WESTON SUPER MARE 1 BRAINTREE TOWN 2

Vanarama National League South

Braintree Town’s wait for an away day success was finally ended as they triumphed 2-1 at Weston Super Mare in Vanarama National League South.

A long midweek trip to Somerset brought a three-point reward for the Iron and delivered a first win on the road since their 3-0 success at Poole Town on November 11.

A goal just after the hour mark by Weston striker Gethyn Hill had put the hosts in the driving seat, but substitutes Luke Allen and Ben Wyatt both stepped off the bench to score and bring a welcome end to their team’s wait.

There were two changes for Braintree from the side that started their 1-1 draw at Hampton and Richmond Borough on Saturday.

That saw captain Marc-Anthony Okoye return from a three-game suspension and Roman Michael-Percil also back in the side, with Wyatt and Allen both dropping to the bench.

Allen was available for selection along with Billy Crook, despite both of them being sent off at Hampton and Richmond as their bans were not due to come into force until the weekend.

After their long trip west, it was a testing start for Braintree and they were kept busy in defence.

Twice keeper Nathan McDonald had to make saves with his legs inside the opening 25 minutes to keep goal-bound shots out and Ricky Gabriel was the Iron hero on 21 minutes.

A ball across the face of the Braintree goal was met by a Weston Super Mare boot and was heading in but the Iron defender had read the danger and made a superb block on the line to keep it goalless.

Having progressed through those early dangers, the Iron looked to impose themselves as the half wore on and they went close on 39 minutes.

Jon Muleba swung the ball into the middle of the Weston Super Mare area for Dan Thompson, but the tall Iron striker was just unable to get the touch he needed to divert it into the goal.

And the strong finish to the half continued when Colchester United loanee Diaz Wright worked his way into the area, but his final shot was over the bar as it ended with the sides locked together at 0-0.

That was how it stayed in the opening exchanges after the break, although Michael-Percil did have a sight of goal after ten minutes only to hit his shot over the bar.

There were also chances at the other end, with first Muleba and the Christian Frimpong making blocks to keep the hosts at bay, but Weston did find a way through on 63 minutes.

The opener came from Gethyn Hill, with home striker slotting the ball past McDonald from the centre of box to give Weston Super Mare the lead.

That only lasted until the 81st minute, though, as Braintree’s pressure told and Allen fired in a precise equaliser after a lovely throughball from another substitute – Reece Grant.

And better was soon to come for the Iron as another substitute – Wyatt this time – put them ahead with five minutes remaining as a shot took a deflection and looped over home keeper Luke Purnell and into the goal.

It was a slice of good fortune but not one that Braintree will deny themselves and could prove priceless in the closing part of the season as they continue chasing a play-off spot.

Braintree Town: Nathan McDonald, Jon Muleba, Ricky Gabriel, Josh Hill (Ben Wyatt 72), Christian Frimpong, Mark-Anthony Okoye, Diaz Wright (Luke Allen 62), Billy Crook, Marcel Barrington, Dan Thompson (Reece Grant 55), Roman Michael-Percil.

Subs not used: Mahrez Bettache, Matt Baxter.

Referee: Alex Blake.