Bank Holiday Monday football awaits for the Fleet as a trip to Braintree Town continues the quest for the visitors’ first points of the season.
Last time out
Braintree travelled to Solihull Moors on Saturday and travelled back to Essex with a point. Summer signing from Cray Valley Paper Mills Kyrell Lisbie continued his fine form but saw his goal cancelled out by a late effort from Bradley Stevenson. Braintree are 19th having enjoyed a win over Aldershot Town. Elsewhere, they have lost to Yeovil and Oldham.
Previous meetings
Braintree have won the last two matches against the Fleet at Cressing Road – 3-2 in our title-winning season and 1-0 before that. Fleet won the two visits before that by 3-0 and 4-0. This isn’t the first August Bank Holiday meeting either, with 2011’s game at Braintree featuring the two newly promoted sides from the South – and Fleet were 2-0 down in that one, only to bring it back to 2-2 in the final five minutes and win it with an even later Calum Willock header.
Summer business
As mentioned, young prospect Kyrell Lisbie, son of ex-Charlton and Leyton Orient striker Kevin Lisbie, has made the step up from the Isthmian League and the 20-year-old has scored three goals since his arrival.
Experienced forward Inih Effiong was the club’s big signing, joining the Iron from Dagenham & Redbridge during the summer. The 34-year-old has played for a number of clubs across the National League including the likes of Aldershot, Woking, Notts County and Boreham Wood.
Centre-back Joe Grimwood rejoined Braintree on loan despite departing for Barnet during the close season, having been part of the home side’s promotion last year where he featured 46 times.
Maidstone’s FA Cup goalkeeping hero Lucas Covolan is the latest signing and he made his debut in midweek.
Club connections
Few Fleet fans will need reminding that FA Trophy hero John Akinde will be lining up against us. If selected, it will be the first time our former Academy graduate will play against us in a competitive fixture since departing for Bristol City in 2008. Midfielder Marley Marshall-Miranda, along with Akinde, were teammates of Tom Dallison at Colchester last season while Matt Robinson lined up with Jim Kellermann at Woking in 2023/24.
The manager
Angelo Harrop was appointed Braintree manager ahead of the 2022/23 season after catching the eye a AFC Sudbury and he has since taken the side back to the National League in his second attempt at the play-offs. He managed his 100th game for the Iron at the weekend and has averaged 1.68 points per match during his two-year reign.
Ticket info
Tickets can be purchased here. Away supporters will access via gates 7 and 8 and can also buy on the day. The away fans-zone bar will be open for the first time ahead of this fixture where a small selection of beers will be available.
