‘We have to be more clinical’ insists Iron boss Quinton

Billy Crook, who returned to the Braintree Town side after a five-match suspension. Picture: STEVE WALLER (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

Braintree Town are still seeking their first league win of the season after this long trek to the north west on Saturday saw them again lose by just one goal at Holker Street, despite a stirring second-half display that should have at least earned them a point.

The Iron put tremendous pressure on the home defence in the latter part of the game but it was their old problem of not having anyone to put the final ball into the back of the opposition’s net.

Manager Brad Quinton said he was bitterly disappointed that his team didn’t at least get a draw from what was an entertaining game.

Quinton said: “We have to be more clinical in the final quarter and particularly in front of goal.

Former Braintree Town boss, Alan Devonshire, who will be back at Cressing Road today with his current club Maidenhead United.

“Everyone worked hard and we looked stronger at the back compared to the previous game. where we let in four goals. “We are making progress and we will score goals, which is what is needed.”

The manager made two changes from the previous week’s 4-3 home defeat to Havant & Waterlooville, bringing in Dan Thompson and now free-from-suspension Billy Crook. He dropped Mahrex Bettache and Lyle Della-Verde to the bench.

The Iron again had the worst possible, conceding an early goal when John Rooney fired the home side into a seventh minute lead lead after Jack Barthram had created the opening on the wing.

The Iron goal was under pressure in the first half as Barrow tried to extend their lead, and twice keeper Ben Killip was forced to bring off two fine saves, the best being from a fierce Jason Tyler shot.

After regrouping the Iron began to settle down more and they could have equalised before the break, but Mohamed Bettamer’s shot was too weak.

The second half was a much better one for the Iron as they slowly began to create more going forward. They thought they had equalised when young Reece Grant forced the ball home, but he was unfortunately flagged offside.

In the latter stages of the game the Iron looked far stronger and put serious pressure on the home defence, but not having an experienced goal-getter up front remains the chief problem.

BRAINTREE: Killip, Muleba, Clark, Hill, Lyons-Foster, Allen, Durojaiye, Crook (su Della-Verde, 80), Bettamer, Thompson (sub Rapai, 66), Grant (sub Pattison 78).

Unused subs: Bettache, Ochieng.

Attendance: 1,232.