Braintree II 2 - Havering II 8

Braintree II 2 - Havering II 8

A strong second half performance saw Havering beat hosts Braintree and boost their goal difference in what could be a tight promotion race.

In an even first half, Havering took the lead through Greg Carolan but Braintree soon hit back twice. Lewis Smith, returning from a long injury lay-off, fired home from a short-corner to level the scores just before the break.

The visitors started the second half brightly and took the lead again through Bill Birbeck. Zak Nerukar then doubled Havering’s advantage but was soon forced off due to a serious looking leg injury. The long stoppage did nothing to halt Havering’s momentum and Carolan scored twice more after play restarted to complete his hat-trick and put the game beyond Braintree.

Havering were still not finished and a powerful strike from Haydn Joslin along with a close range effort from James Walker completed the rout.