BRAINTREE TOWN 3 ALTRINCHAM 0

Vanarama National League

Braintree Town knew what they had to do to seal a place in the Vanarama National League play-offs and they did it with a stylish flourish.

In front of a home crowd of 1,803, which easily eclipsed the previous highest – 1,394 for the league game against Grimsby in October – the Iron completed a very professional job with a 3-0 win against Altrincham.

It was a result that confirmed the visitors’ relegation, but more importantly for the Iron and their fans, meant their season would continue with a history-making appearance in the play-offs.

The highest they had ever finished in the past was sixth – two years ago – but their win at the Avanti Stadium, coupled with results elsewhere – defeats for Grimsby and Dover – saw them finish third in the table.

They came into the final game of the regular season knowing exactly what was required and they delivered with a typically robust performance.

It was underpinned by hard work all over the pitch and ensured that Altrincham never really had a look-in throughout the 90 minutes.

Two first-half goals by Michal Cheek, a third by Mitch Brundle after the break and a 23rd clean sheet of the season meant it was job done and the vocal home crowd were left looking forward to further action.

Braintree will now travel to Grimsby on Thursday for the first leg of their play-off semi-final, with the second leg taking place at the Avanti Stadium on May 8.

The main bit of team news for the Iron before the game and the only change from the side that began the 3-2 win at Wrexham seven days before was Matt Paine returning to the starting line-up.

It was Paine’s first start since injuring his ankle against Gateshead on March 15 and his comeback meant Taylor Miles dropped to the bench.

Chez Isaac was close to making this game but his hamstring injury hadn't recovered enough for him to be involved.

It was a bright start from the Iron with any threats towards goal heading the way of Altrincham keeper Tim Deasy and that was pretty much the way it stayed over the 90 minutes.

The closest Braintree went to breaking the deadlock in the opening minutes came in the eighth but the ball just wouldn’t fall for them.

Sam Habergham crossed from the left to the back post and the ball was met by head of Mitch Brundle to set up a chance for Michael Cheek, but he was just unable to turn the loose ball in before the clearance was made.

A corner in 15th minute then fell to Kenny Davis at the back post and he unleashed a fierce low drive but a block kept it out as Altrincham just about held on to parity.

However, that wasn’t to last as the Iron got the goal that their bright play had merited in the 17th minute.

Simeon Akinola, who tormented the Altrincham back line in the early stages, got clear and struck a shot that flew across the goal to where Michael Cheek was coming in to tuck the ball in.

It was the early breakthrough that Braintree so badly wanted and eased any nerves the hosts may have been feeling.

They almost went 2-0 up soon after when Sam Habergham’s free-kick from the right was misjudged by Altrincham keeper Tim Deasy.

He punched the ball and it flew up in the air allowing Mitch Brundle to have a free header with the goal gaping but the angle was just too acute and he headed across the goal rather than in it.

It was all Braintree at this point and a 22nd minute corner fell to Davis once again on the edge of the box and his shot flashed just wide after taking a deflection.

Their dominance was such that a second goal was really needed to reflect the control that the hosts had held throughout the first half and it finally arrived three minutes before the break.

It was Cheek again with another close-range goal.

All he had to do this time was tap home after Brundle had done brilliantly down the right, got clear and lofted a wonderful ball across the face of goal.

Any home nerves were calmed once more as the Iron gave themselves the breathing space they needed and they came out with equal purpose after the break.

They were on the front foot from the start and a reat run down the left by Habergham and ball into the centre almost set up a third goal.

It dropped almost under the bar on to the head of Brundle but he couldn't contort his body to get it on target.

He had scored the third goal in both of the Iron’s previous two games and he wasn’t to be denied on this occasion.

Some superb work inside the area by Akinola left the Altrincham defence scratching their heads and he fed the ball into the centre to where Brundle slammed it home to extend the Iron’s zone of comfort even further.

There were further chances to extend it even more, but the Iron knew their work was complete and they could look forward to at least an extra week of action.

Braintree Town: Tom King, Sean Long, Mark Phillips, Matt Fry, Sam Habergham, Mitch Brundle, Matt Paine, Kenny Davis (Taylor Miles 75), Alex Woodyard, Simeon Akinola (Dan Sparkes 78), Michael Cheek (Sean Marks 65).

Subs not used: Harry Cardwell, Remy Clerima.

Referee: Ollie Yates.