Aldershot Town 2-2 Braintree Town - Tuesday 14th January 2025 (Match Day Thread)

[Brianb]

I think the fans are already on their way. only 1437 last night for a crucial 6 pointer. and nothing to show for those. How many will turn up again for the next match with so many die hard fans now not going. Perhaps we should organise a boycott, although even that probably wouldn't bother our chairman.

[Johnboy]

Braintree's view of the game.

How the Iron didn't come away from the EBB Stadium on Tuesday evening with all three points will remain a mystery to their 40-odd fans in the 1,437 crowd because they had so many clear-cut scoring chances to have won by a final scoreline of around 6-2.
Playing some of their most attractive attacking football of the season the Iron were on top form from the start and took the lead after only three minutes when the ever alert Kyrell Lisbie out ran the home rearguard to drive the ball low into the home net.
Three minutes later Jermaine Francis repeated the same run and he really should have scored but incredibly clear on goal he drove his shot just wide of the post.
With the Iron clearly on top from the start the chances kept coming and going and only a couple of goal line clearances too stopped them from again adding to their tally.
There was disappointment though when the Iron out of the blue conceded a goal on 16 minutes through simply poor marking in a home breakaway attack that saw James Henry given too much time inside the area to drill the ball into the Iron net.
The home side then took a surprise lead on 24 minutes when again a dreadful piece of schoolboy defending by George Langston allowed Josh Barrett to lob the ball over the head of stranded Iron debutant keeper Henry Gray which again was much against the run of play.
The end to end action saw plenty of further chances for the Iron but they did equalise on 39 minutes when John Akinde, playing his best in an Iron shirt, converted a low, right wing into the home net.
In reality had the Iron come in at half-time at least 4-2 up home fans could have had no complaints and although the second half wasn't quite as exciting there was still plenty of goalmouth action at both ends and again the Iron failed to capitalise when they had pulled the home defence all over the place.
Apart from young keeper Gray making an impressive debut so did new on loan young Luton Town full-back Jacob Pinnington who had an outstanding game and he created the Iron's equaliser with a smart move down the right wing.
The third newcomer for the Iron on the night was another Luton Town loanee, 20 year-old defender Aidan Francis-Clark, who came on as a late substitute and really all three new boys made encouraging debuts on the night.
The home side did rally late on in the final 15 minutes but full marks to the Iron defence they did well in keeping the home forwards at bay with Gray in particular pulling off a tremendous flying save late on pushing the ball round the post for a corner.
Right at the death in added on time Akinde had the perfect opportunity to have won all three point for his side when unmarked at the far post from a right wing free kick and standing almost on the goalline somehow he nodded the ball literally inches outside the post when it seemed easier to found the net.
Overall though this was a most encouraging all round display from the Iron and if the defence can stamp out the silly errors and conceding poor goals the New Year prospects now look much brighter.

[chimpster99]

I don't understand the thinking behind criticising plans to replace the East Bank and on the very next line bemoaning the "crumbling" ground and away fans facilities. You can't do one without the other!

I agree with everything else though...

The cub can update the facilities we have and carry out a sympathetic, affordable and manageable upgrade of the Rec without destroying its most historic and attractive feature. The current redevelopment plans are madness.

[aldershot-jg]

Braintree's view of the game.

How the Iron didn't come away from the EBB Stadium on Tuesday evening with all three points will remain a mystery to their 40-odd fans in the 1,437 crowd because they had so many clear-cut scoring chances to have won by a final scoreline of around 6-2.
Playing some of their most attractive attacking football of the season the Iron were on top form from the start and took the lead after only three minutes when the ever alert Kyrell Lisbie out ran the home rearguard to drive the ball low into the home net.
Three minutes later Jermaine Francis repeated the same run and he really should have scored but incredibly clear on goal he drove his shot just wide of the post.
With the Iron clearly on top from the start the chances kept coming and going and only a couple of goal line clearances too stopped them from again adding to their tally.
There was disappointment though when the Iron out of the blue conceded a goal on 16 minutes through simply poor marking in a home breakaway attack that saw James Henry given too much time inside the area to drill the ball into the Iron net.
The home side then took a surprise lead on 24 minutes when again a dreadful piece of schoolboy defending by George Langston allowed Josh Barrett to lob the ball over the head of stranded Iron debutant keeper Henry Gray which again was much against the run of play.
The end to end action saw plenty of further chances for the Iron but they did equalise on 39 minutes when John Akinde, playing his best in an Iron shirt, converted a low, right wing into the home net.
In reality had the Iron come in at half-time at least 4-2 up home fans could have had no complaints and although the second half wasn't quite as exciting there was still plenty of goalmouth action at both ends and again the Iron failed to capitalise when they had pulled the home defence all over the place.
Apart from young keeper Gray making an impressive debut so did new on loan young Luton Town full-back Jacob Pinnington who had an outstanding game and he created the Iron's equaliser with a smart move down the right wing.
The third newcomer for the Iron on the night was another Luton Town loanee, 20 year-old defender Aidan Francis-Clark, who came on as a late substitute and really all three new boys made encouraging debuts on the night.
The home side did rally late on in the final 15 minutes but full marks to the Iron defence they did well in keeping the home forwards at bay with Gray in particular pulling off a tremendous flying save late on pushing the ball round the post for a corner.
Right at the death in added on time Akinde had the perfect opportunity to have won all three point for his side when unmarked at the far post from a right wing free kick and standing almost on the goalline somehow he nodded the ball literally inches outside the post when it seemed easier to found the net.
Overall though this was a most encouraging all round display from the Iron and if the defence can stamp out the silly errors and conceding poor goals the New Year prospects now look much brighter.

Just a tad biased, both teams wasted just as many good chances as the other. Either of us could have won and each will feel that they should have. Braintree were one of the worst teams I've seen this season so to not win last night was very frustrating, we've performed better than that and lost this season, if that is Braintree's best performance then they should be concerned.

[Alex]

Braintree's view of the game.

How the Iron didn't come away from the EBB Stadium on Tuesday evening with all three points will remain a mystery to their 40-odd fans in the 1,437 crowd because they had so many clear-cut scoring chances to have won by a final scoreline of around 6-2.
Playing some of their most attractive attacking football of the season the Iron were on top form from the start and took the lead after only three minutes when the ever alert Kyrell Lisbie out ran the home rearguard to drive the ball low into the home net.
Three minutes later Jermaine Francis repeated the same run and he really should have scored but incredibly clear on goal he drove his shot just wide of the post.
With the Iron clearly on top from the start the chances kept coming and going and only a couple of goal line clearances too stopped them from again adding to their tally.
There was disappointment though when the Iron out of the blue conceded a goal on 16 minutes through simply poor marking in a home breakaway attack that saw James Henry given too much time inside the area to drill the ball into the Iron net.
The home side then took a surprise lead on 24 minutes when again a dreadful piece of schoolboy defending by George Langston allowed Josh Barrett to lob the ball over the head of stranded Iron debutant keeper Henry Gray which again was much against the run of play.
The end to end action saw plenty of further chances for the Iron but they did equalise on 39 minutes when John Akinde, playing his best in an Iron shirt, converted a low, right wing into the home net.
In reality had the Iron come in at half-time at least 4-2 up home fans could have had no complaints and although the second half wasn't quite as exciting there was still plenty of goalmouth action at both ends and again the Iron failed to capitalise when they had pulled the home defence all over the place.
Apart from young keeper Gray making an impressive debut so did new on loan young Luton Town full-back Jacob Pinnington who had an outstanding game and he created the Iron's equaliser with a smart move down the right wing.
The third newcomer for the Iron on the night was another Luton Town loanee, 20 year-old defender Aidan Francis-Clark, who came on as a late substitute and really all three new boys made encouraging debuts on the night.
The home side did rally late on in the final 15 minutes but full marks to the Iron defence they did well in keeping the home forwards at bay with Gray in particular pulling off a tremendous flying save late on pushing the ball round the post for a corner.
Right at the death in added on time Akinde had the perfect opportunity to have won all three point for his side when unmarked at the far post from a right wing free kick and standing almost on the goalline somehow he nodded the ball literally inches outside the post when it seemed easier to found the net.
Overall though this was a most encouraging all round display from the Iron and if the defence can stamp out the silly errors and conceding poor goals the New Year prospects now look much brighter.

Just a tad biased, both teams wasted just as many good chances as the other. Either of us could have won and each will feel that they should have. Braintree were one of the worst teams I've seen this season so to not win last night was very frustrating, we've performed better than that and lost this season, if that is Braintree's best performance then they should be concerned.

What were our other ‘good chances’ because I can’t remember too many?

As I said in a post last night, lots of huff and puff and attacks but very little threat and not too many decent efforts on goal.

Armitage hit the base of the post with a free header when he should’ve scored.

For me, Braintree definitely had the better opportunities to score.

[Alf W]

I read both clubs’ “match reports” and fair to say both are understandably biased.Undeniably though the Lisbee and Akinde headers at the ends of each halves were the worst misses of the evening as they were point blank and unchallenged .I didn’t think Braintree were any good but thought defensively we were an absolute shambles and Tetek, R Jones who have both been in sparkling form recently, were poor.

[supershots]

I don't understand the thinking behind criticising plans to replace the East Bank and on the very next line bemoaning the "crumbling" ground and away fans facilities. You can't do one without the other!

I agree with everything else though...

The cub can update the facilities we have and carry out a sympathetic, affordable and manageable upgrade of the Rec without destroying its most historic and attractive feature. The current redevelopment plans are madness.

Well said, we must not bow to the greed of the developers to grab every inch of land and leave us with crumbs, still think that building on all the land and moving to land outside of the town (Queens Avenue opposite military stadium)

[IanShots]

I read both clubs’ “match reports” and fair to say both are understandably biased.Undeniably though the Lisbee and Akinde headers at the ends of each halves were the worst misses of the evening as they were point blank and unchallenged .I didn’t think Braintree were any good but thought defensively we were an absolute shambles and Tetek, R Jones who have both been in sparkling form recently, were poor.

I think we hit the woodwork three times and they missed three absolute sitters.

A 5-5 draw would have been a fair result and a good summing up of how total **** both defences were

[Alex]

I read both clubs’ “match reports” and fair to say both are understandably biased.Undeniably though the Lisbee and Akinde headers at the ends of each halves were the worst misses of the evening as they were point blank and unchallenged .I didn’t think Braintree were any good but thought defensively we were an absolute shambles and Tetek, R Jones who have both been in sparkling form recently, were poor.

I think we hit the woodwork three times

Armitage should’ve scored.
Theo should’ve pulled the ball back.
What was the third occasion?

[Village Shot]

Josh Barrett first half hit the crossbar.

[IanShots]

Josh Barrett first half hit the crossbar.

That’s right

[Alex]

Josh Barrett first half hit the crossbar.

I honestly don’t remember that!

[Sean Chambers]

I don't understand the thinking behind criticising plans to replace the East Bank and on the very next line bemoaning the "crumbling" ground and away fans facilities. You can't do one without the other!

I agree with everything else though...

The cub can update the facilities we have and carry out a sympathetic, affordable and manageable upgrade of the Rec without destroying its most historic and attractive feature. The current redevelopment plans are madness.

Agreed and having basic things like running water coming out of the taps in the men’s toilet would help, as there wasn’t any last night in the outside toilet near the away end.

I have emailed the club to let them know.

[Old Bob]

Josh Barrett first half hit the crossbar.

Frosty hit the crossbar in the second half from a short corner. (I love short corners.)

[Alex]

I don't understand the thinking behind criticising plans to replace the East Bank and on the very next line bemoaning the "crumbling" ground and away fans facilities. You can't do one without the other!

I agree with everything else though...

The cub can update the facilities we have and carry out a sympathetic, affordable and manageable upgrade of the Rec without destroying its most historic and attractive feature. The current redevelopment plans are madness.

Agreed and having basic things like running water coming out of the taps in the men’s toilet would help, as there wasn’t any last night in the outside toilet near the away end.

I have emailed the club to let them know.

Need a decent working hand dryer or two too!