Braintree Town face a critical home match against Walton & Hersham on Tuesday as they look to arrest a worrying slide down the National League South table. The Iron enter the fixture 19th in the standings with just 10 points from their opening nine games, having lost their last two matches.
Their most recent outing was a 2-1 defeat away to AFC Rushden & Diamonds last Saturday, where J. Mensah’s 30th-minute opener was overturned by second-half goals from the hosts. That result followed a 4-3 loss at Dorking Wanderers, a game in which Braintree had led 3-2 at one stage through goals from F. Hubbard and A. Lewis. You can review the team's recent results and upcoming schedule on our fixtures page.
Opposition preview
Walton & Hersham provide the opposition, arriving at the Rare Breed Meat Co. Stadium sitting 24th and bottom of the division. Their own recent away form shows two consecutive draws, against Truro City and Sutton United earlier in the season. The historical record between the sides is split, with Braintree winning 3-1 at home in April 2006 but losing 3-2 away in December 2005.
Stakes and implications
The stakes for Braintree could not be clearer. A victory has the potential to lift them out of the immediate relegation places, while a defeat would deepen their struggle at the wrong end of the table. With 16 goals scored but 22 conceded so far, tightening up at the back will be a priority.
Braintree Town host Walton & Hersham at the Rare Breed Meat Co. Stadium on Tuesday, 6 October, with kick-off at 19:45.
