BRAINTREE Town beat West Bromwich Albion under-21s 3-2 to go top of their group in the Vanarama National League Cup, writes DAVID WARD.

This was another impressive performance from the Iron - the second in four days - to beat a youthful but fast and clever Albion side at the Rare Breed Meat Company Stadium, a win that puts them top of their mini league in this new cup competition.

Again playing with a refreshing and really all round 'team' workmanlike style of football and on the front foot from the start, they fully deserved to overcome their visitors.

(Image: JON WEAVER)

It was just a pity that only 123 fans turned out on a cold night to witness the complete rebirth of the Braintree side, brimming with confidence and endeavour and chasing and working for one another.

Under interim manager Justin Moseley, who rested and relegated to the bench six first teamers and started with some players who have not been totally involved in recent weeks, this performance was both entertaining and enjoyable to watch.

The Iron had a great start when the recalled Jamal Fyfield drilled home a spectacular unstoppable volley on 16 minutes, which again gave the whole team a lift.

But despite several near misses they soon found themselves two goals behind from young in-form Albion striker Regen Cleary.

(Image: JON WEAVER)

The 20 year-old, just recalled from a successful loan spell at Walsall, struck two excellent goals on 29 and 41 minutes but undeterred, the Iron's Kyrell Lisbie squeezed in a deserved equaliser right on half-time.

At this stage it was no more than the Iron deserved because they had more than held their own against the Championship side's young guns and with a little patience one or two of their earlier efforts could have given them the interval lead.

The second half was just as entertaining as the first and with several substitutions for both sides.

But it was the Iron who rightly grabbed the winner on 79 minutes when Inih Effiong stabbed the ball into the net from close range after good work fellow Iron substitute, Chay Cooper.

(Image: JON WEAVER)

Late on the visitors pressed hard for another equaliser but the Iron rearguard stood firm and in fact could have two late goals in the dying moments with the ball scrambled away at the last moment, on each occasion.

So the Iron deservedly won and picked up another £8,000 for their victory and as league leaders, stand a good chance of qualifying for the final stages of the competition.

With Braintree expected to announce their new manager in time for Saturday's home FA Trophy tie with Forest Green Rovers (kick off 3pm), fans will be hoping to see this renewed and refreshing style of football continue and then transferred to their league programme a week on Saturday, when they visit Yeovil.

Next Tuesday, the Iron have another home match in the National League Cup when they entertain Nottingham Forest U21, kick-off 7.30pm.