Three late goals see Braintree & Bocking win trophy

Braintree & Bocking United F.C. 3 St.Clere’s F.C. 1

Three late goals saw Braintree and Bocking United secure the Dave Strachan Knockout Trophy on a chilly Bank Holiday Monday at White Notley F.C.
Inside two minute St Clere’s thought that had secured an early goal when John Archer broke down the left the ball found its way into the Braintree goal and for it to be ruled out as the ball had gone out of play.

With 10 minutes gone Braintree should have gone into the lead when Freddie Harle managed to head wide when it was easy to score. Braintree dominated most of the half but chances were of a premium. With 2 minutes left in the half Braintree again wasted a golden opportunity to take the lead this time it was Will Locker who dragged an effort wide.

Almost immediately St.Clere’s pushed forward Harry Hearn saw an effort on goal parried by Turnnidge in the Braintree goal only for John Archer to score and put the Stanford Le Hope side in front as the half drew to a close.

Half Time Braintree & Bocking United F.C. 0 St.Clere’s F.C. 1

Inside the first 20 minutes of the second half Braintree and Bocking wasted 5 glorious opportunities to get back into the game. Harle saw an effort saved by Fitt in the St.Clere’s goal, Adam Arkley then somehow scooped the ball over the bar, Fennell that wasted two opportunities, and Arkley then saw an effort from distance tipped over by Fitt.

The game started to open up as Braintree went to search for the equaliser.
Fennell and Locker then saw efforts cleared off the St.Clere’s line only for a Jordan Stevens header cleared off the Braintree line.

Archer then had a glorious opportunity to put the game beyond Braintree when he saw a 75 minute header go wide.

On 83 minutes Braintree secured an equaliser that they probably deserved on the balance of play. Substitute Ike Aybunn came of the bench to guide a header into the far corner. Two minutes later and Braintree had secured the lead and what a goal it was. Harle hitting from distance looping his effort into the top left hander corner.

Two quick goals had knocked the stuffing out of St.Clere’s and Aybunn added a third in the 90 minute to seal victory for the Braintree side

Full Time Braintree & Bocking United F.C. 3 St.Clere’s F.C. 1

A game superbly officiated by all three match officials