Iron lose out in five-goal thriller (From Gazette)

Iron lose out in five-goal thriller

5:03pm Monday 29th August 2011 in Non-league football

Braintree Town suffered their first home defeat in the Blue Square Bet Premier when they were beaten 3-2 by Ebbsfleet United in a dramatic game at Cressing Road this afternoon.

Iron had twice led through Jai Reason goals but strikes from Tom Phipp, Joe Welch and Calum Willock gave the visitors victory, following two late goals.

Ebbsfleet looked dangerous early on and Ricky Shakes and Joe Howe both threatened the Braintree goal.

But Iron took the lead after 15 minutes through Reason, who converted from the penalty spot after Clint Easton had fouled Sean Marks in the penalty area.

Undeterred by the setback the visitors continued to press and Shakes might have done better when he headed straight at McDonald.

However, Fleet goalkeeper Preston Edwards saved well from Andy Yiadom before the break, as Braintree went in at half-time ahead.

Ebbsfleet continued to look bright after the break though and they equalised on the hour when Phipp converted from the spot, after Adam Bailey-Dennis had fouled Merrick in the area.

The spot-kick had been retaken following encroachment, after McDonald had saved Liam Enver-Marum’s first attempt.

But Braintree restored their lead nine minutes later through Reason, who coolly converted at the far post after Wright’s effort had come back off the post.

Iron substitute Chib Chilaka missed a good chance to wrap up victory for the home side with 11 minutes to go when he fired straight at Edwards from a good position.

And with three minutes to go, substitute Ginty scored from the spot after Willock had been adjudged to have been fouled in the area.

Willock then headed in from Phipp’s long free-kick to give Ebbsfleet the lead for the first time in the game, in the 90th minute.

And despite eight minutes of stoppage-time being added, Iron were unable to secure an equaliser.