CAPTAIN Will Jackson insists Braintree Cricket Club won’t be sidetracked by their heavy defeat by local rivals Witham.

The Dolphins went down to a 151-run loss at their near neighbours in their second Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division one outing of the year.

But while it wasn’t the result Braintree were hoping for, Jackson feels they are still in a positive position following their win against last season’s runners-up, Wivenhoe, the week before and said his team will be confident heading into Saturday’s game at another of their local rivals - Halstead.

Jackson said: “We are not disheartened.

“The last three times we have played Witham, we just haven’t turned up, but we’re not disheartened.

“Looking at this time of the season last year, we are in a much better position now than we were then with more points on the board and we went to Halstead last year and beat them there.

“There were positives after the Wivenhoe win and this latest result doesn’t change that as we still had good individual performances.

“There was progress from the Wivenhoe game and this weekend is not about us having to bounce back.

“The result last weekend has been put to bed and we won’t let it affect us.”

Jackson said a few key moments in the match at Witham didn’t help his side’s cause, including seeing his opposite number - Witham captain Jake Wakelin - dropped early on before going on to make 43 and also losing wicket-keeper and top-order batsman Warren Celiz to a broken cheek.

Witham went on to make 259 for eight and after losing early wickets and with Celiz unable to bat, the visitors were all out for 108 in their reply.

Jackson said: “Having Warren break his cheek really hit us as we lost our wicket-keeper and had to finish in the field with only ten men for the last ten to 15 overs when a lot of runs are always added.

“We then lost early wickets and not having Warren able to bat also hurt us as he is a presence at the top of our order.

“But in all honesty, you have to say Witham were superior.

“They batted smartly on their own ground and their fielding and bowling were excellent.

“They are a well-drilled side who should be looking to win this league and even though they have brought through younger players this year, they are still very good players.”

Jackson said Celiz was likely to be sidelined for several weeks now and Braintree are also set to miss Josh Newman and Geoff Eveling for the trip to Halstead.