Still raging

I am writing this a full 25 hours after the game finished in a hope that I had calmed down, however, I haven't! My God I'm angry, and the reason for that anger? Take a bow Wayne Barratt of Bromsgrove you cheating, biased rhymes with hunt.

The reason for my anger, a 95th minute penalty (95th minute!!!) for what I will never know. I watched the replay on Palmers camera time and time again, but for the life of me cannot see the reason why it was given, not a single Braintree player appealed, we all thought it had been given for a foul on Jason Matthews, and yet no it's a penalty. Awful, awful decision from a man who had seemed to want to give Braintree everything all day, and City nothing. Continual fouls on Sean Canham went unpunished, while Hoggy was booked for having the temerity to be fouled!

However, while Barrett has a lot to answer for, City were the architects of their own downfall. City started the same team as for the game against Newport with the exception of Scott Murray (who was away on compassionate leave) who was replaced by Alex Russell.

City swarmed over Braintree and on 5 minutes Hoggy lashed a shot in, which took a deflection off of a defender which dropped to Sean Canham who hammered the ball home. City were 1-0 up very early, and continued to press. The first half passed quickly with City attacking, but failing to find the additional goal. Watkins had a few decent chances, and hit the post after one enterprising run, but City were on top and playing well. City went into the break leading for the second time in a week!

The second half descended from the attacking football played in the first, to more long ball hoofs and endeavour taking preference over skill, nevertheless City still attacked well and Marc Canham had 2 identical chances from 25 yards with both of them ending harmlessly in the Bristol End. Canham was also on the end of another of Barratts baffling decisions when he was booked for scoring after being flagged in an offside position (from my angle he didn't look offside but would need to see it again)

 Braintree were having some luck with their high balls into the box and Matthews pulled off a wonderful save from a dangerous freekick. Watkins had a hell of a chance which led to a goalmouth scramble, but Hoggy was penalised for christ knows what.

However, into injury time City appeared to be collecting their 2nd win of the week and 3rd home win on the bounce, before Barratt decided to step in and give Braintree a point. A ball was crossed in, a couple of Braintree players seemed to clatter Matthews, but Barratt pointed to the spot. Matthews managed to save the penalty but unfortunately it rebounded to Sean Marks who had taken the penalty and he tapped it home.

At the full time whistle the abuse towards the referee was fierce (and deserved) and Adie Britton jabbed an accusatory finger at the official, while it appeared Marley Watkins pushed the referee slightly (hopefully that will not have been noticed) and I admit to using language of the lowest denominator and I apolgise for that, and particularly to the father of a small girl who no doubt asked her Dad to explain what it meant!

However, City are now only 4 points off safety, and unbelievably actually have a chance of staying up, its unlikely, but have faith. UTC!