Three well taken Romford goals ends Jammers winning run

Maldon and Tiptree FC v Romford FC Isthmian League One North Tuesday 25 February 2020

There were two changes to the Jammers line up from Saturday's win at Grays Athletic with Billy Cracknell and Jake Cass coming in for Hamza Kaid and the suspended Lance Akins.

On a pitch that looked in extremely good condition both teams started with a good attacking intent with the visitors Mekhi McLeod seeing his shot saved before Adam Morgan saw his shot deflected just over. The home side responded with Jake Cass finding a good opening but then shooting over the bar before Jorome Slew showed his potency with a very quick forward dribble before seeing his shot deflected just wide. Maldon and Tiptree took the lead after 19 minutes when Conor Hubble and Slew swopped passes before the former swung in a cross to the far post where Charlee Hughes (pictured) poked the ball home after seeing his first effort rebound off Romford keeper Matthew Cafer. The home side almost increased their lead when Stephane Ngamvoulou's great run took him past a couple of defenders before seeing his shot rebound to Cass who saw his close range goalbound shot just blocked. Keeping up a fast pace the home side continued to create chances but Slew was denied again by Cafer then Cass and Hughes combined to give Hughes half a chance but his shot only found the safe arms of Cafer before Dombaxe shot well wide from just outside the penalty area. Maldon and Tiptree were rocked back on their heels after 37 minutes when the visitors secured an equalising goal when substitute Archie Tamplin-s first action was to swing in a free kick from wide right and the rangy Ejiro Okosieme climbed well above his covering defender to head powerfully into the corner. The home side continued to have the majority of the play but were unable to break through the strong Romford defence and it was the visitors who secured an important second goal. This came after 43 minutes with piece of fine football after their appeared little danger to the home goal as Mekhi McLeod gained possession 30 metres from goal but he moved forward and cracked in a great shot to leave home keeper Ben McNamara well beaten.

Half Time Maldon and Tiptree FC 1 Romford FC 2

For the first 30 minutes of the second half the home side really turned on the pressure to gain at least an equalising goal but a combination of dogged defending and some brave goalkeeping by Chafer kept the Jammers out. Cass was unlucky with his shot that cannoned onto the post before rebounding to Ryan Charles who saw his close range effort blocked on the goal line before Hughes just missed getting a good enough contact on Al-Amin Kazeem's cross to the far post. Chafer then did well to block Kojo Awotwi's strong shot before Hubble's free kick was diverted wide then the ball was hacked off the line after Slew's shot looked to have made the breakthrough. In fact the breakthrough came for the away side after 80 minutes with another well taken goal when substitute Archie Tamplin received the ball from a throw in before playing a quick one two then hitting a fine strike from 25 metres that flew into the corner. Romford almost added a further goal right on time when a long goal kick gave a Romford forward a clear run on goal but McNamara went down bravely at the forwards feet to grab the ball. After this defeat Maldon and Tiptree will be keen to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible whilst Romford, if they can retain these players and keep their current financial backing, will be looking to move rapidly up the table wondering if a play off place is at all possible.

Final score Maldon and Tiptree FC 1 Romford FC 3

Maldon and Tiptree's next game is on Saturday 29 February at home against Coggeshall Town with a 3pm kick off