MALDON and Tiptree were comprehensively beaten 3-1 by Ipswich Wanderers in their latest Pitching In Isthmian League division north game, writes LEE WITNEY.
Following a hard-fought draw against Grays last time out, the Jammers were looking to continue their unbeaten run against the league’s bottom side.
The hosts started well as they looked to add to the four points they had collected in the last two matches.
The first chance of note fell their way when a turnover in the middle led to pinball in the Maldon box but eventually the Jammers cleared their lines.
That appeared to rouse Kevin Horlock’s men and they went straight up the other end where Matt Yates saw his effort cleared.
Both keepers were forced into their first meaningful action moments apart too.
Elliott Justham pushed aside an Ipswich effort from distance after 20 minutes.
Warren Burwood responded for Ipswich to deny Kai Brown from a narrow angle.
Just before the half hour, Maldon were ahead. A free-kick was cleared only as far as Brown on the edge of the box.
He took aim with a low shot that squirmed under Burwood and over the line.
Ipswich remained unfazed. Just before half-time, they drew level.
Maldon were caught out at the back and a cross in from the right was smashed home by Max Tate.
The second half was something of a master class from Wanderers in executing a game plan to perfection.
The first chance of the half fell Maldon’s way. Tyrique Hyde played a great pass down the left hand side that Louie Arrowsmith did brilliantly to keep in play. He cut inside before being crudely taken out for a free-kick.
With 66 minutes gone, Wanderers took the lead. A free-kick from 20 yards out was hammered hard and low past Justham by Ben Stannard.
The Jammers just couldn’t get a foothold in the game as Ipswich’s resilience and gamesmanship dispirited any rhythm Maldon tried to build.
They nearly added a third late on but were denied by a great sliding block from Cawley.
As the game entered stoppage time, everything imploded for Maldon.
Joe Paxman was penalised for a coming together in the Ipswich box.
While the referee was dealing with that, Burwood and Gary Hooper exchanged words with Hooper pushing the Ipswich keeper away by his neck and face.
After consulting with his assistant, the ref showed a straight red to Hooper and his afternoon was done.
Ashley Blow added a third for the home side in the seventh minute of stoppage time to complete a deserved win for Wanderers and compound Maldon’s misery.
Share