Match Report | Cards and Iron cancel each other out

Braintree Town 0-0 Woking
Vanarama National League
7th September 2024

Michael Doyle made four changes following defeat at Rochdale, with Timi Odusina not being risked on Braintree’s surface, replaced by Ben Wynter, whilst Charley Kendall, Matt Ward and debutant Raheem Conte came in for Dion Kelly-Evans, Deon Moore and Harry Beautyman.

The Iron had drawn their last three before this one, and lined up with former Woking striker Inih Effiong on the bench, as former Barnet talisman John Akinde was preferred to lead the line.

In autumnal conditions, a slow burner of a contest struggled to get going, with Braintree’s physical back line looking strong up against the quick, dynamic Conte and Ward on opposite flanks. Much of the threat posed by the hosts came from set pieces and balls into the box, meaning Will Jaaskelainen had to be strong in and around his six-yard box.

Eventually, he was tested after 20 minutes by Chay Cooper, but dealt with the danger accordingly, saving well from the former Colchester and Hartlepool man’s long shot.

Charley Kendall was leading the line alone for much of the contest, and the best chance he got in the first half was his attempted lob over Lucas Covolan, but the Brazilian gathered.

The first half came to a close with neither side coming remotely close to breaking the deadlock, in what was appearing to be a stalemate.

Half-time: Braintree Town 0-0 Woking

It was more of the same after half time, with the only notable action being Marley Marshall-Miranda’s effort flying over the bar with twenty minutes left.

There was a debut for Millwall loanee Tom Leahy after 73 minutes, with Matt Ward withdrawn. Michael Doyle seemingly had one eye on Tuesday night after Kendall went off for Lewis Walker with ten minutes left.

Braintree themselves made all four of their available changes as Angelo Harrop deals with a depleted squad; two players are on international duty, Matt Robinson was of course unable to play due to his loan agreement and Christie Ward, Paris Lock and Frankie Terry were all signed on loan before this fixture to bolster the squad.

It should therefore be unsurprising that this one was a damp squib of a fixture, as Braintree have now drawn three of their last four games 0-0, seemingly lacking options themselves whilst the Cards will look to bed in the likes of Conte and Leahy over the next few weeks.

All eyes are on midweek, where the Cards kick off a home double-header against Wealdstone, before hosting Oldham next Saturday, with the opportunity to pick up more home points after two wins in their first three games at the Laithwaite.


Woking: Jaaskelainen, Moss, Wynter, Harries, Dyche, Conte, Gorman, Akinola, Andrews, Ward (Leahy 73’), Kendall (Walker 80’)

Subs: Anderson, Beautyman, Jones, Kelly-Evans, Webber

Bookings: Gorman 33’, Wynter 84’

Braintree Town: Covolan, Terry, Fyfield, Grimwood, Langston Vennings, Marshall-Miranda, Lisbie (Lock 89′), Cooper (Ward 82′), Blackwell (Powell 66′) ,Akinde (Effiong 75′)

Attendance: 1,129