Marks out for Braintree's trip to Telford (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Marks out for Braintree's trip to Telford

7:56am Thursday 16th August 2012 in Sport By Simon Spurgeon

While Kenny Davis’ wonder goal was a high point of Braintree Town’s 1-0 win at Ebbsfleet United, the late sending off of Sean Marks cast a shadow over the Iron’s first victory of the season.

Having already been shown a yellow card earlier in the Blue Square Bet Premier game, Marks was dismissed in time added-on at the end of the game for a second bookable offence as he challenged former Iron defender Paul Lorraine.

It wasn’t the only dismissal of the game either, as the hosts had already seen Patrick Ada sent off in the 52nd minute for a foul on Marks as the last defender.

However, Marks’ own sending off in only the Iron’s second game this year stirred memories of disciplinary issues in the early part of last season when a run of red cards stretched the playing resources at the Amlin Stadium.

Braintree manager Alan Devonshire said earlier this week that his striking options were limited and the news that Marks will now miss Saturday’s trip to AFC Telford United will put further pressure on his squad options.

Devonshire is still hoping to be able to tie up the signing of a new striker ahead of the weekend, but was pleased to see his side put three more points on the board towards their initial 50-point target.

He was particularly thrilled with Davis’ curling 69th-minute effort from 22 yards out that nestled in the top corner of the net to win the game.
Devonshire said: “The lads worked hard at Ebbsfleet.

“We started well and then had to be patient.

“It's never easy playing against ten, but Kenny’s finish was worthy of winning any game.

“What also pleased me was that we had enough chances to win the game comfortably – that’s got to be encouraging.”