Sports Mole previews Tuesday’s National League clash between Braintree Town and Aldershot Town, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Aldershot Town will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they travel to Essex for Tuesday’s clash with Braintree Town.
In contrast to the visitors, Braintree are still waiting to get off the mark after beginning the campaign with consecutive defeats.
Match preview
© Imago
Braintree are competing in the National League for the first time since 2018-19 after they won promotion via the playoffs last season.
They finished in fifth spot in National League South, before going on to claim extra-time victories over Bath City, Chelmsford City and Worthing to seal their spot in the fifth tier.
Unfortunately for Angelo Harrop‘s side, they have experienced a disappointing start to the season, losing 3-0 to Oldham Athletic before falling to a narrow defeat in Saturday’s home clash with Yeovil Town.
Yeovil’s Morgan Williams scored the decisive goal just past the hour mark, condemning Braintree to a second straight defeat without scoring.
They will look to bounce back two defeats when they go in search of their first win over Aldershot since recording a 2-0 win in August 2016.
Meanwhile, Aldershot will be satisfied with the start they have made to the season, having taken four points from their opening two matches.
They played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with recently relegated Forest Green Rovers, before they claimed all three points in Saturday’s away clash with Halifax Town.
Josh Barrett‘s third-minute strike proved the difference between the two sides at the Shay, ensuring Aldershot could celebrate their first win of the new season.
Including last season, Aldershot are now unbeaten in three consecutive away league games, and they will have the opportunity to extend that run in Tuesday’s trip to Cressing Road.
The Shots will be able to draw inspiration from the fact they have won their last three matches against Braintree, including a 1-0 away victory in their most recent away meeting in February 2019.
Braintree Town National League form:
Aldershot Town National League form:
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Team News
John Akinde could be considered for a recall after being left out of Braintree’s lineup for Saturday’s defeat to Yeovil.
Should he get the nod, Akinde is likely to start alongside Inih Effiong, who is looking to produce the sort of form that saw him score 16 league goals for Dagenham & Redbridge last season.
As for Aldershot, they could line up with an unchanged starting XI after recording their first win of the season at the weekend.
Summer signing James Henry is set to provide a useful option off the bench, having featured as a substitute in the first two matches.
Braintree Town possible starting lineup:
Knightsbridge; Annesley, Grimwood, Langston, Clampin; Marshall-Miranda, Vennings, Robinson, Powell; Akinde, Efiong
Aldershot Town possible starting lineup:
Dewhurst; Byrd, Jenkins, Maghoma; Frost, Hargreaves, Widdrington, Jones; Corbett, Barrett, Ghandour
We say: Braintree Town 1-3 Aldershot Town
Braintree have experienced a difficult start to life in the National League, and we think they could fall to another defeat in Tuesday’s home match against an Aldershot side who will be buoyed by Saturday’s win over Halifax.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.