MALDON and Tiptree finished the Pitching In Isthmian League division north season with a 1-0 defeat against Witham Town in a game that encapsulated a disappointing campaign, writes LEE WITNEY.

The hosts started brightly, pressing the Witham back line from the first whistle, causing the visitors problems.

That early pressure looked to be paying dividends, when on 12 minutes, a great switch of play from Sam Carter across to the left to Terrell Egbri.

His cross found Louie Remi on the edge of the Witham penalty area, but his effort was well saved by Ben Lane.

With 20 minutes played, a poor Witham free-kick was intercepted by Remi who came away with the ball and played Michael Salako in on goal.

The Jammers man had a Witham defender for company as he made his way into the box and couldn’t keep his effort down.

It seemed like only a matter of time before Maldon would make their early dominance count.

A minute later, another peach of a ball in from Egbri found Remi at the back post, but the Jammers man miscued his effort and the chance was lost.

Witham managed to work their way back into proceedings, forcing Maldon into some sloppy passes.

But an effort from distance that cleared the crossbar from Farai Tsingano was all they had to show for their efforts after 35 minutes.

Witham were a far more dangerous prospect in the second half than in the first period.

Straight from kick-off they won a throw in which was hurled into the box by Ramiah Mills.

The ball was recycled back out to the Witham man who fired in a 25-yard shot which was just about shovelled away by keeper Budd.

Five minutes later, Mills was put through himself, this time, his effort drew a great save from the legs of Budd.

Maldon composed themselves and made their first forays forward with eight minutes of the second half played.

The opportunity arose through Remi’s pressing in the right back position, his ball to Harry was knocked onto Terrell, but he fired over.

Witham's winner came with 14 minutes remaining and was a sucker punch that seemed to sum up Maldon's season in a nutshell.

A Witham chance was cleared by Maldon, Terrell broke away with the ball and all of a sudden, it was four on two in the Jammers’ favour.

But at the wrong moment, the ball got stuck under Egbri’s feet and he was dispossessed.

The initial Witham shot was saved by Budd, but he could do nothing about Tsingano following in to tap the rebound home.

Maldon's late pressure to find an equaliser was limited to a shot at Lane from Jaggs and Godward's looping effort that nearly caught the Witham goalkeeper out.

The final whistle came and brought the curtain down on a difficult season for Maldon, for whom much more will be expected next season.