The Fleet machine rolled on as two goals in each half put paid to a good Braintree side and made it eight wins out of eight to keep Dennis Kutrieb’s side top of the table.
It was two apiece for Dominic Poleon and Greg Cundle in the pouring rain in a game in sharp contrast to last season’s win over Braintree, the two crucial, breakthrough goals coming before half-time on this occasion.
Having been spared the rigours of a matchday on Saturday, Dennis Kutrieb kept his changes to just two as Joe Martin and Josh Wright replaced Haydn Hollis and Kieran Monlouis.
Braintree, a much-changed prospect from when last they locked horns with the Fleet, were quick to get amongst the Fleet, Alfie Matthews’ early shot blocked as the visitors capitalised on a misguided throw-in.
The visitors continued to press with Fleet’s best early chance coming as Craig Tanner hoisted a great ball forward for Poleon to run on to on the break but his cross into the middle found only a Braintree defender.
That partnership was clicking again on 13 minutes and almost too easily, Tanner’s pass slipped through to Poleon 12 yards out and everyone knew where the league’s top scorer was going to put it as he fired it low out of Jack Sims’ reach.
That knocked Braintree back on their feet and Fleet managed to control things a little more without the game ever really opening up. Sims was in action again on 23 minutes, down to Luke O’Neill’s shot but Braintree harried the home side as best they could, stifling the forward movement a little.
O’Neill had another opportunity as the half-hour approached, his clever lob from Omari Sterling’s setup floating towards but then away from Sims’ far post.
Fleet added a second on 34 minutes when Tanner’s ease of movement opened up some space and he found Josh Wright who switched play quickly for Cundle to attack into the box and fire home as he moved inside.
Braintree struggled to respond and only a Lamar Reynolds shot deflected behind right on half-time gave Fleet any cause for concern – other than the torrent of rain that continued to pour throughout the game.
The men from Essex resumed in a purposeful mood, however, with Fleet boss Kutrieb none too happy on the sidelines as blue shirts buzzed around the box for the first 10 minutes after the break.
O’Neill sent a low shot through a crowd from a corner on 58 minutes that Baris Altintop had to shepherd away from the line before Joe Muscatt sent a wild effort into the Swanscombe End after some neat Braintree approach play.
Next up was Cundle with a smart forward ball for Poleon to run on to. He almost stole in between a defender and Sims, though Wright managed to recycle the chance for Bingham who hit it wide. Moments later Tanner had a sniff on the edge of the box but surrounded by blue shirts, he couldn’t craft the opening to get a shot away.
Although comfortable enough at 2-0, Aaron Blair in particular continued to pose a threat on the ball and Fleet’s customary third goal was most welcome when it arrived on 70 minutes. It was Cundle with his second of the game, taking down O’Neill’s crossfield pass and twisting his way around Matt Rush to bury a shot.
The jubilation had barely died down when Fleet no doubt ruined a few betting coupons by making it four. This time it was Josh Wright with the ball through after Tanner’s clearance with the outside of his boot and Poleon sped through on goal, smashing home his ninth of this short season so far.
Fleet might have ended on the spectacular when substitute Ben Chapman sent a shot soaring to the top corner, Sims stretching wide to push it against the woodwork. It was exhibition stuff by then as the red shirts hovered around the box but had to be content with the four goals… and their fans certainly were!
EUFC: Cousins, O’Neill, Martin, Solly, Wright, N’Guessan (Monlouis 79), Cundle (Chapman 76), Sterling (McQueen 70), Tanner, Bingham, Poleon. Subs: Jombati, Edser
BTFC: Sims, Altintop, Ikebuasi, Muscatt, White, Clements, Blair, Payne (Anderson 61), Reynolds (Fowkes 61), Matthews, Rush (Clemons 76). Subs: Regis, Marigliani
Attendance: 945
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