In front of a crowd of 300 on Tuesday, the Cressing Road stadium was lacking in atmosphere as Heybridge cruised into the fourth round of the Essex Senior Trophy.

Both sides were weakened by injuries but it was the in-form Heybridge that dominated the first half.

After a cautious start, Swifts caused the Town defence problems with the lively Chris Heasman and pacy John Devine chasing everything.

In the seventh minute, a Liam Cutbush chip into the home penalty area caused problems when the ball bounced through to Paul Catley in the home goal.

On the quarter hour, with play switching from end to end, a neat move involving Cutbush and Dave Streetley set Mark Cranfield up with a 30 yard drive that flew past Catley's post.

In the 18th minute, a foul by Iron's John Bishop saw Cranfield's free kick headed back across goal by Heasman to Adam Gillespie.

He headed the ball back to Heasman, who planted the ball firmly past Catley to open his account for Heybridge and give the Swifts the lead.

Braintree almost levelled in the 23rd minute when the irregular bounce of the ball saw Scott Forbes and then Terry Rayner squander the chance before Kingsley Banks saved well at his near post.

In the 28th minute, Alex Fiddes crossed to Heasman who headed in off the far post to increase the visitors' lead.

On 45 minutes, Heybridge netted their third goal when another Fiddes cross was headed firmly home by Colin Wall.

The second half was rather an anti-climax with Heybridge cruising through, and with 20 minutes remaining, a double substitution by Braintree brought on Bobby Mayes and Gary Collins.

Despite trying hard, Mayes had little support from his colleagues, and five minutes later Swifts made a triple substitution, including defender Ray Filby, 17, for his first team debut.

The nearest either side came to scoring in the second period was a minute from time when Mayes' shot was deflected wide by Forbes, but in the end it was a deserved victory for Heybridge who kept a clean sheet for the third consecutive match.

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