BRAINTREE Town ran out 3-1 winners over National League North side Peterborough Sports in their latest friendly, writes DAVID WARD.
The Iron faced their sternest pre-season test against their newly-promoted visitors at the Dunmow Group Stadium and after a difficult first half, eventually ran out comfortable winners.
Again starting with their strongest and likely first team with trialist Levi Amantchi also leading the front line, Braintree found it tough going in the first period from a strong and well organised and disciplined visitors in what was a fast, entertaining game.
The visitors had the upper hand in the first half and only a tremendous save by Iron keeper Jack Sims ten minutes from the interval as he was left one to with a visiting attacker denied them from taking the lead.
The second half saw the Iron become more dominant with Amantchi, who scored two goals on his debut in the 4-1 win at Needham Market last Saturday, again leading the line with strength and determination.
Amantchi is still only 21 years old having already played for a variety of clubs, starting with Chesterfield, Darlington and Blyth Spartans and ending last season at Potters Bar Town.
He is still on trial but looks to be the ideal solution to Iron's long-term problem of having a big, strong goalscorer in their side.
With more cohesion and quick passing and movement at the start of the second half, it was no surprise when they took the lead on 55 minutes.
Following good team work down the right wing, Alfie Matthews cut inside the area to drive the ball low into the visitors' net.
The Iron, who made several second-half substitutions, kept up the pressure.
And Braintree scored again on 66 minutes when again good work down the right allowed Amantchi to cut inside the area and drive the ball low into the net for his third goal in just two games.
Two minutes from time the Iron duly added a third.
Another trialist, former Colchester United youngster Chris Regis, hit a brilliant first-time half volley home high into the net from just inside the area.
The 25-year-old attacking midfield has most recently has been plying his trade at Cambridge City and Barton Rovers.
Peterborough Sports did manage a last-minute consolation but it was immaterial because the Iron's vastly improved second-half performance was more than enough for them to clinch a deserved victory.
Next up for the Iron is a home game against Norwich City under-23s on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.
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