This Wednesday marks another matchday for the Shots in what has been a busy, yet incredibly successful February so far. This time round the Shots head to Essex as they take on Braintree in the Enterprise National League, who currently sit in the relegation zone with 30 points.
Established in 1898, Braintree are yet to reach the heights of the EFL, with their highest finish coming in the 2015/16 season, when they made the National League play-offs. Since then, they have yo-yo’ed between the 5th and 6th tiers, being relegated and promoted twice until 2024, remaining in the Enterprise National League since.
Coincidentally, this is the second time that the Shots play ‘The Iron’ this week after our game with Scunthorpe last Saturday, as Braintree have adopted the same nickname. It comes from the club’s founding roots in the iron industry, where they began as the staff team for the Crittal Window Company who specialised in window metal-work.
RECENT FORM
Braintree have had a tough time of late, recording just one win since December. They have had some tough defeats including a 5-0 loss to promotion-chasing York City as well as a cup defeat to bottom of the league side Truro. Scoring goals has been a problem for The Irons all season, and they are currently the lowest scoring team in the division with just 23.
21st Feb – Altrincham 2 – 1 Braintree
14th Feb – Braintree 0 – 0 Solihull
11th Feb – Sutton 1 – 1 Braintree
31st Jan – Braintree 2 – 1 Eastleigh
27th Jan – Truro 1 – 1 Braintree (Truro win 3-0 on pens, National League Cup)
24th Jan – York 5 – 0 Braintree
PREVIOUS MEETINGS AND REVERSE FIXTURE
There have been 13 encounters between the two sides, with the Shots coming out more favourably having won 6 times while our hosts have won 4 four. The fixture has regularly been a close one, with there being just a one goal difference in 6 previous bouts, and a draw in 3.
Last time out saw the Shots let go of a 1-0 lead late on in what felt like a loss against 10 men. Josh Barrett scored the goal after a deflected strike from Kwame Thomas, before the visitors equalised inside the last 10 minutes. This time round, the Shots will be hopeful to put the game to bed much earlier on, and with three first half goals in last Saturday’s outing against Scunthorpe they have every chance of doing so.
IN THE DUGOUT
Steve Pitt is the man in charge for our hosts on Wednesday night and will be desperate for a victory to pull his side out of the bottom four. Since his appointment in December 2024, Pitt helped to keep the club in the division after a very poor start to last season’s campaign, reaching 17th place and avoiding the drop by 4 points.
Pitt has remained in and around the Essex area throughout his managerial career thus far, working with FC Clacton, Leiston, Chelmsford and Billericay amongst others before landing the Braintree job. With an emphasis on defensive cohesion, Pitt’s approach will make Braintree a difficult team to break down, but with the Shots currently in fine scoring form the man in charge will not have an easy task this Wednesday.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Frankie Terry (Left-Back):
The Colchester loanee has played every game but one for The Iron in the Enterprise National League since joining and is the only defender in the squad to have contributed to the team’s goal tally, scoring twice this season. Terry can be a consistent thorn in the side of any team he faces down the left hand side and the Shots will need to be wary of his ability to venture forwards from the back line.
Chay Cooper (Attacking-midfielder):
The Braintree attacker is top of the assists chart for the club this season with 5 in total. He has enjoyed success in the wide areas so far and may look to link up with Frankie Terry to create a potential danger down the left flank. The Shots may be able to exploit his explosive personality, as Cooper has been subject to 4 stoppage-time bookings this season, including one red card in the 90+9th minute against Wealdstone.
TICKET INFO
Tickets for our Wednesday night clash with Braintree Town can be bought online by clicking HERE.
Ticket prices are as follows:
ADULT (cash/card) – £22.00
ADULT (online) – £20.00
CONCESSION – £15.00
U18 – £10.00
U12 – £5.00
Please note: additional booking fees as well as same day purchasing fees may apply. Segregation is in use for this fixture, so travelling support must enter the Rare Breed Meat Co. Stadium through gates 7 and 8. The away fan zone is open from 1pm onwards, with refreshments available for travelling fans.
Address: The Rare Breed Meat Co. Stadium, off Clockhouse Way, Braintree, Essex CM7 3DE
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT
Live updates will be available from our social media platforms X (@OfficialShots), Instagram (@aldershottownfcofficial), and Facebook. After the game, highlights will be available on our YouTube channel.
The game can be streamed via DAZN’s National League TV coverage. Click HERE to purchase a match pass.
There will be live commentary of the game provided by BBC Radio Surrey.
