Braintree Town v Chesham United (Emirates FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round)

Recap

Chesham drew a blank for the first time this season, but still managed to secure a replay with a gritty defensive display. Braintree will be the more disappointed of the two sides as they twice hit the woodwork in the second half, but Chesham had their chances and could have snatched a winner late on. There were three changes from the side that drew with Didcot in midweek, one enforced as Ogo Obi was ineligible so Jordan Edwards returned in attack. The other two changes saw Jack Connors and Bruno Andrade come in for Scott Shulton and Josh Allen.

Braintree, 17^th in the National League South, took control of the game early on but were restricted to half-chances. Ben Watt hit a 30-yard effort that flew well wide, then Tom Blackwell shot across goal following a quick break. Blackwell then cut inside and shot but Zaki Oualah tipped over, then the resulting corner fell to Ben Watt whose hurried shot cleared the bar. Chesham had their first effort on goal on 24 minutes, a free kick from Bruno Andrade that just cleared the bar. The home side failed to muster another effort in a quiet end to the half, while Chesham’s only effort of note came when Connor Roberts shot straight at home keeper Vicente Reyes from the edge of the area.

In the opening minute of the second half Chesham’s defence cleared a long throw to George Quantrell, whose shot beat Zaki Oualah but came back off the post. Chesham were starting to get on top but without troubling the home defence and there was little action in either penalty area. Midway through the half Braintree came close again, when a long-range effort from Ben Watt beat Zaki Oualah but came back off the bar. The remainder of the game was scrappy with Chesham looking secure at the back where Zaki Oualah commanded his area to great effect. Late in the game Chesham created a couple of dangerous situations but the final ball was lacking. In the fifth minute of stoppage time a short corner routine led to the ball running loose in the Braintree penalty area and Jordan Edwards hooked it towards goal but over the bar.