Shaq Coulthirst has put the pedal to the metal at The Iron in the opening games of his loan spell at Braintree Town as he struck his third goal in his last two games in Vanarama National League South action this past few days.

The Fleet striker netted on his home debut at the weekend as Braintree put Havant & Waterlooville to the sword to the tune of 4-1. And Coulthirst had his eye on the prize again in midweek as Braintree scored four once more, only this time he struck twice in 25 minutes as Angelo Harrop’s men beat last year’s promotion finalists St Albans City 4-0.

Coulthirst will aim for more goals against struggling Eastbourne Borough and then Welling United in the next couple of games as Braintree seek to build on their rise to the edge of the play-offs since his loan arrival.

Elsewhere, Fleet goalkeeper Harrison Firth has been enjoying regular game time at Chipstead in the Isthmian South Central division. And he got to experience a successful penalty shootout as he was in the side that won on spot-kicks against South Park in the Velocity Cup. The Fleet’s No.13 has made eight appearances for the Chips in total, gaining regular and valuable senior experience and boss Dean Sammut has returned a glowing report on Firth’s progress back to Dennis Kutrieb and his staff.

Firth has also kept two clean sheets as Chipstead have picked up seven points plus cup progress in his time with the Surrey club.

Fellow keeper Chris Haigh, of course, has been in constant action for Oxford City – who have just signed cover between the posts in Southampton loanee Jack Bycroft for when they visit the Kuflink Stadium on the 18th. While Haigh won’t be playing in that one, he has racked up 20 games in National League and Emirates FA Cup action for the club he won promotion with last season (one of his two promotions in 2022/23!).