MATCH REPORT: Braintree Town 0-0 Chippenham Town | National League South | Saturday 26th August 2023

A resilient performance from the Bluebirds saw them leave Essex with a point – their first draw of the season.

Braintree started on the front foot and Will Henry was called upon to make two saves in the opening four minutes as he thwarted both Arnold Matshazi and Will Davies.

On thirteen minutes a Bluebird clearance fell to Josh Dawodu whose attempted cross went behind.

As the Iron continued to press Henry did superbly to tip over Matshazi’s twenty five yard shot.

The resulting corner saw Will Davies’ headed effort go wide.

The Essex side went close just after the half hour when Dawodu found Will Davies but he was thwarted by Henry.

The Bluebirds’ stopper again did well six minutes before the break when good work from Tom Blackwell saw him find Reggie Lambe two yards from goal but again Henry came to the fore.

After the break it was the turn of Iron keeper Jack Sims to excel as he thwarted both Caine Bradbury and Alex Bray, turning away a shot destined for the top corner and two minutes later blocking a goalbound shot with his leg.

Five minutes from time Braintree’s Tom Blackwell saw his effort blocked on the line and substitute George Quantrell fired the rebound wide.

A minute later Henry’s punch fell to Lambe whose first time effort cleared the bar. 

In the fourth minute of stoppage time Matt McClure fired over for the Bluebirds.

Chippenham: Will Henry, Eddie Jones, Luke Haines, Nat Williams, Freddie Grant, Tyreke Johnson (Craig Fasanmade 70), Jake Evans, Caine Bradbury (Mal Nicholls 82), Will King, Alex Bray, Matt McClure subs not used: Owen Windsor, Leighton Tuodolo, George Abbott

Braintree: Jack Sims, Josh Dawodu (George Quantrell 77), Leon Davies, Joe Grimwood, Kyran Clements, Ben Tompkins, Tom Blackwell, Alfie Payne, Will Davies, Arnold Matshazi, Reggie Lambe subs not used: Josh Blunkell, Michael Brothers, Garry Hart, Ryan Hart

Ref: A. George

Att: 516