Braintree Town suffered a 6-1 home defeat to Championship side Norwich City, as both sides stepped up their preparations for the new season.

Two goals from the much-maligned Ricky van Wolfswinkel, plus strikes from Andrew Surman, Kyle Lafferty, Bradley Johnson and Nathan Redmond ensured a comfortable evening for Norwich, who travel to Ipswich Town on August 23.

Sean Marks pulled a goal back for Braintree with the score at 5-0, but it was nothing more than a consolation for Iron, for whom manager Alan Devonshire fielded a number of trialists and was missing the injured Charlie Strutton, Ryan Peters and Dan Sparkes.

It could have been more had it not been for some smart stops from Braintree ‘keeper Nick Hamman, although the goalkeeper was badly at fault for the third goal, scored by van Wolfswinkel, totally mis-kicking the ball on the edge of the area, allowing the Dutch striker to walk the ball into the goal.

Marks came closest for Town in the first half, prodding a close-range effort against the post, but Lafferty could have made City’s lead more comprehensive, however his looping header hit the top of the bar just before the interval.

Surman gave the Canaries an early sixth-minute lead, the former Bournemouth man converting at the back post after Wes Hoolahan dummied a cross from the right.

Lafferty doubled the lead on 26 minutes, the new signing from Palermo curling an exquisite free-kick over the wall and into Hamman’s bottom right-hand corner.

After showing their extra class in the first half, Norwich wasted little time in making it three, van Wolfswinkel not giving up on a long ball and getting his reward after Hamann went walkabout.

Redmond made it four with an effort from distance before Johnson put a gloss on proceedings with a fifth goal, much to the delight of a large travelling support.

Braintree pulled a goal back with about 15 minutes left to play, Marks heading home from close range after Jordan Cox nodded down a Kenny Davis free-kick.

There was still time for Norwich to grab a sixth and it came from van Wolfswinkel, the Dutch striker, who had a miserable time in front of goal last season, converting from close range after a cross to the back post.