U’s loanee James nets winner for Braintree Town

Alan Devonshire, pictured during his days as Braintree Town boss, saw his Maidenhead side lose to his old club on Saturday. Picture: NEIL DADY (Image: Archant)

Braintree Town ended 2018 on a winning note, to end a miserable run of no wins in eight matches, thanks to a slender victory on the road at Maidenhead United, who are managed by former Iron boss Alan Devonshire.

The Iron were rock bottom of the National League, after picking up just two points in eight matches, and they remain at the foot of the National League despite Saturday’s welcome success, which was secured via a second-half winner from Colchester United loanee, Cameron James.

However, this latest result will given Hakan Hayrettin’s men some encouragement, going into the new year – they begin with a home match against Ebbsfleet United tomorrow.

Their fourth win, from 27 matches, sees them seven points afrift of safety, and six points behind Saturday’s hosts Maidenhead, who are third from bottom.

The home side had the ball in the Braintree net after just 10 minutes, but Maidenhead’s Josh Kelly saw his effort ruled out for offside.

Goalless at half-time, The Iron took the game to Maidenhead during the second half.

On 52 minutes, Justin Amaluzar was felled in the home 18-yard box for what looked to be a penalty, but referee Sam Purkiss waved away appeals.

However, Iron continued to work hard and finally broke the deadlock midway through the second half, with what proved to be the winner.

Lyle Della-Verde’s corner found Cameron James at the near post, and he rose to head past stranded home keeper Carl Pentney.

Just as important as the goal was a brave blocking save from Iron keeper Ben Killip, 15 minutes from the end. Killip did well to deny loanee Dave Tarpey when the home player was through on goal.

Iron could have added a second late on, when Callum Morton unlocked the Maidenhead defence, but Pentney did well to block the Iron forward from close range.

BRAINTREE: Killip, Muleba, Ellul, Gabriel, Lyons-Foster, Borg (sub Barrington, 85), James, Richards, Della-Verde (sub Allen, 79), Morton, Amaluzor (sub Sagaf, 90). Unused subs: Clayton-Phillips, Curran. Attendance: 1,218.

- Chelmsford City are up to fifth in National League South, thanks to a fifth win in their last six home games, a 2-1 victory over Hemel Hempstead on Saturday.

The visitors took the lead in the second minute, Stephen Cawley lobbing keeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer.

But Scott Fenwick equalised in a goalmouth scramble on 31 minutes, before Tom Wraight steered home the winner just five mintues later, at the second attempt.