SOUTHPORT 0 BRAINTREE TOWN 2

Vanarama Conference Premier

Braintree Town moved up to 15th in the Vanarama Conference Premier table with a three-point haul at Southport.

It was a long trip for the Iron’s final midweek game of the season but goals from Jordan Cox and Chez Isaac made sure the journey home would be a happy one.

The win meant Braintree kept their perfect record going on trips to Southport and they have now scored 12 goals and not conceded on their four visits to Haig Avenue in the Conference Premier. 

There were three changes for the Iron from the side that drew 1-1 with Aldershot Town on Saturday.

Nick Hamann was back in goal after Carl Pentney’s debut appearance at the weekend, while Matt Paine returned from injury and Bernard Mensah also returned to the starting line-up.

Dropping out were Pentney, the injured Ryan Peters and Simeon Akinola, who was on the bench.

There wasn’t too much to choose between the two sides in the opening 45 minutes, but the better of the goal scoring chances fell to the Iron.

Cox had the best chance in the early stages, forcing Southport keeper Tony Thompson into a save in the 14th minute, before seeing his follow-up effort blocked and no-on was able to get the loose ball over the line.

Southport did begin to get into the game, but the Iron stayed on the front foot and it was Cox again with the chance as his header was just wide of the target when he really should have tested Thompson.

A long throw by Sam Habergham then fell for Chez Isaac in the area but he dwelled a fraction too long before taking his shot and the Port were able to clear the danger and break out.

And they almost capitalised as Remy Clerima was forced into a mistake that opened an opportunity for Steven Hewitt, but Hamann made a sharp save to keep it goalless at the break.

Having seen their opponents have the better of the chances in the first-half, Southport did all the pressing at the start of the second.

With Welling winning against Wrexham, the hosts knew the pressure was on for them to get something from the game as they battle against the threat of relegation, however, all their possession counted for nothing as the Iron took the lead on 56 minutes.

It was Mensah who got his cross in and Cox just about got his head to the ball ahead of Port defender Tom Davies to divert it past a rooted Thompson in the home goal.

The goal enlivened Braintree and Matt Paine then went close as his shot from outside the area flew just wide, but Southport surged forward looking for a way back into the game.

Luke Foster saw an effort saved by Hamann and George Donnelly sent a shot just past the post of the Braintree goal, while Connor McCarthy got his head to a cross from Paul Rutherford but it was also just wide.

Hamann then had to make a stop as Davies headed towards goal from a free-kick but an equaliser wouldn’t come and Braintree were able to regain control in the latter stages with a second goal.

A good move in the 84th minute saw Habergham and substitute Simeon Akinola move the ball forward to Isaac who unleashed a lovely shot that flew into the Southport net.

It gave them the breathing space they needed to see the game out without any further dramas and saw them move up to 15th in the table.

Braintree: Nick Hamann, Mitch Brundle, Matt Paine, Kenny Davis, Sam Habergham, Alan Massey, Chez Isaac, Remy Clerima, Dan Sparkes (James Mulley 86), Bernard Mensah (Simeon Akinola 73), Jordan Cox (Sean Marks 84). Subs not used: Joe Maybanks, Carl Pentney. Referee: Karl Evans.