Braintree Town: Match Preview

🏟️ Match Preview: Braintree Town vs FC Halifax Town

📅 Date: Saturday 9th August 2025
🕒 Kick-off: 3:00 PM
📍 Venue: Amlin Stadium, Clockhouse Way, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3DE
🚗 Distance from The Shay: 207 miles

🔵 The Shaymen Begin a New Era

FC Halifax Town kick off the 2025–26 Enterprise National League season with a long away trip to Essex, facing Braintree Town. This marks the first competitive match under new manager Adam Lakeland, who will be eager to start his tenure with a victory.

🔁 Summer Signings & Squad Evolution

Lakeland has overseen a busy summer of recruitment, bringing in fresh talent to bolster the squad:

Dylan Crowe
Thierry Latty-Fairweather
Shaun Hobson
Will Hugill
Josh Hmami
Cody Johnson
Will Harris
David Kawa
AJ Warburton

These additions aim to build on last season’s play-off finish, where Town were eliminated by eventual promotion winners Oldham Athletic.

⚽ Pre-Season Form

Halifax enjoyed an unbeaten pre-season in fan-accessible fixtures, all played away due to pitch renovations at The Shay. The team showed attacking promise and defensive solidity, setting a positive tone for the campaign ahead.

🟠 The Opposition: Braintree Town

Braintree finished 17th last season, just four points clear of relegation. Despite their struggles, they were strong at home, winning 10 matches—one more than Halifax managed at The Shay.

🔄 New Faces at Braintree

Manager Steve Pitt has added several new players to the Iron’s squad:

Lewis Walker (Centre-forward, from Woking)
Freddie Hockey (Centre-forward, from Chelmsford City)
Mason Terry (Goalkeeper, on loan from West Ham United)
Tommy Smith (Veteran defender, ex-Ipswich & Colchester)
Fletcher Hubbard (Midfielder, from Brightlingsea Regent)
Goran Babic (Midfielder, ex-Southampton academy)
Manny Omrore (Forward, returning after time away from football)

These signings aim to address last season’s goal-scoring struggles, with Walker and Hockey offering depth up front and Smith bringing experience to the back line

🔙 Last Season’s Meetings

Halifax 1–0 Braintree (Goal: Adam Senior)
Braintree 1–0 Halifax (Goal: Inih Effiong, penalty)

🎟️ Ticket Information

Adults: £20.94
Concessions: £15.71
U18s: £10.47
U12s: £5.24
(Prices include a 4.5% booking fee)
👉 Book your tickets in advance
On-the-day price (Adults): £22.00 (card or cash)
Away Fan Zone: Opens at 1:00 PM
Entry Gates for Town Fans: Gates 7 & 8

👨‍⚖️ Match Officials

Referee: Isaac Searle
Assistants: David Hutton & James Hurst
Fourth Official: Jack Willmore

📅 Other Fixtures This Weekend

Altrincham vs Aldershot Town
Boreham Wood vs Rochdale
Brackley Town vs Eastleigh
Gateshead vs Southend United
Solihull Moors vs Forest Green Rovers
Tamworth vs Scunthorpe United
Wealdstone vs Truro City
Woking vs Carlisle United
Yeovil Town vs Hartlepool United
York City vs Sutton United

🔜 Next Fixture

Wealdstone vs FC Halifax Town
📅 Saturday 16th August 2025, 3pm kick-off.