Maldon and Tiptree FC v Witham Town FC Monday 26 August 2019

Jammers boss Wayne Brown made just one change from Saturday's line up with Jerome Slew making way for Al-Amin Kazeem, who slotted in at full back, which allowed Stephane Ngamvoulou to return to his more usual midfield role.

The Jammers made the more forceful start with some fine attacking passing football and Witham's goal was soon threatened by Charlee Hughes getting to a long ball to force a save from visiting keeper George Marsh before Tariq Issa and Stephane Ngamvoulou combined down the right before getting a dangerous cross over that Marsh did well to hold. The home side then came close to opening the scoring when Laste Dombaxe chipped up a free kick just outside the visitors penalty box and Hughes took the ball well before turning to get his shot away but his effort crashed against the cross bar before rebounding out. Maldon and Tiptree however were not to be denied and on 17 minutes the first goal duly arrived when a short corner routine ended with an excellent deep cross by Issa and William Cracknell, at the far post, headed in a strong effort. The home sides Tyrique Hyde then put in a strong run from inside his own half before the ball broke for Hughes but he shot wide. The home defence and midfield were giving their opponents little possession and it was no surprise when goal number two came on 25 minutes when an Issa corner from the right fell almost onto the goal line and Hughes was first to the loose ball to force it over the line. The eager Jammers forwards were being given far too much time and space and they continually cut through the visitors defence with a fine run from Kojo Awotwi putting Danny Parish away but his fierce low shot flew just wide of the far post but what looked an almost inevitable third goal came on 31 minutes when a quick free kick was played into issa and he again turned provider with an excellent ball into the on rushing Kazeem who moved forward before finding the far corner with a fierce cross shot. Just 5 minutes later the game was virtually put to bed with a fourth goal for Maldon and Tiptree when a fine defence splitting pass found Hughes and he went through to go round Marsh before firing into an open net. The home sides Hyde and Ngamvoulou combined to carve out another opening for Parish but he was foiled by a last ditch tackle before Hughes received a long ball well before turning to fire in a shot that Marsh saved.

Half Time Maldon and Tiptree FC 4 Witham Town FC 0

Considering the over powereing heat the second half was always likely to prove a bit of an anti climax and with Witham making a better fist of things play was rather more even with the visitors Marcus Bowers striking a fine 25 metre free kick just wide before the Jammers again threatened with great work from Issa getting along the visitors penalty area before releasing Parish but his strong shot was just pushed away by Marsh. Parish then missed a good scoring chance when he put Hyde's centre wide at the far post before on 63 minutes some slack play from the home defence was severely punished when a long throw was allowed to travel across the goal mouth to the far post where substitute Shamido Pedulu was on hand to hook the ball just inside the post. Shortly after this a great move by the home side saw Kazeem releasing substitute Joseph Wicks up the left who then moved forward before putting a fine ball right on Parish's head but unfortunately he put his flying header inches wide. As the second half reached its midpoint the heat or the scoreline appeared to be taking some urgency from the play with the home side content to retain possession and prevent the visitors any sight of goal with mainly the Jammers substitutes keen to make their mark in the game. It was the later Jammers substitute, Jake Wiffen who was involved in the fifth goal after 83 minutes when from the edge of the visitors penalty area he lofted over a good ball to release Hyde who moved in on goal before striking a firm effort into the roof of the net. Other substitute Jorome Slew then volleyed wide after some great play from Awotwi and Hyde had opened up the visitors defence before Hughes and Slew cut through the Witham defence to leave Wiffen a close range chance but his effort was just blocked before Wiffen was again involved when he put Kazeem through on goal but he saw his 10 metre shot cannon against the bar before rebounding clear. Marsh was called into action again right at the end to block Slew's shot after Hyde had opened up the Witham defence and again he had to be quick to smother Slew's close range effort from the rebound.

Final score Maldon and Tiptree FC 5 Witham Town FC 1