Braintree 2 Altrincham 0

Altrincham return from their long trip to Essex empty-handed as hosts Braintree eased to victory at The Rare Breed Meat Co. Stadium. 

The home side were on the front foot from the start, and after a near miss by Marley Marshall-Miranda, who headed over with the goal at his mercy on 12 minutes, they were soon took a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Louie Annesley crossed in deep from the right flank and Jermaine Francis was able to stoop to head past Ethan Ross in a crowded six yard box.

The pressure continued as the half went on, with Alty struggling to create anything of note in the final third. Ross made a smart save down low off Frankie Terry, and from the resulting corner Elliot Osborne made a miraculous clearance off the line as Francis looked certain to score his second of the afternoon.

The final chances of the half also fell to Braintree, following a succession of corners. Jamal Fyfield saw an effort fly over the bar and Inih Effiong's low shot flashed just wide.

The second half began in a more even fashion, with Alty more intent in their forward play. Tylor Golden had half a yard to set himself up to hit one from range that went wide, alluding to a much brighter outlook for the visitors.

A better chance fell to Regan Linney just after the hour when an Alex Newby free kick hit the post via home defender Fyfield, with the rebound just wide from Alty's number nine. 

Aside from a half-chance for Terry off a low Effiong centre at the other end, the final 25 minutes was cut up with a midfield battle, substitutions and little in the way of excitement.

Substitute Kahrel Reddin had one sight of goal late on, but his swerving effort from 20 yards went wide, before the hosts had the final word; John Akinde rolling home an injury-time penalty to seal the victory after James Jones had brought down Rio Davidson-Phipps. 

Braintree Covolan; Langston (c), Annesley, Vennings, Marshall-Miranda (Davidson-Phipps, 69'), Effiong (Akinde, 69'), Fyfield, Terry, Robinson, Francis, Wilkinson (Blackwell, 76'). Subs not used: Cooper, Lock, Kelly.

Altrincham Ross; Banks, Osborne, Linney, Newby (Kosylo, 71'), Amaluzor (Reddin, 77'), J.Jones (c), Wilson, Golden (E.Jones, 71'), Nuttall (Crankshaw, 62'), Teale. Subs not used: German, Bailey, Randle.

HT 1-0

Goals Francis 18', Akinde 90'+1 | None

Yellows Marshall-Miranda 35', Fyfield 54', Akinde 73' | Golden 55', Crankshaw, 87')

Reds None | None

Referee Oliver Mackey

Assistants Andrew Gray & Ryan Head

Fourth official George Laflin

Attendance 726

Next Up

Our National League Cup campaign gets underway on Tuesday (7:30pm) - Blackburn Rovers the visitors to The J.Davidson Stadium and it's FREE entry for the whole community, thanks to match sponsor Longworth & Taylor Ltd.

No ticket required - just head for the turnstiles from 6:30pm and we'll let you in for pre-match drinks in the Fan Zone and CSH Bar.