Jammers Defeated At The Abbey
Maldon & Tiptree suffered defeat away from home to Waltham Abbey, in an action packed second half. Kevin Horlock reintroduced birthday- boy Matthew Yates in to the starting line-up from last weeks victory with Rohat Matyar being named on the substitutes bench. The Jammers remained without Tom Eastman who picked up an injury in last week’s warm-up but were able to recall Anthony Wordsworth to the bench.
After two victories already over the Abbots this season, this encounter was always going to provide a test – two sides pushing for promotion as the run-in to the end of the season begins to intensify. The Jammers almost took the lead inside the opening sixty seconds, courtesy of another solo-run from the ever-dangerous, Mikey Faulkner. Mike broke down the left side, leaving his fullback chasing shadows before letting a fly from the edge of the box – only for his effort to cannon off the frame of the goal to deny the Jammers a perfect start.
For much of the first half, the game flowed from one end to another, without either Goalkeeper having to make a save of any note. Just after the half way stage, Freddie Sears looked destined to tap home a delicious cross from Terrell Egbri, only for the faintest of touches from an Abbey defender to deny the Jammers leading goalscorer.
In what was a physical affair, both sides were intent on utilising the lush surface with some attractive football. The home side were looking dangerous on the counter attack, with both Louis Dunne and Dylan Williams collecting yellow cards for interrupting counter attacks. On the stroke of the interval, Waltham Abbey rattled the cross bar with a strike from distance that Elliot Justham could only watch rebound off the frame of his goal.
Half Time: Waltham Abbey 0-0 Maldon & Tiptree
Maldon made a change at the break, with Dylan Williams replaced by Anisius Lewis as the Jammers searched for an opener. However, it was the hosts who started the second half the brightest and were denied the games first goal by a smart, close range save from Justham. However, nine minutes after the restart, Abbey opened the scoring. A cross from the left found its way across goal to Benjamin Baker who made no mistake and tapped home, with virtually his first touch after coming on.
The Jammers responded well and for the next passage of the contest were camped in the Abbotts half, with the home side looking content with their lead but dangerous on the counter- attack. Ten minutes after going behind, Maldon found a well needed equaliser. Who else, but Freddie Sears? A corner from the left was dropped by Bradley Robinson and the ball eventually fell to Sears who toe-poked it home from inside the six- yard box.
Neither side could be accused of resting on their position, as the game continued to flow from end-to-end. The Abbey counter attack eventually paid off, as they punished the Jammers – from a Maldon corner, Abbey broke and eventually ex-Jammer, Kai Brown provided the damaging blow, scoring his first goal of the match to put his side in the lead. Sears almost responded immediately, but Robinson made up for his error for the first goal, by providing a fantastic- diving save to deny Sears.
As Maldon continued to throw bodies forward in search of an equaliser, Kai Brown was at it again. Another counter- attack. Another goal for Brown. Waltham Abbey led by two goals with just minutes remaining on the clock. The Jammers last real chance was a penalty shout as Wordsworth appeared to have been clipped in the box, but the Referee disagreed…
Full Time: Waltham Abbey 3-1 Maldon & Tiptree
A second half which included four goals sadly resulted in a defeat for the Jammers aginst a very good Waltham Abbey side. Felixstowe dropped points at home to Walthamstow, so Kevin Horlock’s men remain at the top of the league, albeit courtesy of goal difference but with a game in hand over their title rivals.
Next up for the Jammers is a trip to Grays Athletic on Saturday 14 March 2026 – without a win on the road since 3 January, the boys will be keen for three points in their quest for the title. The win on 3 January was at the same stadium, as Grays groundshare with Tilbury… perhaps a positive sign, if ever there was one!
Match report written by Richard Buckby, published on Sunday 8 March 2026.
