Chelmsford City vs Braintree Town Predictions

• Chelmsford City are unbeaten in their last six home FA Cup ties
• Braintree Town have failed to win any of their last nine away FA Cup matches in 90 minutes
• Braintree are 21st in the National League with one win, one draw and six defeats on the road this season

Chelmsford can frustrate Iron in FA Cup grudge match

Chelmsford City will fancy their chances of giving National League Braintree Town a tough time in Friday’s first-round tie at Dunmow Community Group Stadium.

The Clarets, who have won three of their six home games in the National League South and sit in mid-table, are managed by ex-Iron boss Angelo Harrop. The ex-Braintree supremo recruited some of his old players when he got the job down the road and slowly seems to be turning the tide.

Chelmsford have been tough to beat at home, in this competition for a while as their qualifying round wins over Hertford Town and Chippenham this season have extended their home FA Cup unbeaten run to six games.

Lyle leads the line well for Clarets

They’ve scored in every FA Cup outing so far with ex-Colchester and AFC Wimbledon striker Lyle Taylor leading the line to great effect. Discipline has been a concern — the Clarets have collected four red cards already this term — but they’ve shown enough attacking intent to suggest they can trouble Braintree again.

The Iron won a dramatic play-off semi-final at Melbourne Park in April, but they’ve not had it all their own way in recent visits. John Akinde brings a presence up front, but they have the joint-second worst goal tally in the National League this term and were held 0-0 by managerless Altrincham at the weekend.

With so much at stake — including a £47,750 prize for the winners — this could be a cagey affair. Back Chelmsford on the double chance market and consider a 1-1 draw as a lively correct score option.