Match Overview
This weekend’s fixture at Cressing Road will kick off at the slightly delayed time of 15.03, as both clubs show their support for the 3UP campaign, the league-wide initiative calling for three promotion places from the National League to League Two, writes Ronan Tregoning.
The adjusted start time aims to draw attention to the growing movement for fairer progression between the divisions.
Truro City make the trip to Essex this weekend to face a Braintree Town side searching for their first league win since early September. The Iron’s last three points came in a 3–1 victory over Eastleigh, but they’ve struggled for consistency since.
Discipline also went missing in their last outing, a 1–0 loss to Wealdstone that saw Chay Cooper and Tommy Smith both shown red cards after the final whistle. The Essex-based side will be buoyed to be back at home, with nine of their 13 points this season coming on home soil.
For City, the focus is on getting back on track after a difficult run that has yielded just one point from their last three league fixtures. There was, however, a major positive last time out as talisman Tyler Harvey made his return from injury against Altrincham, his first appearance since September 20. The Tinners will hope his comeback can inspire their first away win of the campaign and spark a turnaround in form.
Opposition View
In 2025/26, the Iron find themselves in a similar territory, having narrowly escaped relegation last season. Manager Steve Pitt (pictured below), who rejoined the club having formerly served as assistant to departing boss Angelo Harrop, took charge part way through last term with the side sitting in 19th, just one point above the drop zone. A strong run of form in the new year yielded 11 points from a possible 18 , combined with consistent wins against fellow strugglers, ultimately ensured that they retained their National League status.
A key part of last season’s survival was a dramatic improvement at the back. That solidity has carried into this campaign, with the Essex-based side having a much better defensive record than their immediate rivals. However, it is at the sharp end of the pitch where the Iron have been blunt. Only Brackley Town (12) have scored fewer goals, the lack of a clinical edge being largely responsible for their current league position of 22nd.
At the heart of the defensive improvement is 23-year-old club captain George Langston. The commanding centre-back, who joined from Eastleigh last season, was ever-present throughout their previous campaign and has become a key figure in a dressing room full of experienced characters such as Alan Judge and John Akinde. His leadership and consistency are pivotal to Braintree’s efforts to stay in the division.
From the City Dugout
Tinners boss John Askey spoke to the media before the trip to Braintree.
To listen via BBC Sounds – Click Here
Last Time We Met
The two sides have faced each other on four occasions. Braintree have won three times, while the other game ended in a draw. The last time the teams faced off, City were still calling Plymouth their “home,” as just under two hundred fans turned out to see a close contest.
In the first half, neither team gave an inch with Rocky Neal and Sam Sanders coming closest for the Tinners. However, it was the visitors’ substitutes that tipped the scales in favour of the visitors. Jayden Davis smashed an effort into the bottom corner before turning provider, crossing the ball for teammate Alfie Pavey to head home, in a six-minute smash and grab.
Neal pulled one back late on, but it proved only a consolation goal as Truro could not find an equaliser. The defeat left City flirting with the relegation zone, while three points set Braintree up for a great second half of the season, which saw them finish comfortably in the play-offs and eventually earn promotion.
Connections
The 2017/18 National League South season saw Truro City and Braintree Town locked in a tight battle near the top of the table. The two teams met in game week 41 in late April at Treyew Road. The Tinners were above the away side by two points in the table; a win would have secured a coveted play-off spot.
Ben Wyatt put the visitors ahead after just eight minutes, before Truro defender Jamie Richards equalised midway through the first half. It was Braintree’s Daniel Thompson who grabbed the winner on 63 minutes, sealing a 2–1 victory. Three points meant that the Iron leapfrogged City in the table.
Truro responded just three days later, climbing back ahead after a 2–0 win over Weston-super-Mare in a rearranged fixture, effectively securing their play-off place. Avoiding defeat on the final day was all that was needed and Truro did exactly that, drawing 1-1 against Hampton & Richmond, but a 3–0 win for Braintree over Gloucester City meant the Essex side finished higher up the table on goal difference.
Both clubs ultimately made the playoffs, but while Truro fell 3-1 to familiar foes Hampton in the quarter-finals, Braintree went all the way, beating the capital outfit on penalties in the final to secure promotion to the National League.
Matchday Information
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