Tonbridge Angels went into their home match against Braintree on the back of last Tuesday’s 2-2 draw and a deserved 1-0 victory against Ebbsfleet on Tuesday, The Iron on the other hand, came on the back of a recent managerial change and a lot of squad restructure.

It was the visitors who got the game underway as The Angels looked for a repeat of the lightening fast start they experienced against Eastbourne a week ago

The home side came close in the 4th minute but a low ball across the box was palmed away by Ohman in the visiting goal.

The Angels came close again a few minutes later, but Ohman once again got his gloves to the effort from Turner.

The bright start continued until Braintree won a corner just before the quarter hour, the corner fired in causing a scuffle in the angels box resulting in another corner which was easily saved by Denly.

Braintree grew into the game immediately, passes made with pinpoint accuracy, making a mockery of their lowly league position.  

As the clock hit 20 minutes a shot from 25 yards from Johnson hit the roof of the stand after easily clearing Denly’s crossbar.

The game became a battle of the midfield as both teams showed potential attacking threat only to be nullified before anything could develop into a meaningful attack.

As the half time whistle sounded it was clear that The Angels were tiring, and the big powerful Braintree side were certainly now gaining control.

It took 6 minutes of the second half for the visitors to take the lead, a position from which they didn’t look back. A great run from Jason Banton who forced his way through the Angels midfield before releasing the lively Johnvill Renee who cut in from the right and fired low and hard past Denly for his first goal for The Iron.

The pressure on The Angels defence continued as the Essex side continued to press, desperate to take the 3 points which would see them rise from the foot of the table, and 20 minutes later they were rewarded for their perseverance when ex Angel Tom Derry beat the offside trap and burst forward, Denly rushing a long way from goal as he realised the threat of a now one on one, Derry charged to the right of the box turning Denly before sliding the ball into an unguarded net from the edge of the box.

With Corey Davidson and goalscorer Renee causing serious issues for the home defence it was a serious case of how many more the visitors would score, with Derry, Banton, substitute Krasniqi and new signing Danny Bassett all coming close but to no avail.

Tommy Wood almost grabbed a late consolation for the hosts but Ohman once again pulled off a stunning save, meaning The Iron haven’t conceded a goal since George Borgs’ departure and the 3 points were safely on the way back to Essex.

Angels – Denly, Folkes, Campbell, Theobalds, Miles, Bray, Da Costa, Beere, Wood (Splatt), Akrofi (Williams) Turner (Greenhalgh).

Braintree- Ohman, Johnson-Schuster, Smith, Johnston, Olu Olu (Krasniqi 61), Renee (Bassett 83), Davidson, Banton (Yamfam 87), Derry.