yards over the bar. On 77 minutes Dawodu is withdrawn and Quantrell comes on. In the closing stages the Iron seem to have found a second wind and Blackwell cuts in from the right beating a couple of players and shoots near post where his shot is blocked on the line it comes to Quantrell just inside the box but his rushed effort goes wide. Henry in the Chippenham goal punches to the ball out under pressure from Will Davies and it falls to Lambe 22 yards out, but his first time volley is blazed over the bar. Lambe has a similar attempt minutes later with the same result. Four minutes added time and in the last minute Chippenham have their best chance as McClure turns his man inside the box and fires just over.
Over the 90 minute it was probably a fair result, some positive signs from new boy Matshazi, shooting practice required ahead of the bank holiday trip to Torquay.
Chippenham start better in the second half and they threaten the Braintree goal with a move down the left and a curling long distance shot that Sims is at full stretch to concede a corner. From the restart Braintree break well down the right Will Davies eventually squares the ball to Matshazi who is on the edge of the box in a central position with his back to goal, again he spins his man but shoot straight at the keeper. Straight back down the other end and Sims to the rescue again this time stopping with his legs as the Chippenham player cuts into the area and shoots low across goal. Chippenham are beginning to dictate play and the energy seems to have waned from Braintree but no real scares as they defend well. Matshazi wins a free kick as he's about to break into the box, butt Blackwell fires the free kick a couple of yards over the bar. On 77 minutes Dawodu is withdrawn and Quantrell comes on. In the closing stages the Iron seem to have found a second wind and Blackwell cuts in from the right beating a couple of players and shoots near post where his shot is blocked on the line it comes to Quantrell just inside the box but his rushed effort goes wide. Henry in the Chippenham goal punches to the ball out under pressure from Will Davies and it falls to Lambe 22 yards out, but his first time volley is blazed over the bar. Lambe has a similar attempt minutes later with the same result. Four minutes added time and in the last minute Chippenham have their best chance as McClure turns his man inside the box and fires just over.
Over the 90 minute it was probably a fair result, some positive signs from new boy Matshazi, shooting practice required ahead of the bank holiday trip to Torquay.
