Jammers Frustrated By Brentwood
Maldon & Tiptree suffered another setback in their quest for the Essex County Women’s Premier Division title as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Brentwood Town Development.
Following a first ever league defeat last time out against Leigh Ramblers, Jody Buckley’s side were looking to bounce back.
It was the hosts who started the better of the two sides. Freya Faulkner was called into action in the opening minute to claim a cross and they broke from a Maldon attack a few moments later to win a corner that came to nothing.
Maldon’s first attack drew a sharp save from Grace Ward to palm away Ellie Jones’ effort with eight minutes played.
The hosts took the lead with just over 20 minutes gone when Isabelle Ludlow pounced on a giveaway to rifle home past Faulkner.
Faulkner was soon called into action again to superbly tip McClenaghan’s fierce drive wide as Brentwood threatened to take the game away from The Jammers.
Amy Yeldham was denied by Ward before Jones smashed the underside of the bar on the stroke of halftime. The ball bounced down on the line and away to leave maldon inches away from heading into the break on level terms.
Into the second half and both sides struggled to take control of the game. However, just before the hour, Evie Payne struck the equaliser.
A long ball over the top saw both Payne and Brody Brownlie bearing down on goal. Brownlie outmuscled the retreating Brentwood defender and with Ward stranded on the edge of her box, Payne was clinical from all of 25 yards.
Barely two minutes later, the turnaround was complete as Brownlie turned goalscorer. Brooke Wright’s ball over the top was pinpoint and Brownlie made no mistake to finish calmly and put Maldon into the lead.
It was nearly three a couple of minutes later, but Brownlie was just off target having burst through the Brentwood defence.
The hosts equalised with twenty minutes to go. A freekick on the edge of the box saw Ludlow smash the crossbar, the ball bounced away where Anastasia Jones headed past a helpless Faulkner.
Brownlie was denied her second of the afternoon by a dubious offside flag from the linesman four minutes later. Running from behind the defender to coolly slot the ball home, the celebrations were cut short by the flag to the incredulity of everyone in a Maldon shirt.
Scarlett Scott saw red for Brentwood late on, but the visitors couldn’t capitalise as Amy Jacobs saw her freekick just about tipped over by Ward.
Maldon will be looking to get back to winning ways as they host Braintree Athletic on Wednesday night at the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium.
