BRAINTREE TOWN 0 GRIMSBY TOWN 0

Vanarama National League

A tough and tiring week ended with Braintree Town once again showing their fortitude as they shut out one of the Vanarama National League’s most potent attacks for a well-earned home point.

The Iron’s fitness levels had taken a battering in a punishing game at Cheltenham in midweek and their players visibly tired towards the end of the game against Grimsby Town.

However, they held out and the division’s meanest defence showed just why it has earned that accolade in the early part of the season.

There were still chances for Braintree to claim all three points themselves, but it was the defensive strength that stood out on the day.

There were two changes for the Iron from the side that started their 1-1 draw at Cheltenham in midweek.

Neither Dan Sparkes (groin) nor Chez Isaac (hamstring) made it through fitness tests and that brought Mark Phillips back into the line-up after he recovered from a foot problem that had kept him out in midweek.

The other addition was Anthony Edgar, who was rewarded for scoring the Iron’s goal against the Robins with a first start for Braintree.

It was a fairly even opening to the game, with both sides looking to get on the attack, but neither was really able to trouble the opposing goalkeepers.

The first real opening came in the 18th minute and it was Grimsby keeper James McKeown who was in action as a slick move from the Iron opened up the first sight on goal.

The ball was moved beautifully across the Grimsby box to Anthony Edgar, who manoeuvred himself into a position where he could unleash a fierce left-foot shot.

However, McKeown was equal to it and made a great save to his right to keep it at 0-0.

It stayed goalless, but that’s not to say it was a dull game as the action was end-to-end as both sides went looking for a breakthrough.

Grimsby’s Donny East flashed an effort just wide, while a free-kick just outside the home box was deflected over the crossbar and there were also openings at the other end.

Braintree’s Mitch Brundle tried his luck from just outside the Mariners’ area and was inches away from giving the hosts the lead, but his shot went just wide of the post.

It stayed goalless at the interval but the visitors came out of the blocks fastest after the break and Craig Clay flashed a shot just wide in the opening seconds of the second half.

They stayed on the front foot and only some great defending by Habergham kept it at 0-0.

Ben Tomlinson muscled his way past Phillips and pulled the ball back to Bogle, who only had Will Norris to beat in the home goal, but a stunning tackle from Habergham denied him the chance to get his shot away.

It epitomised the determination that gave Braintree the division’s meanest defence coming into the game, but as the game reached the hour-mark a bit of fatigue just started to show from the home side.

It was understandable given the punishing night they had had at Cheltenham just a few days before but it seemed to stifle their ability to maintain pressure high up the pitch.

Boss Danny Cowley made changes with Sean Marks coming on for his 301st Iron appearance by replacing Cheek up front and Taylor Miles on for Edgar, but it was the Mariners who stayed on the front foot.

The closest they came to breaking the deadlock came in the 42nd minute when Braintree failed to clear their lines and Bogle headed against the crossbar.

The ball rebounded back into the danger area but a brave header from Remy Clerima cleared it and the stalemate remained as the game ended in a 0-0 draw.

Braintree: Will Norris, Remy Clerima, Sam Habergham, Mark Phillips, Matt Paine, Mitch Brundle, Kenny Davis n(Jeremy Walker 75), Anthony Edgar (Taylor Miles 69), Alex Woodyard, Simeon Akinola, Michael Cheek (Sean Marks 67).

Subs not used: Alfie Walker, Craig Haigh.

Referee: Craig Hicks.