MALDON and Tiptree rued missed chances as Walthamstow held them to a 1-1 draw at the Drewitt and Barlow Stadium, writes MAX FRETWELL.
The hosts entered the game in mid-table in the Pitching In Isthmian North division, looking for a big home win to narrow the gap to the sides above them.
Walthamstow came into the game holding 10th position and had a healthy 13-point gap over the Jammers.
A fast start to the match saw three good chances within the opening 15 minutes.
The best, though, fell to the visitors, who capitalised on a mishap in the Jammers' defence before firing a shot off the crossbar.
The Jammers were clearly the more ball-dominant team, while Walthamstow were keen to sit back and look for counters.
The visitors had a good chance inside the penalty area to finish off a long throw, but after 25 minutes, the deadlock had yet to be broken.
Although the Jammers had more possession, Walthamstow used their moments wisely to win free-kicks in dangerous areas, many of which were angrily contested by home players and fans.
An entertaining start fizzled out and the latter parts of the half became scrappy as the Jammers ball domination and chance creation faded.
This, coupled with the fact fans and players were getting frustrated, provided the perfect storm for Walthamstow to head in on as the half-time whistle blew.
Walthamstow took the lead three minutes into the second half, when a fantastic run and low strike into the bottom right corner from the edge of the box by Tyrone Baker gave Elliot Justham no chance in the Jammers' net.
It was not just me that sensed the tide was starting to turn, the home fans gave remarks of “and there it is” when the goal went in - almost as if it was to be expected based on the first-half trend.
Walthamstow went crazy when a penalty was not awarded for what looked like a handball inside the box as the clock hit the hour mark.
And it looked an uphill battle now for Maldon who, to their credit, are always backed well vocally in the stands.
Maldon manager Kevin Horlock made two attacking changes, but Walthamstow were still looking the more likely to score with Justham denying Louie Johnson inside the box with a strong leg save.
As previously stated, Walthamstow were growing into the game in the first half but
Horlock must have surely been fuming at the way the second half was panning out, with Maldon looking like a side who were losing confidence the longer the game went on and, unlike the first half, making mistakes defensively.
But for all of their downfalls in this game, substitute Kai Brown placed a header beyond the reach of Lamar Johnson to equalise in the 86th minute.
The goal came from a direct corner and Brown’s positioning was perfect to latch onto a flick-on.
Football truly is a funny game and one moment, despite how badly you have played, can be the difference between winning and losing, as proven here.
Horlock would have been pleased that one of his substitutes made an impact, but overall, perhaps a bit disappointed with the performance and result, especially considering the fact ex-Celtic and Norwich City striker Gary Hooper missed a golden one on one chance in the 95th minute to snatch the win.
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