BRAINTREE TOWN 0 BOREHAM WOOD 2

Vanarama National League

Manager Danny Cowley was disappointed that Braintree Town team were unable to turn their first-half control into second-half points in their Vanarama National League clash with Boreham Wood.

Boreham became only the second side to do a home and away league double over the Iron this season as they won 2-0 at the Avanti Stadium after winning 1-0 in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day.

It was a frustrating evening for the hosts as they saw a run of 688 minutes of league football without conceding a home goal come to an end when Scott Doe headed in in the 48th minute.

The visitors then added a second in the 54th minute when Luke Howell hit a wonderful volley in from the edge of the box.

Cowley was disappointed to see his team lose, but especially so as they had had the better of the play in the first half, despite being unable to unlock a resolute Boreham defence.

“It was a bad night for us,” said the Braintree manager.

“I was really pleased with the first-half –performance as I thought we had good control of the game with good possession and territory.

“We had more shots on goal than we have all season at home but we needed to score when we had so much control.

“Obviously the second half is disappointing.

“It was a poor goal for us to concede and it was from a catalogue of errors – a poor free-kick given away and we could have dealt with the ball into our box better.

“The second one was certainly a great goal.

“We huffed and puffed thereafter but when you go two down it is always tough.

“Credit to Boreham, though, because they have good players and they are an ambitious club.

“They are trying to do things in the right way.

“They have gone full-time this season and are very keen to stay in this division so credit to them because they got two very good goals.”

Braintree did have chances with Michael Cheek and Simeon Akinola going close before the break, Akinola having a shot cleared off the line when it was 1-0, Kenny Davis glancing a header just past the post from a corner and Boreham keeper James Russell making a great save from an Anthony Edgar shot late on.

So Cowley was satisfied with his side’s attacking intent, but was disappointed that they weren’t able to build on the first-half control after the break.

“I thought we had more shots against Boreham Wood than we have all season,” he added.

“That’s my reflection and I was pleased with our attacking play.

“We’re never worried about missing them; we worry if we’re not creating them and there have been times this season when we haven’t been creating them at home.

“I didn’t see that as an issue against Boreham Wood.

“The issue was that we had control of the game and then made a catalogue of errors that, at this level, lead to you conceding.

“I thought we did really well once we did concede as we had one cleared off the line, so we got a good response, but they then scored a wonder goal.

“That sums up football and you have to accept that.

“We don’t score many goals and we’re not free-flowing but defensively we have been outstanding.

“You have to remember that we’re Braintree Town and we’re in the National League.

“You only have to look at the clubs in and around us and at their structures to see we’re more than punching above our weight.”

There was a further blow for Braintree as Matt Paine was sent off late on for a second yellow card, meaning he will be suspended for the weekend trip up to Barrow.