Jammers Clear The Gray Skies
Maldon & Tiptree returned to winning ways on the road, with a comprehensive victory away to league strugglers Grays Athletic – the Jammers first victory on the road since early January. Boss, Kevin Horlock reintroduced Tom Eastman to the starting XI on his return from injury, whilst the returning Ross Wall was given a second debut from the start.
On what was an extremely difficult surface to play any kind of football, the Jammers started the dominant of the two teams and generated a number of early set pieces without taking real advantage. Wall was proving to be a dangerous focal point of the Maldon attack, linking well with Freddie Sears and Mike Faulkner. Faulkner went closets, twice in the opening fifteen minutes with both his efforts narrowly missing the target.
Searsy Again
In the 25th minute, the Jammers opened the scoring courtesy of a well worked set piece. A free kick from the right found Eastman at the far post, his header across goal found Wall who’s cute flicked was well saved by the Tilbury Goalkeeper, George Marsh. Unfortunately for Marsh, his parried save fell to the feet of Freddie Sears who made no mistake and smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
After the opening goal, the match turned scrappy with neither side generating a chance of real note. On the stroke of the break, the Jammers should’ve extended their lead via a smart- counter attack. However, Terrell Egbri couldn’t find the unmarked Freddie Sears and Marsh collected the loose ball.
Half Time: Grays Athletic 0-1 Maldon & Tiptree
At the break, the Jammers had to make an enforced change with Louie Arrowsmith unable to continue and his was replaced by Matt Yates. Soon after the start of the second half, a second enforced change was required- Jack Cawley was replaced by Rohat Matyar.
Wall’s First Jammers Goal Since 2012
Goalkeeper, Elliot Justham had an eerily quiet afternoon until the 65th minute when he was called upon to tip a cross over the bar, that appeared to be drifting in. Two minutes later, Maldon extended their lead through the head of the returning, Ross Wall. Another set piece proved profitable for the Jammers, a dangerous corner from Anthony Wordsworth found Wall at the front post, who’s unstoppable header hit the back of the net.
After scoring their second goal, the Jammers entered cruise control and were potentially guilty of not taking their chance. Tevan Allen wss presented with a good chance after smart play from Wall before firing word before Wordsworth sent an effort over the cross bar. Then followed a spell of yellow cards for the Jammers, Wordsworth, Eastman and Egbri were all cautioned within the space of four minutes for innocuous incidents.
With the game drifting towards the final whistle, Grays were looking to generate a nervy finish. However, Justham stood in their way and made an outrageous diving save from ridiculously close range- a fantastic response from the abuse he was subjected to from the home supporters.
In the last few minutes, Faulkner thought he had sealed the game with the third goal, but he adjudged to be offside by the Assistant Referee.
Full Time: Grays Athletic 0-2 Maldon & Tiptree
A positive result on the road for the Jammers, who face another long away day on Tuesday with a trip to Wroxham on the schedule, in what is a busy month- of March on the road.
