BRAINTREE TOWN 1 WOKING 3

Vanarama National League

Having taken three points off one of their rivals in the battle to avoid relegation on Saturday, Braintree Town were unable to double up against another side struggling at the foot of the table.

The Iron were pleased to beat the Vanarama National League’s bottom side Southport 2-0 at the weekend, but it was a different story when Woking visited the Ironmongery Direct Stadium.

Things looked promising when Sam Corne – the same player who had scored twice against Southport – slammed home an impressive strike to put the hosts ahead on 21 minutes.

However, two goals from Delano Sam-Yorke in the ensuing five minutes put the Cards in the driving seat.

And with Braintree struggling to impose themselves up front, the game was put to bed by a third goal from Keiran Murtagh.

It was an unchanged Braintree side as manager Hakan Hayrettin kept faith with the one that started the 2-0 win against Southport.

It was the visitors who made the better start, though and should really have taken the lead in the third minute.

A lofted ball over the top caught the Iron defence flat-footed, allowing Delano Sam-Yorke to break clear and it took a great save from Ben McNamara to keep it out and ensure it stayed goalless.

There was then quickly a fantastic chance at the other end.

A neat layoff from Michael Cheek opened things up for Kris Twardek but it was Woking keeper Michael Poke's turn to make a superb close-range stop as both sides kept looking for the opener.

It was Woking who had the more attacking intent and the hosts were pressed into some scrambled clearances in the early stages.

A good break saw Jamie Lucas get clear at the back and it took a great recovery tackle from Jerome Okimo to deny the Woking midfielder a clear chance.

Braintree’s greatest threat in the early stages looked to come on the break, but they broke the deadlock from a familiar source.

Corne had scored twice in the win against Southport and his confidence was evident as he put Braintree ahead in the 21st minute.

He picked up the ball just outside the Woking box, took one look up and unleashed an unstoppable screamer into the top corner from 20 yards to spark home celebrations.

However, they were still going on when Woking got back on level terms with 24 minutes on the clock.

A ball into the middle was poorly defended by Braintree and Lucas forced McNamara into a great reaction save but, with the Iron back line static, Sam-Yorke was on hand to stab the ball in.

The Iron went looking to get back in front and raced down the other end, with Sean Clohessy curling a beautiful effort on to the Woking post.

However, they were caught napping at the back again in the 26th minute.

Sam-Yorke picked the ball up about 20 yards out and having seen Corne do it at the other end, he let rip with a great shot that flew past McNamara and into the top corner.

Braintree’s defence suddenly looked on the ropes and it took some frantic play to keep the Cards at bay, including a crucial block to deny Sam-Yorke a quick-fire hat-trick.

The hosts did settle as the half reached an end and the play became a bit scrappy from both sides as it ended with the Iron trailing by the single goal.

That almost became two in the first minutes after the break as an early free-kick saw Woking’s Joey Jones have a free header and fortunately for Braintree, he directly it straight at McNamara.

It was a let-off for the Iron but they were unable to build on their good fortune as they struggled to gain any foothold within the Woking half of the pitch as the visitors looked to have the greater goal threat.

Braintree saw that off, though, and while they began to see more possession and territory after the introduction of Alex Henshall off the bench, Woking stayed a threat.

And that was shown in the 70th minute when the Cards opened a two-goal lead.

The Iron defence was cut open by a good move from the visitors and with the ball laid back to Keiran Murtagh, he stroked it into the net past the dive of McNamara to make it 3-1.

Braintree made further changes to try and engineer a way back into the game, but while their endeavour couldn’t be faulted they struggled to break down the Cards’ defence.

They pressed in the closing minutes but could find no way through and Woking held on to the valuable three points.

Braintree Town: Ben McNamara, Sean Clohessy, Jerome Okimo, Christian Mbulu, Manny Parry, Sam Corne (Lee Barnard 78), Chez Isaac, Reece Hall-Johnson (Alex Henshall 60), Kris Twardek (Joe Maybanks 73), Jack Midson, Michael Cheek.

Unused subs: Kyron Farrell, Frankie Musonda.

Referee: Simon Barrow.