Post by dbbn on Oct 14, 2023 20:28:54 GMT
Braintree have to try again after a tight affair at the Rare Breed Meet Company Stadium this afternoon. I can't comment on the first half hour as I was engaged elsewhere. Team selection saw a start in goal for loanee Vicente Reyes from Norwich City, with Jack Sims still suffering from his shoulder injury and Blunkell cup tied. Two players Reggie Lambe and Matt Carson were away on international duty, which saw a return at left back for Toby Stevenson and Quantrell starting in midfield. According to the Twitter feed the first half hour saw Blackwell and Watt have two efforts each at goal with Stevenson also going close. The closing fifteen minutes of the half saw plenty of endeavor but a lack of any real quality or clear chances.
The Iron almost scored in their first attack of the second half following a corner, the ball drops to Quantrell 20 yards out who hits a sweet volley through a crowd of players and thumps against the post and away. The following 15/20 minutes saw the visitors getting on top as Braintree gave away possession too easily. Andrade has a strike at goal having been played in on the right of the area but Stevenson gets in a good block. On sixty seven minutes and Braintree hit the woodwork for a second time again, Ben Watt picking up the ball 30 yards out sends a rasping shot that smashed against the crossbar. Minutes later and Watt is fouled 2 yards outside the left hand side of the box, Blackwell tries a right footed curler but it's too close to the keeper and he tips it over the bar. Quantrell is the first to be subbed in an effort to change the game with Sparkes coming on with just under 15 minutes left. The sub has a shot from outside the box which appears to strike a Chesham hand, but no penalty is given. The visitors threaten after Grimwood is caught in possession but the low cross is gathered by Reyes before it reaches the unmarked striker at the far post. On 90 a double substitution sees Blackwell and Payne withdrawn and Leon Davies and Herschel on. Five minutes added time and in the dying seconds the visitors almost steal the tie, caught napping by a short corner the cross is blocked and a scramble ensues but thankfully the ball doesn't fall kindly for Chesham.
Much work is to be done to win this tie, especially as the Iron have yet to win an away game this season and with six draws in the current nine game unbeaten League/Cup run, it may be a good time to start practicing penalties!
The Iron almost scored in their first attack of the second half following a corner, the ball drops to Quantrell 20 yards out who hits a sweet volley through a crowd of players and thumps against the post and away. The following 15/20 minutes saw the visitors getting on top as Braintree gave away possession too easily. Andrade has a strike at goal having been played in on the right of the area but Stevenson gets in a good block. On sixty seven minutes and Braintree hit the woodwork for a second time again, Ben Watt picking up the ball 30 yards out sends a rasping shot that smashed against the crossbar. Minutes later and Watt is fouled 2 yards outside the left hand side of the box, Blackwell tries a right footed curler but it's too close to the keeper and he tips it over the bar. Quantrell is the first to be subbed in an effort to change the game with Sparkes coming on with just under 15 minutes left. The sub has a shot from outside the box which appears to strike a Chesham hand, but no penalty is given. The visitors threaten after Grimwood is caught in possession but the low cross is gathered by Reyes before it reaches the unmarked striker at the far post. On 90 a double substitution sees Blackwell and Payne withdrawn and Leon Davies and Herschel on. Five minutes added time and in the dying seconds the visitors almost steal the tie, caught napping by a short corner the cross is blocked and a scramble ensues but thankfully the ball doesn't fall kindly for Chesham.
Much work is to be done to win this tie, especially as the Iron have yet to win an away game this season and with six draws in the current nine game unbeaten League/Cup run, it may be a good time to start practicing penalties!
