Sears On The Spot In Suffolk
Written by Richard Buckby, published on 8 October 2025
Freddie Sears ensured Maldon & Tiptree remained top of the table with a penalty in the early stages of the second half away from home in Suffolk. Boss, Kevin Horlock made a couple of changes from Saturday’s win Brantham Athletic – Louie Dunne and Dylan Williams returned to the starting eleven, with Anthony Wordsworth and Mo Amir returning to the substitutes bench.
Kicking down hill, it was the Jammers who had the majority of the first half without really testing the Keeper. The hosts were looking dangerous on the counter attack, but the Maldon defence was standing strong led by Elliot Justham.
With ten minutes to go before the break, Maldon started to turn the screw. Courtney Senior had a chance at the back post but couldn’t hit the target before the dangerous Freddie Sears forced a stunning save from the home goalkeeper. Matt Yates was the next to go close, but his effort was denied before Zak Littlejohn hit the bar with a looping header.
Louie Dunne thought he had won his side a penalty on the verge of half-time, but the man with the whistle waved played on, only for Mildenhall to run up the other end and be awarded an extremely soft penalty. Have no fear, as Elliot Justham dived to his left to save the spot-kick and send the game to half-time with the scores level.
Mildenhall had the slope in their favour for the second half and looked to make it count with a positive start. However, an exchange of set pieces failed to provide the opening goal with the Jammers getting to grips with travelling up hill. In the 57th minute, Maldon were awarded a spot kick of their own for handball.
Freddie Sears stepped up and done what Freddie Sears does. He placed his spot kick straight down the middle to put the league leaders ahead.
Cameron James continued to be a threat on the attacker for the Jammers, with a goal scoring opportunity feeling close whenever he had the ball at his feet. As Maldon began to manage the game, Kevin introduced fresh faces from the bench with Louie Arrowsmith returning from injury, Mo Amir, Anthony Wordsworth and Anisius Lewis all making an appearance.
In truth, the game was a cagey affair from the penalty onwards with neither side testing the penalty areas. The hosts huffed and puffed in search for an equaliser, but failed to land a glove on the Jammers.
Another clean sheet ensures Maldon stay top of the league, with their attention returning back to the Emirates FA Cup,
