Braintree v Darlo Preview

Quakers will travel south to Essex this weekend to take on Conference Premier newcomers Braintree Town. Darlo could well change things up front as Mark Cooper’s side have not been at their best offensively of late.

Strikers James Walshaw and Liam Hatch could both miss out after some lack lustre displays in Quakers recent games. Young forward Ryan Bowman who already has 3 goals this term from only a handful of full appearances could well be involved from the start at Braintree as Darlo look to boost their goal shy forward line.

If Darlo boss Cooper opt to leave both Walshaw and Hatch out it is far less clear just who else would come into the side. Former Newcastle Benfield marksmen John Campbell has not been involved in the first teams last few games so it is unclear whether he has a future at the Northern Echo Arena.

Another attacking option would be to select Marc Bridge-Wilkinson just behind a loan striker a strategy that worked well last season when the experienced former Carlisle and Port Vale schemer first joined the Quakers. Adam Rundle could also be used in this position though it is thought that Rundle is likely to remain in his wide midfield role.

In defence Jonatan Sanchez-Munoz’s starting berth looks to be under severve threat after the young Spaniard had to be replaced during the early stages of Darlo’s midweek game after the player came over dizzy after not eating for a number of hours prior to kick off. Graham Lee is almost certain to come into the side if he is passed fit however Michael Brough or Greg Taylor could be asked to play slightly out of position in the centre of defence if the experienced Lee is not able to take to the field at Braintree’s Cressing Road Ground.

Possible Darlo X1

Soderburg

Arnison G.Taylor Geohaghon K.Taylor

Rundle Chandler Atkinson Brown

Bridge-Wilkinson

Bowman

Subs

Russell, Sanchez-Munoz, McReady, Hatch, Walshaw

Braintree have made a great start to their first season at Conference National level as Alan Devonshire’s side currently occupy 11^th position in the table with a total of 26 points from the 17 games they have played. The Iron have a solid home record as they have won 4 and drawn 2 of the 8 games on their own patch so far this term.

Braintree’s recent form has not been that impressive as they have not won in their last 5 games and recently suffered a heavy defeat away at York (6-2). It is worth noting that the Iron have certainly not been struggling for goals despite their recent poor of results as Braintree‘s last 2 outings have been a 5-4 away loss at Kidderminster and a 3-3 draw with strugglers Bath City at Cressing Road.

On looking through the Iron’s squad the most recognisable name is that of the former Brentford and Millwall forward Mark McCammon. However McCammon has not been able to hold down a regular first team spot this season and has only managed to net the one goal for the Iron.

Braintree do have a clutch of players who have been banging in the goals as Jai Reason, Ben Wright, Sean Marks and Andrew Yiadom all have 6 strikes to their name even at this early stage of the campaign. Ben Wright could well be the Iron’s principal danger man as the 6ft2 striker has an impressive record at non league level.

Wright almost signed for Premiership Fulham back in 2009 however the Cottagers pulled out of the deal at the last minute and the player ended up signing for Peterborough United. Wright struggled to establish himself in the first team squad at Posh and the Basingstoke born marksmen moved onto Crawley Town before linking up with Braintree in the summer of 2011.

I feel Quakers make shift back line could struggle to cope with Braintree’s offensive threat this weekend and if the Iron were to continue banging in the goals as they have been of late it is extremely hard to see Mark Cooper’s men being able to match their opponents goal scoring prowess.

Comments

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jjmick - 20th October 2011 19:14:05

chrismackz wrote:our best spell last season came when bridge-wilkinson played behind a loan front man (jefferson louis/tommy wright) so is certainly an option

Yeah, only Jefferson Louis was on loan...

RUMPLESTILTSKIN - 20th October 2011 19:54:42

Loan - Lone