DAN Holman is not one to hang around.

Some players take time to settle in, and get to know their new surroundings, before producing the goods at a new club. But Holman is not one of them!

Braintree Town’s new recruit had only just learned the names of his new team-mates, and had never even trained with them, before turning out for a memorable debut at Woking on Tuesday night.

A super-confident Holman slammed home the first and last goals in Iron’s fantastic 4-1 win at the Kingfield Stadium.

And they were no ordinary goals. The ex-Histon striker helped himself to a long-range brace, one with his left boot and the other with his right, to suggest that Braintree have found themselves a real gem.

“I had only just met the lads really,” explained Holman.

“I have not trained yet, and I literally just signed before the game on Saturday (2-1 defeat to Newport County).

“I did get to know everyone’s names before kick-off, but the first time I played with them at all was tonight,” added Holman, following Iron’s second win of the season at Woking.

Just over a year ago, Holman was playing in the United Counties League for Northamptonshire club Long Buckby AFC.

But now the 22-year-old is gracing a national stage, at Blue Square Premier level, following a prolific last season at Histon in the Blue Square North.

Holman bagged 29 league goals for Histon, but he couldn’t wait to test himself at a higher level still. The early signs are encouraging.

“It’s a good start for me. I am happy to be stepping up a level, and to get two goals on my debut makes me well happy,” enthused Holman.

“The last few days have all been a bit of a blur, having started the season at Histon and then getting my move so quickly.

“I haven’t thought about targets, but I’d love to score even more goals than last year, if I can.

“I know it’s going to be harder, at a higher level, but it would be brilliant to get 20 goals this season.

“Last year, at Histon, I played up front all on my own, and I found it difficult at times against big defenders.

“But it was good to play off Gashy (Michael Gash). That was perfect for me, with him taking the knocks and flicking it on. It suits me well.”

Braintree boss Alan Devonshire had been searching for a permanent replacement for striker Ben Wright, who had left Cressing Road to join Forest Green Rovers at the start of the summer.

He signed Gash on loan from Cambridge United a couple of weeks ago, to increase the attacking options, but fellow front-man Holman has been secured on a three-year deal.

Holman explained: “I knew of Braintree’s interest, and that a few offers had been rejected.

“But luckily one was accepted by Histon, which I’m thankful for, to get the chance to play in the Conference.

“There was one offer from another club, in the same league (Blue Square North), but it was not really a big decision to step up to the next level,” added Holman.