Yes the gate was really disappointing - it seemed like the town of Braintree was asleep
Did the club (BTFC) even market the game ? - but it was a good cup tie nonetheless.
I doubt United's share of the gate would cover the costs of travel and a pre match meal
to deepest darkest Essex. Who managed to find the ground easily?
United were technically far superior to their National League opponents but
the hosts did not give up and each player in orange and blue looked to be out
on their feet for long periods of the second half. United were indebted to Buchel
who pulled off a good save from the last kick of the game.
I thought Mullins was harshly booked for a second "offence" - the referee was too far away and
couldn't wait to send off our skipper.Contrary to GY I was impressed with Skarz who looked
very decent at centre back and cruised through the game. Gayle worried me in the second half
- he's quite good on the ball but does not appear to be that good in the air to play
centrally at the back.Thought Rose worked hard but lacked quality and gave it away cheaply.
Lundstram looks a quality player and I enjoy watching him play as I do the team at the moment.
Buchel despite his stop at the death seemed to treat the ball like a bar of soap - this worries
me and he flapped at a cross and a high ball into the box.
O'Dowda was destroying his full back all afternoon and looks to be improving, fast, each week.
MacDonald flitted in and out frustratingly.
The conundrum is of course what to do about Hoban.Non stop effort and commitment, some
good link play but he misses goals for fun.When Taylor played him in delightfully, he surely should have gone low
across Norris into the other corner? Not sure Hoban can be coached to score goals at this level and I doubt
he would get into Braintree's starting eleven.He gets up for headers too but lacks conviction for me.
Listen to a good interview with the Braintree Town manager who said we were a marvellous team - the best he has played and managed against.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p037jwtd