JAMMERS’ CUP RUN IS PROPER!
Written by Lee Witney | Photos by OMZ MEDIA
Maldon & Tiptree are into the First Round Proper of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time in five years following a dramatic 1-0 over Flackwell Heath on Saturday.
With our opponents also at Step 4, there was a feeling from both sides that the draw had been kind to them.
Maldon started fast, but it was Flackwell who had the ball in the net early on. Matthew Ayers’ cross was cleared by Jack Cawley, but Maldon couldn’t clear their lines. The loose ball fell to Heath skipper Lewis Pegg who slammed home past Elliot Justham. The Flackwell celebrations were eventually halted by the assistant referee’s flag for offside.
Roraigh Browne produced a fine save after 25 minutes, diving away to his right to push away Terrell Egbri’s fizzing long range drive. Freddie Sears was on hand for the rebound, but saw his effort come back off the post.
Kevin Horlock’s side took the lead with ten minutes of the first half to play. Courtney Senior drove forward and crossed in for Sears. The former West Ham man ghosted into space to meet Senior’s cross and home and send a packed Drewitt-Barlow stadium delirious.
That spurred Maldon on and they set about finding a second goal. Cameron James saw his half volley deflected wide and Matt Yates had a near post effort turned away by Browne.
Two minutes before half time, the tie changed. And the Jammers were all of a sudden facing a very uphill battle.
Zack Littlejohn was sent off for a rash challenge that led to a Flackwell penalty. Jack Shakespeare stepped up but was denied by a fabulous Justham save diving away low to his left.
It was the second time in 2 games Justham had saved a spot kick following his stop on Tuesday night at Mildenhall.
Heath started the second half looking to make their man advantage count. Charlie Bacon’s long-range shot sailed well wide and Matthew Ayers’ cross flashed across the box as they turned up the pressure.
Chances for the Jammers would be at a premium, but they looked dangerous on the counter. Senior hassled Ryan Avery into conceding possession and tried to round Browne who did well to force him wide. The Maldon flier clipped a cross into the back post for Sears that was just about headed away.
Flackwell were finding it increasingly difficult to break down a rock-solid Maldon defense. Harlem Hale wasted their best chance of the second half when he sliced wide from point blank range as the game eked towards 90 minutes.
There was still time for Heath to go close in stoppage time, but a combination of world class goalkeeping and committed defending saw Maldon through to Monday night’s draw.
Keep your eyes peeled for ball number 64!
It’s back to league action on Tuesday night as we welcome Cambridge City to the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium.
