Braintree Town kick off their National League South preparations with a four-game pre-season gauntlet after a bruising National League relegation. The Iron limped out of the fifth tier last term, finishing 23rd with just 36 points from 46 games - a haul 10 points shy of safety - and a league-standing of 23rd in England National League, 36 pts, 8W-12D-26L from 46 games, recent form LLLDL.

What went wrong last season?

Braintree’s slide was brutal. The Iron shipped 76 goals last term, conceding nearly twice as many as they scored, with a goal difference of -38. Their final-day collapse left them seven points behind even 22nd-placed Gateshead, and 72 points adrift of runaway champions York. Their last result summed it up: Tamworth 5-1 Braintree on 25 April 2026. It capped a five-game losing streak (LLLLL) that stretched back to March, leaving the club staring at a summer rebuild under Steve Pitt.

Why the pre-season matters now

The Iron’s squad is threadbare after May’s transfer embargo left boss Pitt scrambling for reinforcements. No permanent goalkeeper is yet signed, and the backline is a trialist carousel. Three pre-season friendlies already delivered defeats and a single draw, including a 3-2 loss to Welling United and a 2-2 stalemate with Brightlingsea. With Tonbridge Angels looming in their National League South curtain-raiser, Braintree need momentum - fast.

Who could start against Cambridge United?

Pitt is likely to field a raft of trialists in Monday’s behind-closed-doors friendly with Cambridge United. A goalkeeper is expected among them, while right-back is another gap to fill. Jacob Mensah, Ange Dadja and Fin Adams are set to anchor the back four, with Anisius Lewis leading the line. Alfie Matthews and Jamie Bennett offer options up top, while Al Lewis and Swann slot into midfield. The experiment ends a Cambridge United hoodoo: the U’s have beaten Braintree 3-0 in the last two pre-season meetings.

What’s next for The Iron?

Braintree’s final four friendlies are make-or-break. A positive run could steady nerves before the National League South opener at Tonbridge Angels. Off the pitch, Pitt must navigate the embargo fallout and rebuild a squad capable of climbing out of the sixth tier. The league standing still haunts them: 23rd in England National League, 36 pts, 8W-12D-26L from 46 games, recent form LLLDL.