BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES 0 v IPSWICH WANDERERS RESERVES 1

RIDGEONS RESERVE LEAGUE

SATURDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER 2006

With the management team reunited from the previous week, Dowding, Holland and Parsley took their reserve side on the 60 miles round trip to sunny Braintree for their first ever away fixture as a group.  With the good old saying "if you can't play on this pitch, you can't play on anything" talked about prior to kick off, it was expected that a good flowing 90-minutes of football would follow.  Due to the large squad numbers assembled, the management team made a few alterations from the previous week's starting eleven to try and keep the players fresh and all content.  With the sun blazing down from the Essex sky, the Wanderers got the game underway but it was to be Braintree that was to dominate the first 45-minutes without the Wanderers really finding their feet.  Perhaps coming away from the home comforts of Humber Doucy Lane, into new surrounds, seemed unusual for the team who struggled to get a grip with the game, apart from highly impressive Rutherford at right back and vice captain, but captain for the day, Stannard in goal.  Fortunately, although the team was not performing to their own highly set standards, both teams left the field a half time with the score level at 0 - 0. 

The oranges and drinks consumed at half time by the Wanderers players seemed to help them increase their own tempo and performance levels and the team made a bright start to the second half.  With the game now quickened and the Wanderers closing the ball faster, the reserves took the game to home team and ultimately the lead through Tynan, his second goal in as many games.  Although the Wanderers team continued to create a number of chances the Braintree keeper made a number of memorable saves to keep the game competitive.  As Wanderers were unable to increase their lead, the Braintree team continued to look for an equalizer but thanks to the reserves working hard together as a team and for each other, the game ended with the Wanderers winning their first away game and long may it continue.   

1 Robbie Stannard

2 Daniel Rutherford

3 Michael Velzian

4 Nick Pleasance

5 Anthony Johnson

6 Tom Cooke

7 Matt Bowers

8 Richard Dunne

9 Adam Potter

10 Jamie Tynan

11 Sarvio Moore

12 Steve Double

14 Marcel Bagley

15 Gavin Roberts

16 Chris Moore

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