Braintree 1
(Blackwell 54′)
United 0
United tasted defeat in Essex on Saturday, as the ten men of Braintree battled back to secure a 1-0 win at Cressing Road.
Despite having to navigate the early setback of Alfie Pavey’s red card, it was the hosts who took the lead in the second half through Tom Blackwell, with the three points eventually secured thanks to some determined defending from The Iron.
Gary Johnson made two changes to the starting line up from the team beaten by Slough last Saturday, as Asa Hall and Dan Martin made way for Brad Ash & Ethon Archer, with Martin taking his place on the bench along with the returning Kevin Dawson, who made his first appearance in a matchday squad this season.
In what was a closely-fought first period, there was little to report in the way of goalscoring chances, although Braintree went close on 25 minutes as Blackwell forced a fine save out of Mark Halstead from a dangerous free-kick, with the United goalkeeper doing well to not only parry the ball away, but also take ownership of it at the second attempt.
A minute later though, and the Iron were on the back foot.
A poor challenge from Pavey on Ross Marshall left the man in the middle with a decision to make, and after taking a moment to assess his options, the referee gave the home striker his marching orders, leaving The Gulls with the boost of a man advantage.
Resilient defending from Town limited United to very little sight of goal, and despite their best efforts, it remained scoreless at the break.
Unfortunately, only a few minutes after the restart, Johnson’s side were rocked as the ten-men of Braintree took the lead.
Following Pavey’s dismissal, Blackwell was increasingly looking like Town’s most promising outlet, and he duly delivered on 54 minutes, as the hosts’ number 7 made his way into the area before rifling a shot over Halstead and into the roof of the net to break the deadlock.
Torquay responded with a couple of half-chances midway through the second half, with Tom Lapslie seeing a shot deflected wide of the post, and substitute Dillon De Silva firing a shot over, however Braintree’s well-marshalled defence remained in charge.
The welcome return of Kevin Dawson may have lifted the travelling Yellow Army’s spirits a little, however a bizarre red card to already substituted Lapslie with fifteen minutes remaining only added to the general air of frustration as the game entered its final stages.
In fact, it was the home side that went closest to scoring again, with only a last-gasp goal-line clearance from Austen Booth denying ex-Gull Shaquille Couthirst from making it 2-0.
Just when Johnson’s men looked to be consigned to defeat, they created their best opening in the fifth minute of stoppage-time.
Dawson’s delivery looked to be causing home ‘keeper Jack Sims trouble, but with the well-placed Dan Martin leaving nothing to chance, his headed effort from close-range was sadly off-target.
With that, went the chance of parity, with the final whistle confirming Braintree’s victory.
BRAINTREE TOWN: 1. Jack Sims, 2. Leon Davies, 4. Baris Altintop (c), 5. Joe Grimwood, 6. Ben Tompkins, 7. Tom Blackwell (3. Lewis Miccio, 90+4′), 8. Alfie Payne, 9. Aaron Blair (17. Charlie Wakefield, 81′), 15. Jayden Davis (10. Shaq Coulthirst, 66′), 16. Reggie Lambe, 29. Alfie Pavey.
SUBS NOT USED: 18. Jack Roberts.
Yellow Card: Davis 18′, Altintop 31′, Sims 45+3′
Red Card: Pavey 26′
UNITED: 1. Mark Halstead, 2. Arkell Jude-Boyd, 4. Tom Lapslie (28. Kevin Dawson, 70′), 5. Austen Booth, 6. Ross Marshall , 11. Brad Ash (17. Dillon De Silva, 57′), 14. Brett McGavin, 18. Will Jenkins Davies, 19. Duane Ofori-Acheampong, 21. Dean Moxey (c), 30. Ethon Archer (3. Dan Martin, 82′).
SUBS NOT USED: 16. Ronny Nelson, 22. Rhys Lovett.
Yellow Card: Lapslie 26′, Jude-Boyd 90+2′
Yellow/Red Card: Lapslie 75′