The Shots’ first midweek action of the 24/25 season sees us travel to the Rare Breed Meat Co. Stadium to take on Braintree Town.
The Iron’s promotion to the National League last season saw them return to the highest level the club has played at since it’s formation in 1898. They gained promotion to the National League South for the first time in 2006 and went one step further five years later as they reached National League level for the first time as they won the National League South.
They remained in the National League for six years but were relegated in 2017, despite finishing third the season before and losing to Grimsby Town in the Playoff Semi-Final. They came straight back up at the first time of asking, but were relegated again the following season, remaining in the National League South until this year.
Braintree finished last season in fifth, beating Bath City 1-0 in the Playoff Quarter-Final, before a 3-2 win over rivals Chelmsford City set up a final clash with third-placed Worthing. A goal fest saw the sides level at 3-3 with the 90 minutes up, but Reggie Lambe scored in the second-half of extra time to see the Iron return to the National League.
LAST TIME OUT
With Braintree Town’s relegation out of the National League in 2019, it’s been over five years since the two sides met in February 2019.
The Shots took the lead in the 66th minute through Reece Grant, and despite a red card from Scott Rendell in the last few minutes of the second half, the Shots managed to take home the three points.
BRAINTREE’S SEASON SO FAR
Braintree have lost both of their opening two games this campaign.
Their season started with a tricky trip to Oldham Athletic, who ran out 3-0 winners thanks to goals from Jesurun Uchegbulum, Harry Charsley and Mike Fondop.
Their first home game of the season saw them come up against the winners of the National League South, but Yeovil Town came out on top as Morgan Williams scored the only goal of the game.
IN THE DUGOUT
At just 36-years-old, Angelo Harrop is one of the younger Managers in the National League this season, and has been at the helm at the Rare Breed Meat Co. Stadium since May 2022.
Harrop started his managerial career in 2013 and was at AFC Sudbury before joining Braintree, where he guided them to back-to-back playoff finishes, despite the Iron finishing in 17th when Harrop took over.
FORMER SHOTS
Inih Effiong will be a name very familiar to Shots fans for his goals in the 22/23 season. The striker scored 17 goals in 31 appearances for the Shots, and joined Braintree this summer.
James Vennings is another summer arrival at Braintree and played 13 times for the Shots on loan from Charlton in the 21/22 season.
TICKET INFO
Tickets for our first Tuesday night game of the 24/25 Vanarama National League season against Braintree Town can be bought online by clicking HERE
Please note that online ticket purchases include a 4.5% booking fee.
Prices are as follows:
- Adult: £20
- Concession: £15
- Under 18: £10
- Under 12: £5
Our clash with Braintree Town will be segregated and as a result, Shots supporters will need to enter the ground via gates 7 & 8.
The image above shows the route to get to the away turnstiles and the red area is a newly implemented fan zone for away supporters, serving refreshments throughout the game.
How to get there:
Address: The Rare Breed Meat Co. Stadium, off Clockhouse Way, Braintree, Essex CM7 3DE
Directions: leave the M11 at Junction 8 and head east on the A120. After sixteen miles take the first exit at ‘Galley’s Corner’ roundabout. Clockhouse Way is approximately three-quarters of a mile on your left and the ground is sign-posted.
