BRAINTREE TOWN are the early leaders of Blue Square Bet South after winning 3-0 at Maidenhead United.

Goals from Sam Lechmere, Kenny Davis and Sean Marks helped the Iron secure their second successive 3-0 victory, following their triumph over Farnborough last weekend.

Iron manager Rod Stringer said: “The lads worked hard for the full 90 minutes.

“We shut down the space and all three goals were well executed.

“Maidenhead worked hard and Drax (Johnson Hippolyte) has got a good side, so it was another good three points for us.”

Braintree, who kept the same line-up that started against Boro, took the lead midway through the first half.

Lechmere fired powerfully into the bottom corner from Brad Quinton’s corner.

Braintree could have doubled their advantage just before half-time when Danny Green’s 20-yard effort dipped just wide of the upright.

But the Magpies improved after the break and Keiron St Aimie’s snap-shot deflected just over the bar.

Braintree goalkeeper Nathan McDonald did very well to deny Maidenhead’s Ashley Smith, after the home midfielder’s mazy run had opened up the Braintree defence.

But Iron soon regained their composure and doubled their lead on the hour mark when Davis headed in Mark Jones’ precise cross.

Buoyed by the goal, Braintree put the game out of the home side’s reach with 22 minutes to go.

Lechmere broke past the left-back and drill a superb cross for Marks to slide the ball home.

Williams made a fine save to deny Lechmere late on, as Braintree secured another fine win.

HALSTEAD TOWN will host STANWAY ROVERS in the preliminary round of the FA Cup after beating Essex Senior League club London APSA 2-0 in their replay at Rosemary Lane.

Town dominated most of the game, especially in midfield and although the Londoners showed enthusiasm and looked dangerous down the flanks, they rarely looked like scoring.

Ryan Sutton in particular had an excellent first half and Town’s pressure told, four minutes before the break.

Following a short free-kick 20 yards from goal, Andy Joslin stepped over the ball and Adam Smith fired home a screamer.

The second half continued in the same vein, with Joslin and Hyun-Jin Lee mastering the midfield.

Town rained in attack after attack through Sutton and Jamie Williams, leaving the Londoners frustrated and deflated.

Halstead doubled their lead midway through the second half via Tom Devaux, who calmly slotted in from Lee Hurkitt’s short corner.

London APSA rallied towards the end and Halstead keeper Ed Wootten made a great save but Town held firm for their first win of the season.

In the Ridgeons League premier division, STANWAY ROVERS played out a 0-0 draw at Brantham Athletic.

It was Rovers’ second successive clean sheet, following their 4-0 win over Clapton in the FA Cup, last weekend.

FC CLACTON suffered their first defeat under new manager Steve Pitt after losing 2-1 against Felixstowe and Walton United at the Rush Green Bowl.

There was little to choose between the two sides and Felixstowe took the lead midway through the second half when a free-kick from the right was flicked on, leaving goalkeeper Paul Rutherford stranded.

But Clacton were back on level terms three minutes later when Sean Hillier drilled home through a crowded area.

But Felixstowe sealed the win with 12 minutes to go, to inflict upon the Seasiders their first defeat since winning promotion from division one last season.

In Group A of the Essex Senior League Cup, an under-strength WITHAM TOWN were beaten 1-0 at home by Bethnal Green United.

Isaac Aubyn scored the only goal of the game after just three minutes, to inflict upon Town their first defeat of the season.