Dartford 0 Braintree Town 2 match report: Aaron Blair brace condemns Darts to third successive home defeat

By Callum Townsend

Dartford had Paul Rooney sent off as they were beaten by two second-half goals against Braintree on Tuesday night.

It was a third straight home defeat in all competitions for the Darts.

Dartford looked to start on the front foot in an attempt to build on a mostly-positive FA Trophy performance on Saturday. They pressed intensely from the off, fashioning their first chance of the game as Lewis Manor flicked the ball onto Max Statham on the right wing, but he could only manage to meet the gloves of Jack Sims with his cross.

Manager Alan Dowson’s Dartford defence soon discovered the dangers Braintree possessed when attacking down the left. Tom Blackwell and Aaron Blair proved to be a troublesome duo throughout the half and often combined well, particularly as they crafted a corner from Blackwell’s cross following Blair’s flick through the legs of Baris Altintop.

Darts had a great chance to go ahead from a Luke Coulson free-kick. His delivery found Moussa Diarra at the back post, but his attempt to head the ball back across goal was dealt with by Sims.

Braintree’s Joe Grimwood, who previously played against Dartford when Sudbury knocked them out of the FA Cup in 2021, saw an opportunity to put the Iron ahead, but his volleyed attempt was blocked for another corner.

In a game of trading blows from dead balls, Dartford almost saw themselves ahead twice in quick succession from such scenarios. Coulson’s delivery lasered towards the head of Sam Odaudu, who header over. A minute later, Joash Nembhard’s header from a corner found its way to Alex Wall, who flicked his header over the bar from close range.

As was the case for much of the game, Blair continued to provide chances for Braintree. He masterfully