Takeley Leave It Lake To Take A Point
Maldon & Tiptree were denied all three points for the first time at home since 24 February, courtesy of a goal in the 98th minute from Takeley’s Zak Drake. The Jammers were treated to a special guest, as Mick McCarthy was in attendance to cheer on his friend, Kevin Horlock.
In what would set the tone for the entire ninety minutes, the Jammers dominated possession and after three minutes created the first chance of the afternoon however Ross Wall guided his header wide. However, after that chances were few and far between with neither side testing the Goalkeepers.
It was until the 23rd minute until the Jammers went close again, a goal mouth scramble was eventually cleared by the Takeley defence – with the Jammers left wondering how they’d not broken the deadlock. Maldon went close again, however the Takeley Goalkeeper made a smart diving safe to his left to deny Mikey Faulkner.
As half-time approached, Elliot Justham made his first and only save of the first half and a smart save it was. Minutes later, a reckless challenge on Dylan Williams resulted in a freekick for the Jammers, about 30 yards out from goal. Williams took it short to Terrell Egbri, Egbri took one touch and drove forward smartly, before drilling the ball into the bottom corner to give the Jammers the lead on the stroke of the break.
Half Time: Jammers 1-0 Takeley
The Jammers almost doubled their lead three minutes into the second half, following a smart interchange between Ross Wall and Freddie Sears. Wall’s back heel released Sears in behind, his left footed effort beat the onrushing Goalkeeper, however went narrowly wide of the post.
In truth, the second half struggled to get going and the Maldon were struggling to breakdown a resolute Takeley defence. Boss, Kevin Horlock looked to spark life into the contest with a triple change just after the hour mark- Malachi Napa, Louis Dunne and Anthony Wordsworth were all introduced to the action. The changes almost worked, as the Jammers went close to capitalising from a set piece- Ross Wall’s header found Malachi Napa inside the six yard box but he put his effort over the bar when it perhaps looked easier to score.
As the nerves began to build around the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium, Takeley began to found an attacking edge that they hadn’t had for the first eighty-five minutes. Elliot Justham was on-hand to make a collection of saves in quick succession from a string of Takeley set pieces to keep the Jammers in the lead.
With the seven minutes of stoppage time played, the Jammers were waiting for the final whistle. However, a straight ball from the Takeley defence caught the Maldon defence cold. Zak Drake snuck in behind Jack Cawley and Tom Eastman, before beating Justham to the ball – Drake executed a smart, lobbed finish over the helpless Justham to snatch a point for the visitors…
Full Time: Jammers 1-1 Takeley
Next up for the Jammers is a trip down the hill on Monday 6 April 2026, but before the game kicks off, get yourself along to the Jammers Sports Bar that is open from 12pm with half price beer and a Chinese buffet for £7.50 – not to mention the free travel which is available on a first come, first serve basis.
Match report written by Richard Buckby, published on Sunday 5 April.
