Paul Abrahams made 2 changes from last Friday’s game against Hullbridge Sports with Oluwatimilehin and Napa dropping to the bench with Coombes and Clark replacing them. Maldon came into this match feeling hopeful after beating The Seasiders 3-0 in the reverse fixture. However, The Jammers would have to secure all 6 points from their last 2 games to be in with a chance of a playoff spot.

Felixstowe won the toss and decided to take the first half kick-off. In the early stages of the match, Maldon played well, getting multiple shots towards goal, with a shot from Aaron Williams-Bushell being blocked before it could reach the goal. In the 2nd minute, Tommy Dixon-Hodge claimed a dangerous cross heading towards players at the back post. 5 minutes into the game, Bryan Ifeanyi dribbled into the box, passed it to Sam Coombes who’s shot was sent behind for a corner by the Seasiders defence. However, The Jammers could not convert the opportunity. Soon after, Maldon won a free kick in the attacking half. It was placed into the box for Coombes to head, however it was blocked and sent for another Maldon corner. Just before 10 minutes, Joe Whight had a shot for Felixstowe which was blocked well by Williams-Bushell.

Soon after, a mix-up between the away goalkeeper Robinson and his defence nearly lead to Ifeanyi going through on goal. At the 15 minute mark, Felixstowe gain a free kick in a dangerous position, Dixon-Hodge successfully makes a save, preventing the goal. Seconds later, Rob Clark was booked for a strong challenge from behind on the half way line. In the 17th minute – disaster for The Jammers – Billy Holland heads the ball home to give The Seasiders a crucial lead. In the 18th minute, after a promising attack, Ifeanyi put shot wide of the post. At the 25 minute mark, Whight slotted the ball into Tommy’s bottom left corner to make it 0-2. Ottley-Gooch appears injured so the visitors are forced to sub him off for Joshua Hitter. After a Maldon free kick, Barnwell was called tightly offside, leading to complaints by the Maldon fans. Soon after, Whight made a bad challenge and was issued with a yellow card. From this, Maldon had an opportunity to score, with Clark taking a free kick but he could only hit it into the wall.

HALF TIME: Maldon & Tiptree 0 – 2 Felixstowe & Walton United

Maldon kicked off the second half and quickly earn a free kick in a wide, attacking position but the cross wasn’t good enough and it went behind for a goal kick. The Jammers tried to slowly build up, leading to a cross being sent into the box and before being headed away for a corner that came to nothing. In the 52nd minute, Zak Brown striker the ball towards the goal, however, Dixon-Hodge was there to make an outstanding save to keep The Jammers in the game. In the 53nd minute, The Seasiders striker, Brown made way for Canfer who, 5 minutes later, took a chance and slotted the ball past Dixon-Hodge to make the score 0-3.

Maldon were not without their chances though, in the 58th minute a good cross in to the box was blocked and another chance soon after was dealt with by the Felixstowe defence. Williams-Bushell sent another shot narrowly wide of the goal. The Seasiders counter and Hitter has a good shot which is saved.

In the 66th minute, their goal keeper comes out nearly to the side-line to defend a longball sent over by the Maldon defence. At this point, the game seemed to be being controlled by the visitors as Whight scored his second of the match and then Twinn scored a superb free kick to make it 0-5 to The Seasiders.

In the 88th minute, Barnwell skilfully dribbled past multiple defenders and passed the ball to Ifeanyi who scored to reduce the deficit down to 4 goals. However, it was too late for The Jammers and the Referee blew the full time whistle soon after taking away any hope of promotion for Maldon and ensuring The Seasiders with a place in the Play-Offs.