BOREHAM WOOD 1

BRAINTREE TOWN 1

Vanarama National League

It may not have been the first Vanarama National League win of the season that they craved, but Braintree Town were certainly impressive against a Boreham Wood side who were featuring in the play-off final last year.

New faces made a difference for the Iron as they helped them come back from a half-time deficit to secure an important point as Mohamed Bettamer scored from a superb free-kick just after half-time.

The home side did press late on at Meadow Park and Braintree were indebted to the fingertips of keeper Ben Killip for preserving their point in time added-on at the end, but it was a draw that will have been a big boost to Brad Quinton and his new-look side.

Manager Quinton had made four new additions to his squad in the days before the game and all of them – Cameron James, Dave Nieskens, Justin Amazulor and Mohammed Sagaf - were in the starting line-up.

They were among six changes from the side that started the previous game – a 2-0 defeat by Maidenhead United – with none of Josh Hill, Henry Ochieng or Irnti Rapai involved on the day.

Michael Clark, Lyle Della-Verde and Olu Durojaiye dropped to the bench, while Luke Allen and Billy Crook were the players returning to the starting line-up.

The opening stages of the game saw neither side really able to gain a telling advantage, although the match came alive just after the half-hour mark had passed.

It was Braintree who threatened first as Amaluzor thudded a shot off the home upright that flew away to safety and, within two minutes, it was Boreham Wood who hit the woodwork.

The Iron were unable to clear from a set piece into their box and it was Jamal Fyfield’s turn to strike the woodwork as his header cannoned off the bar.

Fyfield was not to be denied, though, as a minute later, he did find the back of the net from another set piece.

It was his first goal for Boreham Wood after he was well-placed to tuck the ball in on 35 minutes.

That goal was enough to give Boreham Wood the half-time lead as they held on to their slender advantage at the break.

That didn’t last long after the restart, though, as, within three minutes, Boreham conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position just outside their box and Mohamed Bettamer’s eyes lit up.

The Iron striker struck a ferocious free-kick that was hit with enough pace to get through the grasp of Boreham Wood keeper Ellery Balcombe and tuck into the corner of the net.

It was the start they wanted to the second half and Braintree tails were suddenly up.

As they stayed on the front foot, Bettamer headed over from a corner by Allan and Sagaf then sent a shot just over the bar when well-placed.

Boreham Wood were able to ride through the tricky spell without conceding a second, though, and began to get forward again to pose a greater threat on the Iron goal.

Braintree keeper Ben Killip had to be alert to steer away a shot, but there was no immediate response from the hosts and it stayed tight between the two sides into the latter part of the match.

Boreham Wood went close when Angelo Balanta tried to bend an effort into the far corner after cutting inside past Webber but his shot just lacked the curl it needed to go inside the post.

And substitute Justin Shaibo then sent an effort just wide after Braintree had given the ball away from a throw-in in an attacking position high up the pitch.

The Iron were required to defend strongly in the closing minutes as the home side threw everything at them in search of a winner.

With seconds on the clock, they had Killip to thank for keeping them in it as the keper’s fingertips saved the Iron’s point as he somehow stretched just enough to get to a header away and Braintree held on to their hard-earned point.

Braintree Town: Ben Killip, Pat Webber, Kodi Lyons-Foster, Dave Nieskens, Cameron James, Ricky Gabriel, Luke Allen Billy Crook (Lyle Della-Verde), Mohamed Bettamer, Mohammed Sagaf, Justin Amaluzor (Christie Pattisson 72).

Substitutes not used: Olu Durojaiye, Michael Clark, Dave Blackmore.