Jammers defeated by nearest rivals

Brightlingsea Regent FC v Maldon and Tiptree FC Ryman League One North Saturday 4 February 2017

Jammers boss Kevin Horlock made just one change from last weeks starting line up with new loan signing Femi Akinwande coming in for Eoin McKeown.

With so much resting on the game and a pretty cut up pitch it was clear that there was not going to be much close passing football played by either team with both sides tending to play the ball long with the result there was little goal match action. Regent's ploy of using long throws in's and corner kicks to get the ball into the goal area certainly proved effective although visiting keeper Daniel Wilks (pictured) coped pretty well with these. It was the visitors who got in one of very few attempts on goal when an inswinging corner from Liam Nash almost caused a home defender to head into his own net but the ball flew just wide of the far post then the home sides Harry McDonald did well down the line before getting a dangerous ball over that was just cleared. Towards the end of a half that defences dominated the Jammers Tarryn Allarakhia and Curtis Haynes- Brown combined down the left before getting getting a cross over that Femi Akinwande headed wide then almost on the whistle Regent's Tom Richardson headed Aaron Condon's corner wide.

Half time Brightlingsea Regent 0 Maldon and Tiptree 0

The second half opened in spectacular fashion when, just 4 minutes in, the home side created a really good chance to open the scoring when the ball was moved across goal from the right and McDonald was left with what looked a certain goal when only metres out but Wilks somehow managed to throw himself at the forwards shot and get the ball round the post. As the game opened up a little Regent's Condon then went close with a low 15 metre drive that flew wide of the far post after another long throw in had been cleared out to him then Brightlingsea keeper Sam Cowler came to his sides rescue with a fine diving save to Jammers substitute, Rhys Henry's, low shot which was heading just inside the post. The visitors came even closer midway through the half when a great run down the right by Kyle Hammond ended with a cross into Akinwande that he controlled and then turned before shooting but as the ball seemed to be heading into the corner it rolled just wide of the far post with Cowler beaten. On 74 minutes Regents long throw in routine certainly paid off when from the right touch line the ball was tossed to the near post where Richardson rose well to glance the ball into the net although the visitors will be disappointed that two defenders were fairly easily beaten to the ball. In the short time left, despite use of their substitutes, the Jammers could make little impression on a very strong home rearguard and the nearest they came was a 20 metre volley from substitute Adam Mills that Cowler saved at his near post.

Final Score Brightlingsea Regent FC 1 Maldon and Tiptree FC 0

Brightlingsea Regent FC

Sam Cowler, Ricky Griggs, Pip Boyland, Connor Witherspoon, Josh Gould, Matt Cripps, Harry McDonald (Shamido Pedulu 67), Jake Turner, Tom Richardson (David Olubunmi 90), Robbie Rees, Aaron Condon (George Doyle 84)

Unused substitutes

Phil Kelly, Alex Taylor

Maldon and Tiptree FC

Daniel Wilks, Kyle Hammond, Curtis Haynes-Brown (Joe Claridge 60), Matt Lock, Billy Roast, Gavin Greenfield, Tyler Brampton, Montel Agyermang (Adam Mills 75), Femi Akinwande, Liam Nash, Tarryn Allarakhia (Rhys Henry 61)

Unused Substitutes

Jerry Kamanzi, Eoin McKeown