THE excellent result in Essex on Saturday was a vital and valuable one.

You know what you are going to get at Braintree and it is much more than manager Alan Devonshire's natty flat cap.

The home team play with energy and vigour, denying the opposition any room to attack. Set pieces and long throws result in opposing teams being subject to an aerial bombardment.

Saturday was no exception. Braintree started the match at full-throttle, unsettling Rovers, who were very lucky to stay on level terms.

Three-nil to the home team could easily have been the scoreline, but manager Ady Pennock had obviously played his out of jail card. Rovers held firm, settled and had the best of the last hour of the game.

The first Rovers goal came from a corner, won by debutant Charlie Clough. Neat footwork from Jon Parkin did the rest. Braintree then brought on substitutes Marks and Sparks, prompting use of a shopping analogy. The Braintree finishing had so far been like shopping at a Del Boy market stall, with plenty of attractive offers on show, but which in reality came to nothing. The injection of M and S quality brought about the Braintree equaliser.

The Forest Green players thought otherwise and fought back scoring a goal, which to continue the shopping analogy was of Cheltenham Promenade quality.

There was class in every step. James Norwood, now on as sub, picked the ball up in the inside right position.

The way to goal was blocked. The opposition had covered all his options in typical Braintree fashion but instead of the "headless chicken" James running helter-skelter into defenders and losing the ball, we saw a controlled angled run towards the left, ending with a delicious pass to winger Elliott Frear, who knew exactly what he had to do and produced a swift and measured cross.

On the end of it was our Queen's Hotel Parkin – impressive, majestic (we are still in the Promenade remember) but of course more mobile. The ball hitting the back of the net was one of the best moments of the season.

JP was my man-of-the-match, not just for his goals, but for his all round play. When our defence was initially all at sea Jon was our best defender as the corners rained in. His hold up play was first class and six goals in three league games speaks for itself.

Clough got better and better. He is a defender who brings to defence a zest and vigour we may have been lacking. Stuart Fleetwood showed a true footballing side to his game being more play maker than finisher. That role nearly belonged to Sam Wedgebury whose fine first half strike was brilliantly stopped by the home keeper.

Our keeper did pretty well and was another MoM candidate. Sensibly punching crosses away as well as catching them, Sam was, as ever, Mr Reliable. His best work however was in the muddy goalmouth at very close range when he somehow deprived the Braintree forwards of the ball.

Not all was perfect. From far too many corners Braintree forwards won clean headers. Thank goodness for the Del boy market stall finishing because they should have made the game safe. They did not. Rovers stood firm and won and deserve much credit.

Two questions remain. Firstly is Norwood worthy of a starting place. Readers of this column know of my admiration for Nors, warts and all so will not be surprised that my answer is an emphatic YES.

This means that he can start on the right and the willing Kurtis Guthrie can resume his productive partnership with JP. Stuart who can play in a variety of roles can be a valuable and important substitute.

The other question concerns winger Frear. He sees much of the ball, but how well does he use it? I know he drives some people to distraction with his crossing, but he has a large number of 'assists' to his credit, none more valuable than his match winning cross on Saturday. My view is that he is getting better and better and must start every game. He brings a different dimension to our play. Keep going Elliott.