As part of the Everything Orient series 'Away Days', @QuaneRoman reviews his adventures at football grounds across the country and takes a look at everything from the best ground, the best food and most importantly, the best pubs. Next up, a trip to Braintree Town.
Cressing Road
Capacity: 4,222 (553 seated)
Occupant: Braintree Town
Town/City: Braintree, Essex
After being on holiday for nearly two weeks, missing away days like Chesterfield and Gateshead, 'Away Days' made a return against Halifax earlier in the month, choosing a visit to the Shay opposed to Harrogate.
After a week of trying to make up our minds we decided to make the journey to the depths of Essex for Braintree away at the last minute, bearing in mind the shortage of away tickets, high possibility of long queues and not guaranteed a train back home. What could go wrong!
1. The Journey - 4/10
For a midweek trip this was an incredibly awkward journey. I must of made about 4 changes on trains around Essex, having to come in to come back out and a rickety journey on the Emerson Park- Romford line.
After getting to Romford, I had to get the TFL Rail to Shenfield where I picked up the Greater Anglia service to Braintree direct, from Romford it took me about an hour to Braintree Freeport (the closest station to the ground apparently), not too bad going but a 15 minute wait at Shenfield.
However we were very lucky on the way back, after leaving one minute into added time we rushed back to the station to wait for the last London train from Freeport station. If I had of missed that I would've waited an hour for a Witham service, where I'd alight for a London service, this would've also leaded to me missing the last train back to my local station and other agro, so a good move I think even if we did miss the scenes at the end.
2. The Area 3/10
We got out at Braintree Freeport as we were advised this was the closest to the station, the journey to the ground was eventful as we walked through a shopping centre car park, past a Screw fix and down an alley that went from green fields, past the ground and then to a housing estate. My first glimpses of Braintree. We went past more houses, past a pub and then found ourselves at the ground.
Considering I only saw that route from the ground to the station I cant really say much about the area but after the game (when it was pitch black and running for trains) there was no lights down the alley, you couldn't see your own hand in front of your face at times and it also kept us on our toes.
3. The Pubs 5/10
As we travelled up without a ticket we didn't have time to go Pub as getting in was a priority, the Orange Tree on the road we walked down which was apparently decent, I looked full of Orient when I walked past about an hour before kick off.
4. The Ground 6/10
An Okay ground, one of the best out of all the local Essex clubs like East Thurrock, Dagenham & Redbridge and Hornchurch. I liked the Terracing behind the goal and at the side standing by the seating, I felt looking at it as if someone slightly moved during goal celebrations about 20 people would of ended up on the floor, like a domino affect.
Due to the even more intake of O's fans they opened up the side covered Terrace for O's fans, where I stood, like a good low roof stand like at Aldershot and Dagenham, always the best away atmosphere's.
5. Food and Drink 7/10
I had a cheeseburger and chips in the ground as we arrived in early, a nice burger better than what id expect from a non league ground, portion of chips was too small but apart from that a good pre match meal.
6. The View 4/10
In the first half on the covered terrace we had the worst view, a cage blocked our vision as it segregated us from the other Orient fans in the home end. Some people didn't even know the penalty went in until everyone jumped up! In the Second half I had a better view of the proceedings, Koroma's cheeky little chip looked quality where I was.
7. The Programme 8/10
A decent little programme with a good detailed section on the O's, I enjoyed some of its features like I think they had a fan who went to Germany with his bike or something like that. An enjoyable read.
8. The Atmosphere 5/10
Not the best atmosphere at Braintree, behind the goal it was silent through out the game, in the Second half the terrace where we were was much louder, a good atmosphere, incredibly worn out after goal limbs though.
9. Away Support 10/10
Incredible away support, 1600 Orient officially but there must of been 2000 or just under O's in the ground, even in the home end the Iron were out numbered, great turnout both at Braintree and Harrogate, 1250 up in Yorkshire is incredible, fair play to everyone who went.
10. The Performance 9/10
A five star showing from the Londoners at Cressing Road, after a home equaliser Orient really came out in the second half and dominated, running out emphatic winners, 5-1. I just love the buzz around OUR CLUB at the moment, long may it and the fantastic unbeaten start continue. UP THE Os!
Total- 6.1/10
AWAYDAYS standings
1. Maidstone United- 7.3
2. Salford City- 6.9
3. FC Halifax Town- 6.1
4. Braintree Town- 6.1
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