Lita on Target as Town Win at Braintree
Tuesday, 22nd Jul 2014 21:42 by James Ager

Striker Leroy Lita, one of six trialists in the starting line-up, netted the only goal as a Blues XI beat Skrill Premier side Braintree Town 1-0 in Brad Quinton’s testimonial at Cressing Road. Lita, 29, a free agent following his release by Swansea, followed up after Iron keeper Nathan McDonald had failed to hold on to a freekick from another trialist, French-Mauritian midfielder Kévin Bru, nine minutes before the break.

Also amongst the starters was French striker Achille Campion, along with three further trialists subsequently named on social media by Irish sources as Shelbourne youngsters Ryan Robinson, Adam McDonnell and Dylan Connolly.

Defender Robinson, 18, who has previously been linked with Everton, and winger Connolly, 19, faced the Blues in last year's pre-season friendly against the Dublin club, while midfielder McDonnell, 17, played in the fixture earlier this month.

Town boss Mick McCarthy, assistant Terry Connor and most of their staff were present to run the rule over the various hopefuls.

The hosts had the first chance of the game early on but Sean Marks lifted the ball over the bar under pressure from Town keeper Michael Crowe.

The Blues took the lead with just under 10 minutes of the opening period remaining. Bru's freekick was spilled by Braintree stopper McDonald and Lita pounced to tap the ball into the unguarded net from close range.

O'Donnell, playing in central midfield, struck the bar with a freekick 10 minutes after the restart.

A host of substitutions disrupted the flow of the second half, with Braintree introducing a number of former players who had played alongside Quinton during his 15 years at the Essex club. Quinton himself forced Crowe into a diving save on the hour mark with a 30-yard freekick.

Soon after, half-time Town subs Monty Patterson and Darren McQueen combined but the latter's effort was blocked by sub keeper Carl Pentney.

The home side pushed for an equaliser as the game drew to a close - James Baker's deflected acrobatic volley the closest they came, but Crowe clawed the ball away from danger.

Campion and Lita put in plenty of effort in the first half before making way, with Lita producing a typical poacher’s finish.

Most impressive of the many trialists was Connolly on the right wing, who certainly wasn't afraid to take on his opposing left-back and get a ball into the box.

Town XI: 1 Crowe, 2 J Robinson (Emmanuel 64), 3 Wyatt, 4 McDonnell (5 R Robinson 80), 5 R Robinson (Sowunmi 71), 6 M Clarke, 7 Connolly, 8 Bru (Willbye 58), 9 Lita (McQueen 46), 10 Campion (Patterson 46), 11 Lawrence (Galvin 58). Unused: McDermid. Att: 467.

Photo: Action Images

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Popeye added 12:59 - Jul 23 McDonnell tweeted after the game about playing with Leroy Lita...highlight of his career so far haha
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joe9087 added 14:12 - Jul 23 Lita definitely has a bit of "journeyman" about him. However, there are worse strikers out there we've been linked with. Connor Sammon anyone? I'd take Lita over someone like him, at least Lita has a reasonable scoring record. Hopefully we'll get someone better than him though, a poacher who's hungry and motivated.
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blueboy1981 added 18:29 - Jul 23 Lita would be a very decent addition to the squad - cannot dispute his scoring record. Got to be worth a punt for sure.
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