Match Report: Braintree Town 0 Yeovil Town 1

A first half Frank Nouble goal was enough to get Yeovil Town back to winning ways with a hard-fought win at Braintree Town.

The striker flicked in a near post header to give the visitors a 14th minute lead at a side which had not lost in National League South action since New Year’s Day.

The three points maintain a seven-point advantage at the top of the league after Taunton Town capitulated to defeat to second-placed Chelmsford City.

First half

The kick-off was delayed by the notable absence of Braintree keeper Jack Sims, who disappeared pre-kick-off, only appearing at 3.05pm. <Add reference to non-League here>

The opening 15 minutes were lacking in goalmouth action with Jahmari Clarke having a half chance and a couple of balls in to the Yeovil box, but the first meaningful attempt led to the opening goal. A flicked header from Frank NOUBLE directed the ball past Sims after 14 minutes.

But, at the other end, Shaq Coulthirst spurned a glorious opportunity when he put a point blank header from a Lewis Miccio straight in to the hands of Joe Day with 16 minutes gone.

It took another 20 minutes before there was any meaningful action and that consisted of a ball in to the box by Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and a blocked shot from Charlie Cooper.

At the other end, the clearest cut opportunity fell to Miccio lifted an effort over the bar after Freddie Sears had looked dangerous inside the box.

Half time: Braintree Town 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

A cagey start to the second half produced about the same amount of action as the first. On 52 minutes, Aaron Blair took advantage of a loose bit of play by Matt Worthington but lifted his shot over the bar. 

Substitute Jayden Davis fizzed a shot just over the bar  after 57 minutes. 

Olly Thomas replaced Jahmari Clarke with an hour gone and in his first involvement he ran on to a ball forward after a powerful run from the effervescent Nouble.

From then on, there was pressure from the home side but without forcing a meaningful stop out of Day.

On 84 minutes it looked like Yeovil were about to go 2-0 up when a beautiful cross from the left Dylan Morgan found Jordan Young in the middle of the box, seemingly certain to head home. To his credit, Sims pulled off a stunning save to turn the ball over the bar.

Aside from a flurry of bookings for the visitors, there was little to talk about from the final stages of the game, except to say we saw it out.

The final whistle felt massive and even the fact Taunton threw away a 2-1 lead to lose 3-2 at home to second-placed Chelmsford could not extinguish the fire which will undoubtedly be sparked back in to this Yeovil side.

It was not pretty, but it was a massive three points. Do not underestimate how massive it was.

Full time: Braintree Town 0 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: The Rare Breed Meats Company Stadium
Date: Saturday 23rd March

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Bit bobbly, but not the mud bath we had feared.
Conditions: Mostly dry but blustery.

Attendance: 1,985

Scorers: Frank Nouble 14 (1-0).

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Dylan Morgan 80, Jake Wannell 82, Matt Worthington 86.

Braintree Town: Alfie Payne 20, Baris Altinthorp 80.

Referee: Adrian George

Yeovil Town (5-2-1-2)

Substitutes: Olly Thomas (for Jahmari Clarke, 61), Dylan Morgan (for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 70), Sam Pearson (for Jordan Young, 87), Josh  Owers (not used), Alex Fisher (not used).

Braintree Town: Jack Sims, Lewis Miccio, Baris Altintop, Joe Grimwood, Ben Tompkins (for Charlie Wakefield, 76), Tom Blackwell, Alfie Payne (for Reggie Lambe, 70), Aaron Blair, Shaq Coulthirst (for Jayden Davis, 46), Freddie Sears, Dominic Odusanya.
Substitutes (not used): Leon Davies (not used).