AFC FYLDE 3

BRAINTREE TOWN 0

Vanarama National League

The last time Braintree Town had made a long trip north, they had returned with three precious Vanarama National League points in the bag, however, there was no Gateshead repeat when the Iron travelled to AFC Fylde.

The Essex side had been good travellers before as they won 1-0 in the north-east two weeks ago, but that remained as their only win of the season as Fylde beat them 3-0 in the north-west this time.

While Braintree were unable to make the most of chances they created, the Coasters showed them once again that sides in the National League will be clinical when given the opportunity.

A first-half goal by Serhat Tasdemir, added to ones after the break by Danny Philliskirk and Danny Rowe made it a comfortable afternoon for the hosts as Braintree stayed bottom in the table.

There were three changes for the Iron from the side that started the 5-1 defeat by leaders Leyton Orient in midweek as Mo Sagaf, Christie Pattison and Luke Allen all returned to the line-up.

Making way were Lyle Della-Verde and Michael Clark, who dropped to the bench and Billy Crook was out after not recovering from a knock to his knee he received against the O’s.

Braintree had to hit back after that midweek defeat as they looked to move clear of the foot of the table, so knew they had to be positive going forward from the first whistle.

They started on the front foot, with a chance in the opening minute as Pattison crossed to where Danny Rowe was waiting in the middle, but he was unable to get a strong contact with his volleyed effort and the ball ended up on the roof of the net.

It was an encouraging start, though, and Mohamed Bettamer was close to making contact with a teasing cross by Jon Muleba and Luke Allen then chanced his arm from outside the box, but was unable to keep his shot on target.

As has so often been the case this season when Braintree haven’t taken chances of their own, though, they have seen their opposition do just that and Fylde went ahead on 11 minutes.

The goal came when the Iron defence was unable to clear its lines and Tasdemir took advantage to drill the ball past Braintree keeper Ben Killip from an angle.

It was a setback that the visitors really didn’t need, but just as they had in the first half against Leyton Orient, they tried to respond positively to falling behind.

This time, though, there was no goal for the Iron before the break.

Pattison went close with a shot that grazed the top of the crossbar after cutting inside from the wing and Braintree were denied two penalty calls after Bettamer and then skipper Ricky Gabriel went down in the box only to see them declined on both occasions.

There was no further goal action ahead of half-time, but the break was delayed by an injury for referee Peter Gibbons that saw him have to exit and be replaced by fourth official Jon Kenny.

It meant AFC Fylde held a slender advantage at the end of the opening 45 minutes and it took them just five after the turnaround to double their lead.

The hosts’ second came on 50 minutes when Arlan Birch’s ball into the centre was met by the head of Philliskirk, who outjumped the Iron defence and placed the ball into the back of the net.

Braintree really had to get themselves back into the game now and Joe Ellul headed over from a corner, while Bettamer was unable to find the target when he broke clear of the Fylde back line on 63 minutes.

With Braintree unable to finish off the chances they created, the hosts once again showed them how to do it as Rowe – AFC Fylde’s Danny Rowe rather than the one in Braintree’s line-up – headed in from a cross from the left from close range on 69 minutes.

That third signalled the end of any Iron hopes of getting something from their trip and they had plenty of time to ponder their defeat on the long journey home.

Braintree Town: Ben Killip, Cameron James (Lyle Della-Verde 60), Dave Nieskens, Jon Muleba, Joe Ellul, Ricky Gabriel, Mo Sagaf, Danny Rowe (Reece Grant 53), Luke Allen, Christie Pattison, Mohamed Bettamer (Dan Thompson 69).

Substitutes not used: Pat Webber, Michael Clark.

Referee: Peter Gibbons (Jon Kenny).