BRAINTREE Town Reserves manager Lee Fisher is keen to see the progress made by his team this year when they host Thurlow Nunn League division one leaders Woodbridge Town on Saturday.

The Young Irons have a busy week of action with two games against Wisbech St Mary either side of the home fixture against Woodbridge and they will be looking to keep a strong run of form going that has seen them move into the top five in the Thurlow Nunn League division one table.


They won 2-1 at Wisbech in the league in midweek, before hosting the Woodpeckers at the weekend (kick-off 3pm) and then have their Knockout Cup semi-final against Wisbech at the IronmongeryDirect Stadium on Tuesday (kick-off 7.45pm).


Braintree have taken 13 points from their last five league games and have lost just once in their last 17 outings in all competitions, but Woodbridge will arrive as leaders of division one and will be a test for the Young Irons, but it is one that Fisher is relishing.

"It's a big week for us," he said.

"We had the game at Wisbech on Wednesday and we've got them in the cup final on Tuesday and we've also got Woodbridge at home on Saturday.

"The big games are coming thick and fast and it will be a real test of how far we've come this year.

"We played Woodbridge at the start of the season and lost 4-3 at their place, but we know we could have got a point and it was inexperience that cost us on the day.

"We went to 3-3 and tried to win it, but got caught out.

"That type of thing comes with age, though, and the lads are looking forward to the challenge of going up against them again.

"Woodbridge are a side who have been together for a while and their squad has not changed, while we have seen quite a few changes since the start of this year.

"That's what you get with reserve football, but our lads have gained experience quickly through this season.

"We drew with (second-placed) Whitton a couple of weeks ago and this will be another test against a side flying at the top.

"It will be interesting to see the progression that we've made since the start of the season and where we are now so I'm really looking forward to it."

Saturday's game is quickly followed by the Thurlow Nunn League First Division Knockout Cup semi-final on Tuesday and Fisher wants his players to embrace the opportunity ahead of them and book their place in the final.

"The boys deserve to be in that final and I really hope they get the chance," he added.

"With the success we have had this season already, for players and us as a management team, our aim is to get to the cup final and that in itself would be a great success.

"We want to get into the cup final - that is the plan - and it would be excellent considering we have a team that's had an average age of just 19 over the last few months.

"The lads have bought into what we have said to them and how we want them to play.

"They really do deserve to be in that final.

"We've had a tough cup run to get here and Wisbech are a difficult side to face, but with the players we have, we know it is achievable.

"It's only our second season in senior football as a management team and having a cup final like that on our CV would be a great thing to move forward with."