Aldershot Town found themselves disappointed to not claim all three points as they drew 1-1 with ten-man Braintree Town at the EBB Stadium on Tuesday evening. A deflected Josh Barrett opener closely followed by a James Vennings red card looked to have seen the Shots heading for victory, though Chay Cooper’s equaliser against the run of play nicked a point for the visitors.
In what was a fourth game in eleven games for the Shots, Tommy Widdrington made three changes to the eleven that started the weekend’s defeat against FC Halifax Town, with Kwame Thomas, Ben Jackson and Maxwell Mullins coming in for Tristan Abrahams, James Clarridge and James Henry.
The Shots started the occasion with purpose, forging an early opportunity as Josh Barrett played in Ryan Jones down the left flank. The wing-back beat his marker and proceeded to infiltrate the Braintree box, before unleashing a ferocious ball across the face of goal that – should it have been met by a red shirt – would have resulted in a certain goal.
The host’s next chance would come via a corner, as a mistimed volleyed clearance from George Langston fell the way of Ben Jackson just six yards out. However, a crammed penalty area would force only a looping effort from the defender, which despite being on target, was cleared off the line acrobatically by Frankie terry.
Josh Barrett would take his first two shots of the night in quick succession as a corner routine allowed the forward an enticing amount of space on the edge of the area, though a well drilled and congested Irons defence blocked both efforts with aplomb.
Ever diverse, Ryan Hill found himself deployed in the number ten position from the off, a decision that would almost be vindicated as a deft reverse pass from Josh Barrett played Hill completely in behind the back line for the first time that evening. While an opening goal looked imminent, Mason Terry made himself big to produce a superb save, keeping the affair goalless.
A second successive start back from injury, Ryan Jones’ evening would be forced to end early after falling awkwardly on his shoulder, forcing a first half change with Hady Ghandour coming on and Ryan Hill returning to his more familiar wing-back position.
HALF-TIME
The visitors would forge a huge chance in the opening period of the second half, as a long thow from James Vennings found Terrell Works, who – having scored four in four for the Iron prior to the match – poked a standing right-footed effort with his back to goal which bounced upwards before looping onto the crossbar and back into play, James Clarridge doing well to clear to safety.
Shortly after, however, the Shots would turn defence into attack. Marcus Dewhurst’s long punt sailed all the way through the Braintree back line and into Hady Ghandour, who had timed his run suberply on the halfway line to find himself in on goal. the substitute was composed though may have regretted not shooting earlier, as a cut back onto his right-foot allowed Mason Terry to close him down to make the save only as far as Barrett, whose follow up effort was saved off the line by Marley Marshall-Miranda.
Fulham loanee Tyrell Works rattled the woodwork for a second time towards the hour mark, peeling away from Jed Meerholz on the right-hand side of the penalty area before unleashing a thunderous effort which clattered off the meeting of post and bar.
Having threatened well for most of the evening, Aldershot Town opened the scoring in the 65th minute. Archy Taylor drove well down the right before his low ball found Kwame Thomas with his back to goal. The striker held up superbly before laying off to a late-arriving Barrett, who – despite looking to have miss kicked his effort – found the back of the net via a deflection.
Just minutes after, the visitors were dealt another blow, as James Vennings’ late challenge saw the midfielder receive a second yellow card, sending the Iron down to ten men at a crucial point in the tie.
Archy Taylor thought he’d scored with quarter of an hour to go after his header connected perfectly from Dejan Tetek’s corner, though lacking the direction required, Mason Terry held well to keep the lead to one.
The Shots would come to regret not doubling their advantage, as a stray pass from Cameron Hargreaves would allow Chay Cooper to jink his way through the attacking third before getting a shot away off-balance. While the ball seemed to take an age to trickle towards the left-hand post, it would eventually nestle in the side netting, giving the Iron an unexpected equaliser with ten minutes to play.
Fresh off the bench, James Henry timed an attacking run to perfection after being played in by Hargreaves. Taking one touch before looking up, the former Oxford man’s shot – whilst hit well – sailed agonisingly high of the mark.
Attendance: 1,567 (47)
Shots lineup: 1. Marcus Dewhurst, 5. Ben Jackson, 7. Cameron Hargreaves, 9. Kwame Thomas, 10. Josh Barrett (C) (17. James Henry 66′), 11. Ryan Jones (23. Hady Ghandour 41′), 14. Jed Meerholz (30. Tristan Abrahams 87′), 19. Ryan Hill, 24. Maxwell Mullins, 28. Archy Taylor, 34. Dejan Tetek.
Subs not used: 16. Pat Nash, 15. Charlie Penman, 18. Kiban Rai, 32. James Clarridge.
Braintree lineup: 1. Mason Terry, 2. Aidan Francis-Clarke, 4. George Langston (C), 6. James Vennings, 8. Marley Marshall-Miranda, 11. Chay Cooper, 14. John Akinde (7. Tom Blackwell 72′), 17. Jacob Pinnington, 21. Regan Clayton (5. Manny Omrore 71′), 24. Frankie Terry, 38. Terrell Works (19. Freddie Hockey 83′).
Subs not used: 16. Goran Babic, 18. Sahid Kamara, 33. Oliver Davis, 39. Elliot Thorpe.
