It was more of a House of Pain rather than a House of Love for Maldon & Tiptree on Saturday, as they were sunk by an early goal in a game they deserved more from against Walthamstow FC.

There was a starting debut for new Jammers signing Jayden Gipson, partnering Frankie Edwards at centre back, with fellow new man, the Portuguese born ex Angolan international, Rudy Wilson on the bench as the Jammers looked to build on a positive showing in the League Cup at Bowers & Pitsea on Tuesday night.

It was an even opening 15 minutes, in which both sides created a couple of half chances, with Maldon winning an early freekick and corner that were dealt with by the hosts, who in turn had a corner of their own cleared away before the referee gave a freekick for a foul on a Maldon defender.

With 15 minutes on the clock, the Jammers fell behind. The goal came from a poor giveaway on the edge of the box and the ball was played across to the right hand side to Damaray Anyadike who found himself with only Tom Middlehurst to beat. His initial shot drew a great save from the Maldon goalkeeper off his chest, but the luck was on Anyadike's side as the ball cannoned back off his knee and rolled over the line.
Maldon settled and 4 minutes after the restart, a great pull back from Alex Clark found Shane Temple on the edge of the box, but his low drive was saved by the feet of goalkeeper, Matthew Nolan.

The hosts might have doubled their lead shortly after that, when George Ironton found himself unmarked in the box and latched onto an Anyadike freekick, but his header was well saved by Tom.

Back at the right end, Temple had a great chance to level the score, but couldn't pull the trigger in time. The ball was scrambled away by the Walthamstow defence for a corner which was cleared.

Just after the half hour mark, it should have been 1-1. A smart bit of play from Chris Gregan to play a freekick short caught the home side unaware. Clark in turn, played a great ball into Temple, but his shot clipped the outside of the post and ran away for a goal kick.

The end of the first half was end-to-end. Anyadike was denied a 2nd of the afternoon in stunning fashion by a Middlehurst double save- first with his legs and then making himself big (which I guess is easier when you're already 6 foot 9) to save with his chest.
A minute later, Tom was at it again, this time denying Walthamstow with a full stretch save, diving away to his left.

The last chance of the half fell Maldon's way, as the post came to Walthamstow's rescue again as the Jammers forced a corner. New man Jayden got his head to it but he too, was denied by the post. Maldon will certainly be hoping this bad luck doesn't Stay Another Day......

The Jammers started the 2nd half well and won an early freekick high in the Walthamstow half. Andre's initial attempt hit the first man, but the ball was recovered and Gipson won another freekick: this time right on the edge of the Walthamstow penalty box. Clark took, but put his effort just over the bar.

Maldon continued to try and find a way back into proceedings, but couldn't quite cut through- a long range effort from Lewis Jaggs which was straight at Nolan and a wicked cross from Egbri across the face of goal that wasn't gambled on before another long range effort- this time from Callum Stringer which forced Nolan into smart save to tip the ball away all coming within the space of 5 minutes on the hour.

With about 18 minutes left, the chance we'd been waiting for came and sadly went. Some great play between Andre and Callum set the returning George Smith through with only Nolan to beat. Given the form Smudge has been in this season prior to his injury, you'd have put your house on him to score, but unfortunately, he snatched at the shot and put it into the trees.

With time running out, it was the hosts who nearly made the game safe, Anyadike crossing in to the back post, where he found Duncan Culley, but he fluffed his effort with the goal seemingly at his mercy as the ball spun out for a goal kick.

On 85 minutes, Culley nearly capitalised on a mix up between Tom and Frankie. A poor backpass put Tom under pressure, who miskicked. Culley stepped in to take the loose ball, Tom tried to tackle him while on the ground, but the ball was just out of reach. With the goal gaping and a second goal seemingly inevitable, Culley put his shot wide of the target. If you're old enough to remeber those Own Goals And Gaffs videos Danny Baker used to do, that's the sort of miss we're talking about.

Into stoppage time at the end of the game and from the ridiculous to the absolutely sublime. Terrell and Rudy-on as second half subs- linked up well with the latter playing the ball infield to Terrell who let fly from all of 25 yards. The ball was destined for the top corner but for a world class save from Nolan, tipping the ball over the bar to deny Maldon a share of the spoils.

It wasn't to be for the Jammers, who, on another day should've have taken at least point. With no game next week, there's a 2 week break before we're back in League action against Brightlingsea Regent on September 30th.