HEYBRIDGE Swifts boss Jody Brown believes his side’s much-needed victory at Brentwood Town was the perfect end to a pleasing Christmas.

Swifts also beat Ryman League division north leaders Maldon and Tiptree on Boxing Day and produced an impressive performance at promotion hopefuls Brightlingsea Regent on New Year’s Eve, albeit going down 2-1.

However, it was Monday’s 2-1 win at Brentwood – achieved thanks to a late winner from Adam Adeoye Yuseff – that capped a great festive period.

“We were in a bit of bother squad-wise and missing eight-first team regulars,” said Brown.

“We had a lot of young players involved and had to call up four or five reserve players to make up a squad of 16.

“However, everyone played their part and, as a team, we showed so much character in testing conditions.

“I was really pleased with the reaction of my players after Brentwood equalised.

“We came under a lot of pressure and earlier in the season we would have drawn 1-1 or even lost 2-1.

“To win the game shows how much we’ve evolved.”

Brown suggested that Monday’s victory was his side’s best result over Christmas – eclipsing the Boxing Day win against Maldon.

“Maldon was an eye-catching victory,” he said.

“It was certainly a bonus and a great confidence-booster, not to mention the local rivalry.

“But the big result of our Christmas period was beating Brentwood.

“From our point of view, all eyes were always on the game because of the implications at the bottom of the table.

“All in all, it’s been a very good Christmas.

“We’ve taken six points from nine and the table now looks much healthier.”

Swifts head to Aveley on Saturday – managed by former Maldon boss Terry Spillane – before hosting Basildon United in the Essex Senior Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.