Having made headlines for the wrong reasons this week, it's back to the football at Clarence Park, beautiful in the Autumn sunshine for the visit of Braintree Town. The Iron have struggled on and off the pitch this season and are just above the relegation zone. No former Saints but among their ranks is Championship Manager legend Kalam Mooniaruck.
Cookie has gone and so has Matt Glynn. Nic McDonnell joins Simon Martin on the transfer list and, with Wraight suspended and the treatment room full, caretaker manager, Steve Castle gives youth a chance. White in goal; 4 at the back: Gledhill, Seeby, Brown (C) and Murray; 4 in the middle: Williams, Deacon, Jamie Parsons and Tony Perfect; and up front: Martin and McDonnell. On the bench: Danny Cross, Jake Attwood, McDonnell, Reynolds and Hanson.
Both defences dominated from the start with barely a shot on target throughout. The absent work-rate of the past couple of weeks was on display today and Perfect in particular will be pleased with his contribution. Midway through the half, Seeby hit a long pass to Martin who beat the offside trap, took the ball into the area and was brought down by the keeper, but to the surprise of most in the ground, the referee waved play on.
The Saints were the livelier at the start of the second half and within minutes, a Martin header hit the bar after another good cross from Perfect. Moments later, a Brown was just too high from a corner. a Gledhill cross was well brought down by Martin who slipped his man to find space but blazed his shot high over the bar.
The visitors rallied and themselves hit the bar in the last few minutes of the game. Both sides seemed content with a point for the last few minutes and so it finished. F.T. 0-0.
For City, the back four were solid once again with Seeby impressing. The young midfield did well enough but tired as the game progressed and lacked an older head. Martin was lively today. Steve Castle will be pleased at a solid rather than spectacular team performance which did not lack for effort. Braintree were poor with litle creativity in the midfield. The striker Asombang looked dangerous but lacked service.
A subdued crowd of just under 300 with a vocal handful up from Essex.
Entertainment 5/10. Technical Merit 7/10. Referee 3/10. Atmosphere 5/10.
Match report by Homer |