RHYS Murrell-Williamson has revealed that the faith shown in him by manager George Borg has helped boost his confidence to be a key attacking threat for Braintree Town.

The Iron forward has been in and out of the team’s starting line-up since coming to Cressing Road in September, but his contribution in the 3-3 draw with Havant & Waterlooville last weekend highlighted just what he can offer.

Murrell-Williamson had an assist and scored twice, including the stunning 30-yard free-kick that snatched a Vanarama National League South point in the 96th minute against the high-flying Hawks.

They were part of a tremendous all-round display that earned him the man-of-the-match accolade and showed the qualities that Borg had spotted.

The Braintree boss said: “I sat and had a good chat with Rhys before the game because I knew how good he was and he didn’t disappoint me.”

And knowing that his manager had such confidence in him proved influential in Murrell-Williamson’s performance as he played a big part in all three goals.

He said: “The first one we got, my cross was actually a shot, but it made its way to Alfie (Cerulli) and he tucked it away.

“I don’t know whether to call it an assist or a shot, but then my first goal, once I got past the full-back, I thought, I’m one-on-one with the keeper and I knew I would shoot.

“And for the free-kick at the end, I wasn’t going to take it at first.

“Cam (Green) was on it and the manager said ‘Rhys, get on it, get on it!’ and I just thought ‘OK, I’ll have a go’.

“Since George had been back at the club, I hadn’t spoken to him until before that game against Havant.

“He told me he had watched a video of me and he said what a good player he thought I was.

“He said he wanted to get me back to that, so he would play me up front and I could do whatever I wanted to do to enjoy it.

“That really helped me because it lifted a weight off my shoulders.

“When I went out there I just wanted to go out and enjoy it and do what I knew I could do; it came off and I was glad to be able to help the team.”

The point against third-placed Havant & Waterlooville was a great way to start Braintree’s busy festive fixture list.

Hot on the heels of that is another Vanarama National League South outing as the Iron head to local rivals Chelmsford City on Boxing Day.

It will be a chance for the Iron and Clarets to renew an old rivalry and it is a test that Murrell-Williamson is looking forward to.

He added: “As long as we have that energy and will to work hard together then we can match any team.

“No matter what their quality is or where they are in the league, we can match anyone if we work hard together.

“First and foremost, that has to be what happens.

“If we work hard and limit an opposition, then we know we have the quality ourselves to get goals.”