DEREHAM TOWN 1

BRAINTREE TOWN 0

Pre-season friendly - Colin Wright Memorial Trophy

Braintree Town were unable to make their possession and chances count as a single goal by hosts Dereham Town earned them a 1-0 win in their pre-season friendly.

It meant the home side collected the inaugural Colin Wright Memorial Trophy, with the game played in memory of the founder of Dereham’s youth team, but for the Iron, it gave more valuable pre-season minutes to their players.

There was an early scare for the Iron in the fourth minute, though, as Dereham pressure saw them get a shot away, but the visitors were saved by a goal-line clearance as Christian Frimpong was alert to the danger and got the ball away.

It was a warning shot for Braintree, but they settled after that and began to pose a threat to the home goal as they looked to make their possession tell.

Luke Allen tried his luck but his shot lacked the power needed to really trouble the home keeper, while an effort from Lyle Della-Verde from the edge of the area was deflected and claimed by the Magpies custodian.

Braintree stayed on the front foot, with Mahrez Bettache seeing a teasing cross cleared away, Christie Pattison had a shot blocked and Frimpong then headed against the crossbar from a corner fired in by Della-Verde.

Joe Ellul also headed the ball just over from a free-kick, however, it wasn’t all one-way traffic.

Another goal-line clearance was required – this time by Bettache – to prevent Dereham going ahead on the half-hour mark, but they did take the lead before half-time.

Hesitation in the Iron defence allowed the home side to take the lead on 43 minutes to take a 1-0 advantage into the break.

Braintree made a couple of changes at the start of the second half and one of those who came on was Reece Grant, who was next to go close as he fired just over after good work by Billy Crook.

The visitors were unable to find a decisive edge, though, and after Ellul was denied in stoppage time when the home keeper made a great save to keep out his header, the Magpies held on to their lead to claim the inaugural Colin Wright Memorial Trophy.