Braintree and Witham enjoy pre-season wins ahead of derby meeting (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Braintree and Witham enjoy pre-season wins ahead of derby meeting

5:08pm Wednesday 18th July 2012 in Sport By Simon Spurgeon

Braintree Town had to overcome a half-time deficit to beat Bury Town in the second of their pre-season summer fixtures.

Iron manager Alan Devonshire admitted that his side got caught out by Billy Clark’s 36th minute free-kick at Ram Meadow as the Ryman League premier division hosts took at 1-0 advantage into the break.

However, Braintree’s superior fitness told in the end and they were comfortable 4-1 winners.

Devonshire said: “We looked good for half an hour, but got caught by that great free-kick.

“The second half saw us respond and I was impressed with our fitness.

“I also thought that Kane Shepherd did well for us.”

Devonshire made a number of changes at half-time and a header by Sean Marks levelled the scores ten minutes after the interval.

Trialist Shepherd was one of those who came on for the second-half and the former Redbridge striker put Braintree ahead on the hour.

The Iron continued to cause the home side problems as they pushed forward and they were rewarded with two goals in the last two minutes.
 

A second came from Shepherd and the last was by ex-Braintree, Thurrock and Maldon forward David Bryant.

Braintree now head to local rivals Witham Town for their next pre-season test at Spa Road on Thursday (kick-off 7.45pm).
 

Witham, meanwhile, opened their own pre-season campaign with a 3-2 home victory against Canvey Island.

The Gulls were playing their first game under new boss and former Witham player Steve Tilson, but fell 2-0 behind early in the second half.
 

Canvey did get one back before Witham restored the two-goal advantage, leaving the Gulls’ late strike as just a consolation.

Keep up to date with all the latest news from Braintree Town and Witham Town with Times.

Comments are closed on this article.