With news of the completion of the takeover of the club by the Drewitt- Barlow Organisation
earlier in the week, the levels of excitement were like nothing seen for a long time at the Home
of Football.

Pre and post match entertainment, a new food menu and the return of the club’s much loved
volunteers (and the stadium announcer) brightened up a drizzly day for the 477-strong crowd.
In the dugout, there was a returning familiar face as Kevin Horlock returned to the Jammers.

On the pitch, the good vibes continued when Maldon took the lead on six minutes. Good work
from Kai Redgrave saw him drive in the box and square the ball for Kai Brown who tapped
home at the back post. The goal seemed to galvanise the visitors. Matthew Young found himself on the end of two
opportunities, but dragged both efforts wide.

Young was causing all sorts of bother for Maldon. After a sharp passage of play, he took aim
from the edge of the box, but the ball was helped onto the bar by Jammer’s goalkeeper Dominic
Alexandru.

The respite was brief. From the resulting corner, the referee awarded Haringey a spot kick for
what looked like a harsh handball call on Mo Amir.

Young stepped up and home under the dive of Alexandru to level the match with 34 minutes
gone. Barely two minutes later, Brown and the home side had appeals for a penalty of their own
waved away to compound frustrations.

On the stroke of halftime, the visitors took the lead. A cross into the Jammers’ box ricocheted
this way and that before eventually crossing the line after cannoning in off an unfortunate
Maldon player.

In truth, the second half was something of a non event as neither side ever really got going.
Louis Arrowsmith, so often a bright spot this season, saw his effort deflected wide for a corner
after one of his trademark surging runs from left back. At the other end, Alexandru was off his line smartly to spread himself and deny Derek Asamoah.

Another good stop to tip over a freekick kept Maldon in with a shout heading into the final
minutes. Substitute Kaan Benet might’ve equalised at the death, but he couldn’t steer the ball on goal
from close range. The disbelief among the Maldon faithful was quelled by the sight of the
assistant’s flag for offside.

With that, the referee called time on proceedings. A disappointing day on the pitch. But in the
bar after the game, you could be forgiven for thinking we’d won the league, such was the feel
good factor at the prospect of a brighter future.

Next up is a trip to a few familiar faces as we take on Cambridge City. I’ve been told the food
there comes highly recommended…….