Stanway Share The Spoils
First Team manager, Kevin Horlock made one-change from Saturday’s comeback draw at Downham Town. Tom Eastman was restored to the starting eleven, in place of Matt Yates with Cameron James moving across the back-line to right back. Stanway Rovers came into the match possessing one of the best away records in the division and fresh from a one-nil victory over the Jammers just a few weeks ago.
Early in the contest, Maldon were almost gifted the perfect opportunity. Stanway’s Goalkeeper and Captain was cautioned for picking up a throw-in, with the Jammers awarded an in-direct free kick on the edge of penalty area. The set piece was teed up to Freddie Sears, but his effort was blocked by the on-rushing wall.
In truth, throughout the first half the Jammers were not at the best and had Goalkeeper, Elliot Justham to thank on more than one occasion for keeping the scores level. Elliot made a string of fantastic saves, including one from ridiculously close range. Maldon created a handful of half chances, without ever really testing Robinson.
Mike Faulkner thought he may have won a penalty for the home side five minutes before the half-time interval, only to be booked for simulation. Inside the only minute of stoppage time applied, the Jammers had their best chance of opening the scoring in the form of a penalty kick after Terrell Egbri was clattered into by Reece Harris. Freddie Sears stepped up, but his penalty was well saved by Robinson diving to his right hand side.
Half time arrived with the game level, 0-0.
After not quite being at the races throughout the first half, the Jammers started the second half brightly, albeit Anthony Wordsworth collected a yellow card early on for denying a Stanway counter-attack. Maldon started to generate set-piece after set-piece, without forcing a save of real note from Robinson – the game was starting to form a similar pattern to that at Stanway a few weeks ago.
In search of the games opening goal, Horlock began to ring the changes. Anisius Lewis and Louis Dunne were introduced, replacing Egbri and Wordsworth. The changes almost worked, only for Sears to rattle the frame of the goal from distance in the 71st minute. Anisius went close moments later, but his fierce effort went narrowly wide.
As the game was drifting towards the final whistle, it sprung to life. The dangerous- Rovers counter-attack finally reaped the rewards it may have deserved. A Jammers slip on the half way line allowed Jamie Bennett to run clear, he held off the tackle of Louie Arrowsmith before placing his effort beyond Justham. In reaction to the goal, Bilal Sayoud replaced Tom Eastman – the Jammers had to go all-out to maintain their unbeaten home record in the league.
The Stanway backline, led by ex-Jammer Zack Littlejohn remained resolute against a relentless Jammers attack desperate for a goal. And in the 94th minute, the Jammers broke through…
As simple as it may have appeared, it was a goal that could prove so valuable in the weeks to come. Sayoud picked up the ball on the right wing, after one touch delivered a pin-point cross in to the six-yard box. Anisius was in the right place, at the right time and headed home beyond Robinson. With three minutes remaining… could the Jammers find a dramatic winner?
Maldon came close. Following a string-of corners, Maldon almost nicked all three points as effort from the right hand flashed across goal, it somehow evaded everyone and everything, going narrowly wide of the far post…
Full time, 1-1.
In truth, a point for both sides was a fair reflection of the game with the Jammers maintaining their unbeaten home record. Next-up for the Jammers is another home game, as Brightlingsea Regent visit the DBS on Saturday 28th February – another tough contest awaits Horlock’s side. General admission and VIP hospitality tickets are available to buy online now, it’s set to be another big afternoon in CM9.
Match report written by Richard Buckby, published on Wednesday 25 February 2026.
