Braintree Town progress in FA Trophy with win against Welling
Braintree's Dan Holman celebrates his goal against Welling. Photo: Neil Dady - Credit: Archant
Braintree Town eased into the second round of the FA Trophy, thanks to a comfortable victory over an under-strength Welling United at Cressing Road on Saturday.
Welling had recorded a surprise 3-2 win in Essex in October, to end a four-game winning streak for Iron in the Skrill Conference Premier.
But the Kent club had one eye on their FA Cup second round game at Plymouth Arygle next weekend, and also their long-term survival in the league.
That prompted Wings manager Jamie Day to rest several players, in all making six changes to the side that had played against Luton the previous weekend.
Braintree made them pay with a dominant performance, and they could have been out of sight before Dan Holman fially broke the deadlock in the 18th minute.
Ryan Peters had an early shot saved, and Sean Marks was denied by a goal-line clearance from Jake Gallagher following a corner by Kenny Davis.
But Holman made Iron’s pressure count by tucking home the rebound, after keeper Jamie Turner had failed to cling onto a through ball.
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The hosts continued to dictate, and James Mulley, Alan Massey, substitute Dan Sparkes, Davis and Chez Isaac all peppered the target in a one-sided display.
Finally, Sparkes effectively made the game safe by adding the all-important second in the 70th minute.
Fellow substitute Jordan Cox rounded off a satisfactory afternoon for Alan Devonshire’s men by netting a third in the 88th minute, beating Turner at his near post.
Devonshire said: “It’s a job well done, and that’s all that matters.
“That’s all it’s about in cup competitions.
“You just want to get through to the next round.
“I’ve always done quite well in the FA Trophy, but we want to go as far as we can this year.”
Iron, who are ninth in the Skrill Premier table, return to league action with a long trip to Chester next Saturday.
