The Jammers welcomed new signing Ashlee Jones in goal as they kicked off against Stowmarket Town in their Isthmian League North clash today (October 15).

The Jammers belied their lowly league position in the first half, and after an even start, it was Maldon who did most of the pressing forward.

On 17 minutes, Brad Ihionvien was fouled 25 yards from the Stowmarket goal, and teammate Laste Dombaxe curled a great free kick into the corner of the opposition goal.

Maldon continued to push forward, with Stowmarket creating only the odd half-chance.

On 27 minutes, Harvey Sayer picked up the ball on the right and pushed towards the Stowmarket goal. He curled another great shot into the goal to give the Stowmarket keeper no chance. This put Maldon 2-0 up and in the driving seat.

Maldon seemed to get a little nervy as half time approached. The game changed on 43 minutes, when Maldon gave the ball away cheaply and Josh Curry was given free run to the Maldon goal. Curry comfortably beat Jones in the Jammers' goal.

Half time came, with Maldon up 2-1.

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The second half started quite evenly and both teams had half-chances.

But the game changed totally when, on 62 minutes, the referee very harshly awarded a penalty to Stowmarket, when Scott Kemp made an innocuous challenge in the box. The decision left the Maldon team and supporters mystified and salt went into the wounds as Reggie Lambe coolly slotted home the spot kick to level the scores.

From this point, there only looked one winner and it was no surprise when, on 67 minutes, a pinpoint Stowmarket cross found an unmarked Jack Ainsley who headed home to put Stowmarket 3-2 up.

The Jammers did push forward in the last 10 minutes but created little - and their hopes of levelling ended when Jake Giddings put their last half-chance over the bar.

Stowmarket won an entertaining game 3-2. While they push upwards, Maldon's struggles continue.

Maldon will face Coggeshall in an away league game next Saturday (October 22).