A STUNNING first-half display helped Braintree Town run out comfortable 4-1 friendly winners against a plucky Ipswich Wanderers side just promoted to Pitching In Isthmian League division north, writes DAVID WARD.

Fielding what looks like the basis of his starting first team, Iron boss Angelo Harrop featured his latest signing, striker Will Davies from Leiston.

Harrop was delighted with the way his side performed, on what was a particularly hot afternoon for football.

Harrop said: "I'm really pleased with the way we played and the cohesion of the players bearing in mind we had six new players in the starting line-up.

"We all know that results in these kind of games is not so important because it's more about players getting into their stride and playing the way we want to - I was really impressed.

"Even though we completely changed the side at half time to give as many trialists it was good to see all the newcomers, many not having played together before, responding the same way as the experienced players in the first half.

"These kind of games are what pre-season friendlies are all about and this is what we expect in all such games before the official kick-off in August.

"It was also good to see so many of our fans at the game and vocally supporting the players.

"I also want to thank the Wanderers for the game and also their excellent hospitality and we wish them well as they start their first-ever season in the Isthmian League."

Harrop was certainly impressed by new striker Davies, who linked up quickly with another new goal-getter Nnamdi Nwachukwu.

It was their first game together and they showed glimpses of what Braintree fans can expect with attacking football, once the National League South season is underway.

"Getting two new strikers in was a priority having lost the two from last season and I was also impressed with our other newcomers on show - Josh Dawodu, Joe Grimwood and Toby Stevenson," he said.

"We've still work to do before the kick-off and will be giving some of today's trialists and others a chance to show us what they can do in the remaining friendlies."

Braintree had the best possible start against Ipswich Wanderers, taking the lead through Stevenson after only nine minutes.

The Iron dominated the game and added a second on 26 minutes through Nwachukwu, before Stevenson grabbed the side's third goal on 33 minutes.

Ipswich Wanderers scored a well-worked goal of their own on 40 minutes.

And with both sides making changes at the interval the game was still played at a fast pace, providing plenty of end to end entertainment for the crowd.

The best goal of the game came on 80 minutes when an unnamed Watford trialist struck a beautiful first time 35-yard shot into the top corner of the home net to make it 4-1 to the Iron.

Next up for Braintree is a home match against Harrop's former team, AFC Sudbury, at Cressing Road on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.