MATCH REPORT: Chippenham Town 0-1 Braintree Town | National League South | Saturday 10th February 2024

Chippenham’s poor record against the Iron continued as they fell to a solitary goal defeat although they can count themselves unlucky having seen a ‘goal’ ruled out and two solid shouts for penalties dismissed by referee Shelby Elson. In fact the man in the middle missed several cynical ploys from the Essex side although booking four players for lesser misdemeanours in the opening half.

Chippenham started brightly with Freddie Grant misdirecting his header from a second minute Jake Evans corner.

Braintree’s Tom Blackwell then saw a free-kick and two corners produce no end product.

Midway through the half Iron’s Alfie Blair made an impressive run into the area as he outfoxed three defenders but his final ball did not hurt the Bluebirds.

Before the break Evans had a shot blocked whilst in the final minute of the half a Bluebird free-kick pinged around in the area before Craig Fasanmade found the net but his effort was ruled out for off side.

HALF TIME: Chippenham Town 0-0 Braintree Town

Eight minutes into the second half the visitors Alfie Payne blazed over from thirty yards out.

A minute later Fasanmade’s strong run took him into the box before being upended whilst on fifty six minutes Evans’ close range header appeared to be stopped from crossing the line by a hand but despite strong appeals neither shout ended in a penalty.

As the Bluebirds continued to press Dan Ellison headed over from a corner, Tyreke Johnson’s shot was blocked whilst Will King fired over. A quarter of an hour from time the Essex side scored the winning goal as Blackwell’s corner was headed home by Baris Altintop.

Five minutes later Blackwell should have made the game safe after he was played in by substitute Shaq Coulthirst but from close in he shot into the side netting.

Chippenham continued to search for an equalizer as long range efforts from Johnson and Luke Spokes failed to hit the target.

The Bluebirds wasted a golden opportunity in stoppage time as substitute Caine Bradbury burst into the box, but his shot was repelled and fellow substitute Spokes blazed the loose ball over, and the latter was again off target with the last meaningful action of the game.

FULL TIME: Chippenham Town 0-1 Braintree Town

Chippenham: Will Henry, Eddie Jones, Freddie Grant, Dan Ellison, Jem Hewlett (Caine Bradbury 77), Tom Mehew, Jake Evans (Luke Spokes 69), Will King, Tyreke Johnson, Ed Williams, Craig Fasanmade (Matt McClure 69) subs not used: Aaron Amadi-Holloway, Tom Owen-Evans

Braintree: Jack Sims, Leaon Davies, Baris Altintop, Joe Grimwood, Ben Tompkins, Tom Blackwell (Lewis Miccio (88), Alfie Payne, Aaron Blair, Jayden Davis (Shaq Coulthirst 61), Reggie Lambe, Alfie Pavey sub not used: Jack Roberts

Ref: Shelby Elson

Ass Refs: Sean Jenkins, Chris Williams

Att: 538