MALDON and Tiptree manager Kevin Horlock was pleased to take the points despite his team not being at their best in the second half of their Ryman League division north clash with Soham Town Rangers.

The Jammers were by far the superior team before the break and even though they led 1-0 at half-time thanks to Adam Mills' goal in the 45th minute, they should really have been further ahead after some impressive play.

And when Soham lost Robbie Mason to a red card in the 50th minute, it looked as though Maldon would coast home, however, they struggled to hit the same form as they'd found in the first period.

While Soham were thankful to keeper Clarke Bogard for some good saves, the hosts had their own keeper - Daniel Wilks - for some smart stops in the latter stages.

But Horlock was still thankful to take all three points as his team extended their winning run to three games.

He said: "I'm happy with the result of course because you go into every game looking for the three points.

“In terms of performance, I was really happy with the first half as I thought we looked good and created loads of chances.

“The problem with that is when you are on top like that, you need to get your nose in front more.

“It could have been two, three or four nil and for some reason, we went out in the second half and made it hard for ourselves.

“Their lad got sent off and you thought if we stayed composed then we could run the legs off them, but it didn’t happen.

“We made it very hard for ourselves and I said to the lads that we need to improve.

“We were a very young side in this game as we were missing four experienced players, but we need to learn from it.

“The good thing is that we didn’t play particularly well and still got the win with a clean sheet."

Elsewhere, there was a first league victory of the season for WITHAM TOWN as they came from behind at half-time to win 3-1 at Waltham Abbey.

Witham trailed at the break, but levelled with a goal from Ryan Charles in the 60th minute, before Tim Monsheju put them ahead in the 71st minute and Elliot Ronto made sure of the points with a third in the 81st minute.

However, HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS lost 3-0 at Phoenix Sports and BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT may feel disappointed to have only taken a point from their home clash with Cheshunt.

Regent led 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals from Kieron Baker and Ricky Griggs and were facing ten men after Cheshunt's Richard Haywood was sent off in the 18th minute.

But goals in the 63rd and 81st minutes allowed the visitors to snatch a point, despite them ending the game with nine men after a second red card eight minutes from time.