HAVING had a delayed start to his life as a Braintree Town player, striker Reece Grant is now ready to kick on for the Iron.

The pacey forward arrived from Heybridge Swifts at the start of the season having picked up a nasty injury in his last game for the Bostik League division north side and has been forced to wait for his chance to shine for his new club.

He sustained a fractured cheek in Swifts’ game against Mildenhall Town, but now fully-recovered, Grant is eager to impress for Braintree.

He gave notice of his intent by firing in four goals for the Iron’s reserves on Saturday, before making his first-team debut as he came on as a substitute in the 1-0 win at Concord Rangers on Tuesday and is looking to make up for lost time.

He said: “It has been hard as I’ve been injured.

“It was something that happened when I was still with Heybridge Swifts in their first game of the season and I got my cheek and eye socket broken in the last five minutes of the game.

“I wasn’t able to do anything for a few weeks, but I’ve been around the boys and I’ve been doing running and training to keep fit.

“I was just waiting for the all-clear from the hospital, which I got last week and I played on Saturday for the reserves.

“I was then excited to finally get on at Concord Rangers and be a part of the first-team.

“I was good to get on and get the goals for the reserves to put myself in the window and show the Gaffer that I’m here and knocking on the door.

“It was good to get those minutes under my belt so that I was ready and I could go out at Concord and show that.

“I’m gradually building my fitness.

“I’ve never had the chance to play at this level before.

“I was with Wealdstone in the Ryman Premier, but this is the first time I’ve been in this league.

“So it’s a new environment for me but I feel as though I’m ready.

“I’ve plugged away at the lower leagues and gradually got myself up to where I feel I can fit in and I’m looking forward to it.

“I’ve been watching games when I’ve been injured and looking how the Conference players play and weaknesses and strengths in defences.

“I know I can fit in very well to our team as we get on the ball and create a lot of chances and someone like me can get goals with those chances.”