Braintree Town
1
Blair (58)
Slough Town
1
Cook-Appiah (73)
League
Attendance: 815
A strong away performance earned the Rebels a vital point against an in-form Braintree Town side, writes Joey Gargini.
Although the opening minutes saw both sides evenly matched, it was Slough with the first meaningful chance of the game. In the 14th minute, a fluid passage of play in the Braintree half led to Matt Lench unleashing a shot from outside the box, which was well saved by the Iron goalkeeper, Jack Sims.
In the 17th minute, a smart through ball from Baris Altintop found Shaq Coulthirst in the box. He unleashed a powerful strike at Dan Lincoln which was parried back to Coulthirst, who squared the ball to Altintop, but he was unable to convert, with his shot firing wide.
In the 23rd minute, Braintree failed to clear the ball out of their box which led to a chance for Johnny Goddard, whose shot was well blocked by Leon Davies.
Slough continued their pressure with a headed effort in the 33rd minute. A precise cross found Slavi Spasov, who directed the ball towards the top corner, but his effort was expertly saved by Sims.
In the 47th minute, impressive wide play from winger David Ogbonna helped him get past Altintop and continue his run with the ball down the wing, but his tempting cross couldn’t find a Slough forward to give the Rebels the lead.
Although it was a strong showing from the Rebels, it was the Iron who eventually opened the scoring in the 58th minute. Smart interplay between Coulthirst and Tom Blackwell led to a low cross from Blackwell to Aaron Blair, who tapped home to give Braintree the lead.
Slough fought back well and replied with a goal of their own in the 73rd minute. A burst of excellence down the right wing led to a pinpoint low cross from David Ogbonna that found debutant Trae Cook-Appiah, whose strike found the back of the net and brought Slough back into the game.
In the 80th minute, after impressive play down the left flank, Braintree’s Tom Blackwell tested Dan Lincoln with a strong effort which was well saved. The rebound led to the feet of Charlie Wakefield, but he was only able to find the side netting.
Slough mounted one last attack in the 85th minute. A quick, fluid counterattack from the Rebels saw goal-scorer Cook-Appiah receive the ball in the box, but his shot only found the gloves of Sims.
A draw sees Slough remain in 10th position and four points off the playoffs. Their next game is against National League South strugglers Havant & Waterlooville at Westleigh Park, where Scott Davies’ men will look to extend their unbeaten away record.
Although the opening minutes saw both sides evenly matched, it was Slough with the first meaningful chance of the game. In the 14th minute, a fluid passage of play in the Braintree half led to Matt Lench unleashing a shot from outside the box, which was well saved by the Iron goalkeeper, Jack Sims.
In the 17th minute, a smart through ball from Baris Altintop found Shaq Coulthirst in the box. He unleashed a powerful strike at Dan Lincoln which was parried back to Coulthirst, who squared the ball to Altintop, but he was unable to convert, with his shot firing wide.
In the 23rd minute, Braintree failed to clear the ball out of their box which led to a chance for Johnny Goddard, whose shot was well blocked by Leon Davies.
Slough continued their pressure with a headed effort in the 33rd minute. A precise cross found Slavi Spasov, who directed the ball towards the top corner, but his effort was expertly saved by Sims.
In the 47th minute, impressive wide play from winger David Ogbonna helped him get past Altintop and continue his run with the ball down the wing, but his tempting cross couldn’t find a Slough forward to give the Rebels the lead.
Although it was a strong showing from the Rebels, it was the Iron who eventually opened the scoring in the 58th minute. Smart interplay between Coulthirst and Tom Blackwell led to a low cross from Blackwell to Aaron Blair, who tapped home to give Braintree the lead.
Slough fought back well and replied with a goal of their own in the 73rd minute. A burst of excellence down the right wing led to a pinpoint low cross from David Ogbonna that found debutant Trae Cook-Appiah, whose strike found the back of the net and brought Slough back into the game.
In the 80th minute, after impressive play down the left flank, Braintree’s Tom Blackwell tested Dan Lincoln with a strong effort which was well saved. The rebound led to the feet of Charlie Wakefield, but he was only able to find the side netting.
Slough mounted one last attack in the 85th minute. A quick, fluid counterattack from the Rebels saw goal-scorer Cook-Appiah receive the ball in the box, but his shot only found the gloves of Sims.
A draw sees Slough remain in 10th position and four points off the playoffs. Their next game is against National League South strugglers Havant & Waterlooville at Westleigh Park, where Scott Davies’ men will look to extend their unbeaten away record.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Dan Lincoln
- 2 Josh Jackman
- 5 Dan Bayliss
- 6 Jeanmal Prosper
- 8 Matthew Lench
- 9 Nathan Minhas 13
- 10 Johnny Goddard
- 12 Leon Chambers-Parillon 11
- 14 Scott Davies
- 23 David Ogbonna
- 24 Slavi Spasov
Substitutes
- 4 Joe Dandy
- 11 Christie Ward 12
- 19 Trae Cook-Appiah 9
- 26 Oliver Spicer
- 13 Hugo Sobte
Braintree Town Lineup
Jack Sims, Leon Davies, Baris Altintop (c), Joe Grimwood, Ben Tompkins, Tom Blackwell, Alfie Payne, Aaron Blair (Charlie Wakefield 77), Shaq Coulthirst, Jayden Davis (Reggie Lambe 46), Dominic Odusanya. Unused substitutes: Lewis Miccio, Gio Crichlow, Jack Roberts.