MATCH REPORT: Braintree Town 1-1 Chippenham Town | National League South | Thurs 29th Dec 2022
The Bluebirds earned a well-earned point at Braintree who have not been beaten on home soil this season. Both goals came after the break with Chippenham opening the scoring before being pegged back
There was little goalmouth action in the first half as the first chance on seven minutes fell to Alfie Santos whose shot was blocked.
Two minutes later Joe Hanks’ cross was headed onto the roof of the net by Alex Bray.
On twenty seven minutes Willie Clemons found Matt Rush whose shot was blocked.
Six minutes later the Iron’s Leon Davies was off target with a shot.
A Santos corner then ended with Jordan Young firing over.
A minute before the break the hosts lost Alfie Matthews with a head injury.
The final action of the half saw substitute Aaron Blair shoot over the bar.
HALF TIME: Braintree Town 0-0 Chippenham Town
The Bluebirds opened the scoring on fifty one minutes after good work by Hanks who won the ball off Jack Paxman for Young to score.
The home side were galvanised into action as Will Henry saved an effort from Rush.
Henry then hit a clearance straight into the face of Blair with the ball rebounding just past a post.
Leighton Tuodolo then raced from his own half before seeing his shot blocked.
The Essex side equalized a quarter of an hour from time when the Bluebirds defence failed to clear a long throw from Jack Cawley and Kyran Clements fired home.
Henry then failed to hold a shot and as the ball was hit back towards goal it hit Willie Clemons’ head on the line and bounced over.
On seventy eight minutes Cawley picked up his second yellow card in nine minutes and was dismissed.
Henry then held an effort from substitute Lamar Reynolds whilst Rush shot over the bar.
Four minutes from time the Essex side saw three efforts all rebuffed by the Chippenham defence whilst in the final minute Chippenham substitute Harry Parsons went one on one and scored but the effort was ruled out for off side.
In stoppage time substitute Alfie Payne fired over for the hosts. Chippenham also brought on Twariq Yousef, who is on loan from Brackley Town, and the young midfielder showed some promising touches.
FULL TIME: Braintree Town 1-1 Chippenham Town
Chippenham: Will Henry, Leighton Tuodolo, Spencer Hamilton, Will Richards, Alfie Santos, Jordan Young, Alex Bray (Twariq Yousef 65), Joe Hanks (Harry Parsons 77), Tom Mehew (Callum Gunner 74), Will Tizzard, Luke Russe subs not used: Joe Parker, Will King
Braintree: Jack Sims, Willie Clemons, Jack Cawley, Baris Altintop, John White, Kyran Clements, Jon Benton (Lamar Reynolds 65), Leon Davies, Alfie Matthews (Aaron Blair 44), Jack Paxman (Alfie Payne 72), Matt Rush subs not used: Kyron Farrell, Chris Regis
Ref: George Laflin
Ass Refs: Fabio Roque, Tommy Breen
