Maldon & Tiptree suffered another damaging defeat in their quest for the playoffs as they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat against Bowers & Pitsea on Saturday afternoon. Going into the weekend's game, the Jammers had lost their previous 3 in the league.

The visitors had the first chance of the afternoon when Solomon Addy got free on the Maldon left. Cutting in on his left foot, he got a shot away that forced Luca Collins into a smart save low down his left.

With 16 minutes gone, Maldon were awarded a freekick that was just about cleared by Bowers who then managed to counter, but more good keeping by Collins kept the scores level.

The Jamers should’ve taken the lead with 25 minutes on the clock. A ball from Matt Yates down the right found Hakeem Sandah who whipped a cross into the back post where George Smith was unmarked. You’d have put your life on Smith adding to his goal tally for the season, but he scuffed the shot wide and Bowers had been given a huge let off.

Bowers took the lead deep into 1st half stoppage time as Maldon only half cleared a corner to the edge of the box where Addy was waiting to rifle home.

Louis Britton nearly equalised for the Jammers in the 52nd minute as he got his head to a brilliant Alfie Mason cross, only to be denied by goal line from Luke Reeve. Smith was denied by some alert goalkeeping from David Hughes who was on hand to clear following a smart flick-on from Britton.

Benas Vaivada had a glorious chance to double Bowers’ lead in the 67th minute, but he somehow hit the bar from all of 4 yards for one of the misses of the season. A minute later, Matt Price thought he’d scored as he headed home a freekick, but was denied by the offside flag.

Only some sensational goalkeeping from Collins prevented an own goal when he pushed the ball away for a corner.

The visitors were awarded a penalty in the 77th minute when Lewis Jaggs felled Price in the box. Despite a long delay as Price was treated for an injury, Addy made no mistake from 12 yards to put Bowers 2 goals to the good. Thomas Stagg put Bowers out of sight in stoppage time, latching onto a loose backpass to slot home.

The Jammers’ misery was compounded with the last kick of the game when Smith was denied from the spot by Hughes.

Next up for Maldon is a trip to Stowmarket Town on Tuesday night.