Woodbridge Town enjoyed their biggest win of the season with a confident and competent performance against Braintree Town Reserves.

East Anglian Daily Times: apparently 'it wasn't him'!apparently 'it wasn't him'! (Image: Archant)

The Woodpeckers shaded the first half, on a blustery afternoon – a Jerome Haynes goal putting them ahead at the break.

However, playing against the elements in the second period, their performance level cranked up considerably and further goals from Armani Schaar and substitute George Mrozek saw them run out deserved 3-0 victors.This was good stuff from the home side.

Coming on the back of a hugely disappointing home defeat to Cornard seven days earlier, Jamie Scales’ team went about their task with zest and relish.

Conditions were not easy for tippy-tappy football, but the ball was on the ground more than in the air and intentions from both sides was to try and play neat and tidy football.

East Anglian Daily Times: Armani Schaar slots home Woodbridge's third goal.Armani Schaar slots home Woodbridge's third goal. (Image: Archant)

Braintree are one of six reserves sides in Thurlow Nunn Division One, with Team Bury, closely associated with Bury Town, acting like another.

These teams bring a great deal of variation to the division and Iron have had some notable results this campaign – they were third in the form table coming into this match.

However, they were second best on Saturday, to a young Woodpeckers side who are still trying to find their feet at this level after a poor start to the season.

Relegation from the Premier Division has seen the Notcutts Park club have to re-invent itself.

In a division where there is money floating about, Woodbridge don’t have that luxury and are having to build from within.

There was certainly plenty for the home crowd to be enthused about on Saturday, with youngsters Schaar, Mrozek and Will Seccombe all impressing.

Woodbridge boss Scales went for a 4-4-2 and Ryan Keeble, who enjoyed a fine game, was quickly into the action down the left, crossing well, but no-one was one of the end of his effort that flew across the six-yard box.

Haynes won a free-kick 25 yards out but Iron skipper Joe Moore cleared well, but it was 1-0 on 24 minutes when Haynes slotted home from 13 yards after persistent work from the impressive Schaar, who battled his way into the box.

Lewis Soraf stung Woodbridge ‘keeper Luke Kingham-Jones’ hands but it was Woodbridge who were growing in confidence as the half wore on.

The second period was only four minutes old when Schaar ran onto a through-ball, getting it under control and sliding it past Luke Banner in the visiting goal.

Keeble and Simon Dean were work-ing well in the midfield for the home side and young Mrozek was a real handful when he came on – collecting a pass and playing a one-two with Schaar – Mrozek’s deflected shot going in to make in 3-0 with just 11 minutes left.

The wind died down and the sun peeped out in the final minutes of the game.

There is still a long way to go for Woodbridge. But the signs are encouraging that the Woodpeckers could be on the rise once more.

Boss is happy with team’s performance

Woodbridge Town boss Jamie Scales heaped praise on his side after they recorded their biggest win of the season at home to Braintree Town Reserves on Saturday, writes Mike Bacon.

Scales had been critical of his team’s performance against Cornard last week, a 3-0 home defeat.

But he put all that aside on Saturday after the Woodpeckers’ fine win.

“We beat March Town two weeks ago and then didn’t kick on last week against Cornard,” he said.

“But today it was just perfect. Three goals, a clean sheet and a performance to match.

“Now, I say to the players – let’s kick on again – at Haverhill Borough next week.

“We’ve picked up six points out of nine in our last three games, but it should have been nine.

“Overall the signs are really positive though. The team are young and getting to grips with Division One football – even though it has taken a while to do so!

“But remember a lot of these players have come from under-18 football to the first team and it takes a bit of adapting.”

One of those players who has done that is striker Armani Schaar, who was voted man-of-the-match.

He was in the under-16s at the Woodpeckers and led the line well against Braintree, scoring one and setting up the other two.

“I’m delighted we played well and got the result,” he said.

“We were all disappointed we didn’t kick on after the March result. We talked about doing so and it didn’t happen.

“So, we have had another chat after the game today to kick on again, hopefully this time we will.”

Teams

Woodbridge Town: Kingham-Jones, Nwosu, Moss, Hunter (sub Makris 70), Langfield, Seccombe, Dean, Cole, Schaar, Haynes (sub Mrozek 61), Keeble (sub Harbut 70).

Unused sub: Velzian.

Braintree town res: Banner, Tarman, Smith, Soraf (sub Manduakila 60), Elliott, Moore, Baxter, Sorrell (sub Labonne 46), Mallett, Walker, Tyrer (sub Willis).

Unused subs: Gilder and Leader

referee: Mr Tikmpani.Att: 73