Freya Writes Her Name Into Jammers Faulk-lore
Maldon & Tiptree took control of the Essex County Women’s Premier Division title race as they overcame Leigh Ramblers 2-0 on Sunday.
First half goals from Stef Paci and Amy Yeldham ended Ramblers’ 462-day unbeaten run in the league, but The Jammers were indebted to young goalkeeper Freya Faulkner for some key saves including a penalty stop late in the first half.
In what was their last game of the season, Leigh knew a win would hand them the title.
But in front of a 310-strong crowd at the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium, it was the hosts who dominated the early exchanges.
Maldon nearly opened the scoring inside three minutes, but Libby Keeler poked Rianna Everett’s cross onto the bar.
Leigh’s first look on goal was a snap shot from Rebecca Dalgarno with twelve minutes gone, but Faulkner held on well.
Maldon took an eighteenth minute lead when Stef Paci headed home Erin Cheyne’s corner.
It might’ve been two just a couple of minutes later when Elissa Stonebrook’s long ball forward was brilliantly chased down by Yeldham, but she was denied by the onrushing Sophie Smith.
With ten minutes of the first half remaining, Yeldham did make it 2-0. Latching onto Brooke Wright’s pass, she left Alanna Lagden in her wake as she drove into the box before brushing off the challenge of Isabel Beckwith and firing low and hard past Smith into the far corner.
The Jammers had daylight, but five minutes before half-time, that cushion looked in peril.
Leigh were awarded a penalty when the ball struck Abby Caldon on the arm. Dalgarno stepped up looking to add to her 33 goals this season, but Faulkner saved brilliantly with her trailing leg to ensure Maldon went into the break two goals to the good,
The second half was a far more even affair. Paci volleyed over with ten minutes gone as the hosts looked to add to their lead.
With an hour gone, Maddison Butler found herself in on goal, but her shot was tame and Faulkner gathered. Her quick thinking allowed Maldon to counter, only for Jazz Cox to be denied by Smith.
Cox back heeled the loose ball to Paci on the edge of the area, but Smith had recovered her position to hold on to the attempt.
Leigh had found their groove and were looking more of a threat. Faulkner was called on again to produce a fantastic diving save away to her right to push Sophie Rhodes’ shot away.
Morgan Hayes headed wide from the resulting corner and Butler did the same minutes later as Ramblers continued to threaten.
Cristina Fragnito was next to be denied by Faulkner as she held on well to a shot across the face of goal.
With Maldon looking to add the cherry to the cake, Ellie Jones poked just wide under from the advancing Smith before Hayes blasted the final chance of the afternoon high over the bar for Leigh.
The final whistle signalled an outpouring of relief and joy from the Maldon players and fans as they took a huge step towards the title in their debut season.
Next up is a trip to bottom side Toby Reserves. A win will guarantee the title.
We’re gonna need a bigger open top bus……
