Ebbsfleet United 3 Braintree Town 1 match report: FA Trophy third round win with goals from Ben Chapman, Lennon Peake and Maxx Manktelow

Ebbsfleet produced an upset in the FA Trophy after knocking out 10-man Braintree on Saturday.

The Fleet eased through the third-round tie thanks to goals from Ben Chapman, Lennon Peake and substitute Maxx Manktelow.

Ebbsfleet made six changes from the side that lost to Worthing in National League South last weekend. The Fleet opted for the box midfield with Kwesi Appiah left as the lone striker.

National League visitors Braintree made four changes to their line-up after a drubbing in the league at FC Halifax.

One of those introduced for Braintree was Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who was outstanding in the first half, orchestrating every move for the visitors. The former Gillingham and Arsenal frontman showed every bit of quality in his locker in the number 10 role but was withdrawn on the hour after a slow start to the second half.

A fifth-minute set-piece nearly saw the hosts take the lead but Toby Edser shot over following a clever training-ground routine involving George Moncur.

The hosts went ahead in spectacular fashion on 16 minutes. Great footwork by Moncur saw him beat two players in the box on his way to the byline before pulling the ball back. Braintree’s Calum Logan fluffed clearing his lines and Charlie Seaman’s deflected shot fell perfectly for Chapman to execute a perfect overhead kick.

Chapman had spoken in the week about his eye for the spectacular in front of goal and, once again, he was true to his word.

Edser went into the book for a foul on Jacob Pinnington and the Fleet felt even more hard done by moments later when referee Jordan Crossley pointed to the penalty spot. Seaman went to clear after a headed down in the box but Tom Blackwell ran across him and went to ground.

Emmanuel-Thomas stepped up and tucked