Our first game of the New Year sees us stay within the County of Essex and the relatively short trip up to Braintree for what is, I believe, our first competitive first team fixture (excluding the Essex Senior Cup) with them and for many of us therefore a first visit to the Rare Breeds Meats Stadium.
Whilst we were smashing 4 goals past hapless Ebbsfleet at Roots Hall on Boxing Day, Steve Pitt's side chalked up an equal number of goals at Dagenham & Redbridge for a 4-2 win which was the final nail in the coffin for Daggers' manager Ben Strevens who parted company with them shortly afterwards.
The Iron have not found it easy going back in the National League this season after their promotion via the play-offs from National League South at the end of last season. This eventually led to the sacking of manager Angelo Harrop at the end of November, and rumours of financial issues at the club has also seen the departure of some of the squad assembled over last summer including former Blue Callum Powell who went first on loan to Tamworth before dropping down a couple of levels to return to Kettering, and an alleged former target of ours, striker Inih Effiong who has rejoined Woking. Another former target of ours, John Akinde, is likely to lead the line up front for new manager Steve Pitt, as he did at Daggers on Boxing Day and although it was two other players (Chey Cooper and Tyrell Lisbie) who got a brace each, Akinde did provide a couple of assists. Louis Lomas is also at Braintree but has not been in their squad since warming the bench on the first day of the season. He was loaned out to Hornchurch for a bit earlier in the season, but has apparently now returned.
On current form, we've both had the same number of wins over our last 10 games but we've had fewer defeats. They've scored 4 more goals than us during this period but also conceded 12 more.
Given how poor our opposition were in the last game, it's difficult to know whether Kev has found the right formula or whether whoever had played would have looked like world beaters against Ebbsfleet. Certainly James Golding looks to be a solid central defender who is at ease with the ball at his feet too - a worthy successor to Ollie Kensdale (at last) perhaps? The other full debutant that day was Charley Kendall whose energy up front was certainly a breath of fresh air - would be nice to see him take one of his chances now to get his goal tally in a Blue shirt up and running.
The midfield selected for Boxing Day raised the most eyebrows with Miley and Husin both, in the eyes of most supporters anyway, being on an inferior run of form to James Morton who must consider himself unlucky to be the fall guy to accommodate players who appear to be, along with Jack Bridge, the teacher's pets.
So who would you choose to start in the first game of 2025, and what do you think the result will be?
Happy New Year Shrimpers!
PS Don't forget it's a 5.30 kick off to accommodate DAZN TV!
Whilst we were smashing 4 goals past hapless Ebbsfleet at Roots Hall on Boxing Day, Steve Pitt's side chalked up an equal number of goals at Dagenham & Redbridge for a 4-2 win which was the final nail in the coffin for Daggers' manager Ben Strevens who parted company with them shortly afterwards.
The Iron have not found it easy going back in the National League this season after their promotion via the play-offs from National League South at the end of last season. This eventually led to the sacking of manager Angelo Harrop at the end of November, and rumours of financial issues at the club has also seen the departure of some of the squad assembled over last summer including former Blue Callum Powell who went first on loan to Tamworth before dropping down a couple of levels to return to Kettering, and an alleged former target of ours, striker Inih Effiong who has rejoined Woking. Another former target of ours, John Akinde, is likely to lead the line up front for new manager Steve Pitt, as he did at Daggers on Boxing Day and although it was two other players (Chey Cooper and Tyrell Lisbie) who got a brace each, Akinde did provide a couple of assists. Louis Lomas is also at Braintree but has not been in their squad since warming the bench on the first day of the season. He was loaned out to Hornchurch for a bit earlier in the season, but has apparently now returned.
On current form, we've both had the same number of wins over our last 10 games but we've had fewer defeats. They've scored 4 more goals than us during this period but also conceded 12 more.
Given how poor our opposition were in the last game, it's difficult to know whether Kev has found the right formula or whether whoever had played would have looked like world beaters against Ebbsfleet. Certainly James Golding looks to be a solid central defender who is at ease with the ball at his feet too - a worthy successor to Ollie Kensdale (at last) perhaps? The other full debutant that day was Charley Kendall whose energy up front was certainly a breath of fresh air - would be nice to see him take one of his chances now to get his goal tally in a Blue shirt up and running.
The midfield selected for Boxing Day raised the most eyebrows with Miley and Husin both, in the eyes of most supporters anyway, being on an inferior run of form to James Morton who must consider himself unlucky to be the fall guy to accommodate players who appear to be, along with Jack Bridge, the teacher's pets.
So who would you choose to start in the first game of 2025, and what do you think the result will be?
Happy New Year Shrimpers!
PS Don't forget it's a 5.30 kick off to accommodate DAZN TV!
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if seats are available?, and a bit of shelter would be nice, apparently wet and windy forecast, deep joy
