Millers lack cutting edge as they fall to a late defeat

From the start, Maldon tried to impose themselves with sneaky tackles, kicking out mainly at Daniel Francis and Alex Stavrinou, unfortunately these were not spotted by the officials. And the fouling was summed up as a Maldon & Tiptree coach was barking out orders to his player to "stamp on their toes". But these bully tactics seemed to work as the Millers wasn't getting the cut of the green in the early stages.

The first real chance of the game fell to Marcus Elliott. His shot come cross was dragged behind the waiting Lee Weemes and Daniel Francis, but luckily for Maldon they managed to clear the ball away in the nick of time with the on rushing Danny Hopkins trying to get on the end of the cross.

Maldon & Tiptree's first chance came from a free kick, Jack Stevenson left it for Hunter, who then played in Stevenson whose run was not followed, but Jack's shot was well saved by James Marrable.

Maldon in their next attack broke the deadlock, Nathan Koranteng got in behind Spencer Harrison and Paul Preston, he played a ball along the six yard box, and there was Cliff Akurang to tap the ball in unchallenged to open the scoring. Maldon & Tiptree 1-0 AVELEY FC.

The Millers where then given their first free kick of the game on the 22nd minute mark for a foul on Lee Weemes. Alex Stavrinou floated the ball into the back post area to the unmarked Junior Baker, but his free header went inches over the bar.

Aveley's next attack was what brought the Millers level. Sammy Knott whipped in a great ball from a free kick on the near side, Lee Weemes got across his marker and got a nick on the ball to take it past Moore to equalise. Maldon & Tiptree 1-1 AVELEY FC.

The Millers were on top and in the driving seat, Lee Weemes dribbled past two players and was fouled just inside the penalty area, and the referee had no hesitation to point to the penalty spot. Sammy Knott stepped up to take the penalty, but it was saved by Moore.

Nothing much happened up to the half time whistle. But Billy Holland was booked for 'having a word or two' at the referee and was handed a yellow card for his troubles.

Half Time- Maldon & Tiptree 1-1 AVELEY FC.

The second half was an open encounter, in the first two minutes of the half, there could've been two goals at each end.

Marcus Elliott shot was blocked by Moore, Maldon countered with Cliff Akurang as he was put through one on one with Marrable, but the striker lifted his shot just over the bar.

Maldon won themselves a corner after good defending by Paul Preston, it was taken by Jack Stevenson, but Cliff Akurang again somehow managed to miss a free header. His height and power caused Aveley problems throughout the whole game.

Daniel Francis then came off for Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe. And J O-U was straight into the action, he played in Sammy Knott whose shot was deflected over the bar for a corner. The corner was taken quickly and short, and was easily cleared.

Throughout the whole game Spencer Harrison and Cliff Akurang had a great tussle and battle between them. However they were both in the book as time went over the 70 minute mark for a tussle that the referee believed had got out of hand.

Captain Billy Holland was then taken off for Teddy Nesbitt.

The last twenty minutes only two real chances were created by the Millers, Alex Stavrinou's pile driver was well saved by Moore. Then Sammy Knott was free in the box after being put through, but his shot went just over the bar for the second time in the game.

Marcus Elliott then went off and on came Jamie Hursit, who scored the equaliser away to Wivenhoe in Tuesday night.

But Maldon & Tiptree snatched all three points with six minutes from time after a long ball from Jack Stevenson landed to the feet of Akurang who scuffed his right footed shot, and the ball bobbled into the bottom corner to give his side all three points to lift them to 22nd in the Ryman North.

Full Time- Maldon & Tiptree 2-1 AVELEY FC.