Opposition in focus | Braintree Town

Opposition in focus | Braintree Town
All you need to know about Irons

December 6th 2024FGR Media

Forest Green are in FA Trophy action for the first time in seven years as we prepare to face Braintree Town at Cressing Road on Saturday.

We last met the Iron back in October at The New Lawn coming from behind late on to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Harry Cardwell and Kyle McAllister.

Ahead of our first of two trips to Cressing Road this season, here is everything Rovers fans need to know about Saturday’s opponents.

THE OPPOSITION

The Iron ended a five-year stay in the National League South with an exhilarating play-off final win over Worthing last season defeating the Rebels 4-3 to reach the National League.

Their bid to stay in the National League is becoming a battle as since we last faced the Essex based side they have mustered just two wins in eight leagues games and four wins in their last 10 in all competitions.

That sort of form sees the Iron sit 19th in the National League sitting just one point above the drop zone.

But heading into the FA Trophy the Iron have already bettered last season’s run after they were knocked out in the second round 3-0 to our fellow Gloucestershire side, Gloucester City.

IN THE DUGOUT- STEVE PITT

Since last meeting the Irons their first team manager, Angelo Harrop was dismissed just last week following a string of bad results including defeats to fellow strugglers Boston United and Maidenhead United.

Justin Moseley stepped in as interim manager and remained undefeated in his first two matches impressively holding Gateshead to a 2-2 draw and picking up a 3-2 win over West Brom Academy in the National League Cup.

On Thursday morning, Braintree announced the managerial appointment of Steve Pitt who worked under previous boss Harrop from the summer of 2022, to his departure at the end of 2023.

PLAYER TO WATCH- KYRELL LISBIE

Goals have been a struggle this season for the Iron who have found the net just 26 times in 25 games in all competitions, failing to score in nine of those.

Those goals have been shared out across the team with their top scoring being their wide man, Kyrell Lisbie who has found the net on five occassions this season.

The 21-year-old made a name for himself during the 23/24 FA Cup scoring the only goal in Cray Valley PM’s historic trip to Charlton Athletic which caught the eye of former boss, Harrop who snapped up the attacker from the Isthmian Premier Division side.