TOM SETTLES IT FOR IRON

BRAINTREE TOWN 1 BATH CITY 0

TOM BLACKWELL hit a 118th-minute winner to fire Braintree Town into the National League South play-off semi-finals – and left boss Angelo Harrop almost speechless.

Blackwell’s close-range strike came just when penalties were looking like the only way of separating two sides who had gone toe-to-toe throughout.

It set-up a Saturday semi date with Essex rivals and neighbours Chelmsford City.

Manager Harrop led Town to the play-offs last season where they were knocked out by Worthing, but he reckons they’ve learnt big lessons since then and couldn’t have been prouder of his players.

“There are no words,” Harrop said. “Massive, massive credit to the players. They’ve been fantastic all season but it’s a one-off game, there’s a lot of pressure on everyone. We trained last night, went through real detail and I am so glad we put that work in.

“What a performance. What a performance under pressure in front of a big crowd. I couldn’t be prouder of the management team, the players, the fans – speechless. What a game.”

Bath more than played their part but in truth neither side really carved out many clearcut opportunities.

Substitute Reggie Lambe fizzed a shot over Bath’s bar in extra-time and Isaac Vassell forced Jack Sims into a smart save at the other end but it had long looked likely two of the best defences in the division would be hard to breach.

Finally, with just two minutes left, Braintree did when Dominic Odusanya sent a cross-field ball to Jayden Davis, who whipped in a low delivery Blackwell was able to turn in from close range to spark wild scenes.

Bath stopper Will Buse’s long kick upfield almost caught Sims out when he had to claw behind as Jerry Gill’s Romans forced a number of corners but Harrop’s men marched on.