WITHAM TOWN 1 MALDON & TIPTREE 1

Ryman League division north

Lance Akins’ last-minute headed goal denied Ryman League division north leaders Maldon & Tiptree a pre-Christmas win at Witham Town.

In front of a crowd of 155 at the Village Glass Stadium, the Jammers had looked set for another three-point haul that would strengthen their position at the top of the table.

Tyler Brampton’s goal put them in a position to claim the win heading into the game’s final moments.

But Witham showed the benefits of staying in a match where they had been on the back foot as Akins glanced in a header in the dying moments to snatch a point for the hosts.

The corresponding match at Maldon’s Park Drive home had ended in a 4-2 win for the Jammers exactly three months previously.

Since that September encounter, Maldon and Tiptree had gone on to become the division’s dominant side and came into the return fixture having taken 16 points from their previous six games and sitting top of the table.

In contrast, Witham were looking to end a six-game run without a win and hoping for a pre-Christmas boost.

There was an early statement of intent from the visitors with a long clearance seeing Liam Nash race clear of the home defence and he tried a looping effort after spotting new Witham keeper Reece Paine off his line.

The ball just went over the bar but it was an early warning for the hosts.

However, they soon settled themselves and moved the ball well across the pitch to press the Jammers back.

Maldon are top of the league for a reason, though, and looked dangerous on the break and Paine had to be alert to come off his line in the 15th minute to smother a loose ball forward with Rhys Henry closing in.

It was to be Henry’s last bit of action as he was replaced by Eoin McKeown after just 18 minutes.

As play switch to the other end, good work by Nathan Koranteng opened a chance for Tim Monsheju to play in Max Bradford, but Paine’s opposite number – Daniel Wilks – proved as alert as his Witham counterpart.

Wilks was tested by Koranteng after a powerful run in from the right but Maldon still posed a threat on the break.

A long ball forward saw McKeown surge on and after Paine made an initial block, it took a wonderful sliding block off the line by John Watson to deny him at the second opportunity.

It heralded the start of a period of increased Maldon pressure as half-time approached and they went ahead in injury time at the end of the opening 45 minutes.

Pressure in the box ended with Nash’s cross being blocked by Witham full-back Tyler Hayes, but another Tyler – Brampton this time – was well-placed to react quickest and stab the ball into the back of the net.

It proved to be the final kick of the half and gave the hosts something to ponder during the break, but the second half began with Maldon staying on top.

The most threat was directed towards the home goal, although the Jammers were unable to set up too much in the way of clear-cut chances.

That changed in the 67th minute when the ball broke invitingly for Brampton to unleash a dipping half-volley but it just didn’t dip enough as it clattered off the Witham crossbar.

It meant Witham stayed in the game, which was becoming increasingly stretched as both sides knew the next goal could prove decisive.

Maldon kept pressing but they were made to pay for not taking chances in the 89th minute.

A foul by Matt Lock on Michael Osei midway into the Jammers’ half gave John Watson a chance to propel the ball into the visitors’ box.

He did just that and Akins rose highest to glance the ball off his head and into the bottom corner to grab a share of the spoils for a jubilant Witham in almost the very last action of the match.

Witham Town: Reece Paine, Alex Anderson, Tyler Hayes (Jamie Hudson), John Watson, Lance Akins, James Regis, Nathan Koranteng, Lewis Payne (Damien Green), Tim Monsheju. Max Bradford (Michael Osei), Usman Adeniji. Subs not used: Luke Mallett, Devon Jeggo.

Maldon & Tiptree: Daniel Wilks, Kyle Hammond, Joe Claridge, Matt Lock, Billy Roast, Gavin Greenfield, Tyler Brampton, Montel Agyermang, Ryhs Henry (Eoin McKeown), Liam Nash, Tarryn Allarakhia. Subs not used: Jerry Kamanzi, Josh Pollard, Kieran Monlouis.