ANGELO Harrop was encouraged by Braintree Town's display in their 3-1 win at Leiston, writes DAVID WARD.
The Iron turned in a most impressive performance against a lively home side on the Suffolk coast, on Tuesday evening.
Boss Harrop is pleased with the progress his side are making, with the new National League season opener at Oldham Athletic less than a month away.
Harrop said: "This was another really good workout for the players, including the trialists we had on show, and it shows that we were much sharper and more clinical in front of goal than in our first pre-season game last week.
(Image: JON WEAVER)
"Nobody's getting carried away with the result because it's how we perform, competing against another good side, but we are improving although there's still a lot to do before the big kick-off."
Harrop used two completely different sides in each half against Leiston, with four trialists lining up in the first half alongside already signed players.
In the second half, Braintree had eight trialists on show alongside three signed players - Reggie Lambe, Ryan Clampin and Louie Annesley.
Harrop said: "I was pleased with the high tempo of both my sides in each half and we created several good scoring chances and we looked excellent going forward.
(Image: JON WEAVER)
"It was also good to see the trialists taking to our style of play whilst defensively we always looked strong and composed even though their attack caused us a few problems in the second half.
"We've still have other potential signings coming in on trial but overall I'm pleased with the progress we are making.
"I think training three days a week is beginning to show in our improving fitness levels.
"We have another hard game at Hornchurch on Saturday followed by two more potentially harder games during next week, at home to Crystal Palace on Tuesday and Cambridge United, next Friday."
(Image: JON WEAVER)
In this fast tempo game at Victory Road, the Iron took the lead on 17 minutes when Chay Cooper drove the ball low into the net, following an excellent move upfield.
Several other first-half chances went begging as Braintree dominated a fair percentage of the play, with their seven signed players showing great co-ordination with some excellent passing and tackling.
With Braintree's second half team mainly made up of trialists the tempo was much the same but perhaps not quite with the smooth co-ordination seen in the first half.
(Image: JON WEAVER)
Nevertheless, the Iron added two more fine goals on 51 and 59 minutes through two trialists but the home side, which included four former Iron players, had come back strongly.
One of their ex-Braintree players, Ben Fowkes, was on target in between the two second-half Iron goals.
Leiston also hit the bar late on but Harrop's side deservedly held on well to make it two straight wins, in their first pre-season friendlies.
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