Maldon & Tiptree 0, West Essex 0

Maldon & Tiptree are still in the FA Cup, but it was a rocky road as they were taken to a replay after surviving an almighty scare against West Essex at Park Drive.

There were three changes from the side that opened the league campaign with Guy Norton, Andre Hasanally and Samuel Ayoola coming in for Chris Gregan, Louie Remi and George Smith respectively.

West Essex started well and had the ball in the back of the net after just seven minutes through Theo Jones, but he was denied the opener by the assistant's flag.

A quarter of an hour in, and Dillion Woods got in behind the Maldon back line before cutting back to David Bell on the edge of the box, his effort curling just wide of the post.

The Jammers' first chance of the afternoon came on the half hour mark. Reece Clarke struck a freekick on the left hand side of the Maldon box for the visitors, drawing a great save from Tom Middlehurst for a corner.

From that, Alex Clark intercepted the ball and ran the length of the pitch before getting a shot away which was well saved by Michael Corderoy at his near post.

Maldon managed to create a few half chances before the break with Callum Stringer shooting over and Ayoola playing the ball across the penalty box, but there was no one there to convert on the spot.

The hosts needed an improved performance in the second half, but unfortunately it never really materialised.

With 10 minutes played, the visitors should have taken the lead with Zak Oliver squaring for Bell who had the simple task of finishing from close range, but an improbable stop from Middlehurst on his own goal line kept the scores level,

Two minutes later, miscommunication in the Jammer's defence allowed Bell to get a shot away from distance, but the ball sailed wide with the Maldon keeper stranded.

Bell had a couple of half chances as the visitors looked to make their play count, but neither were too strenuous for Middlehurst. Ike Olaiya tried his luck from distance and although the ball moved, Middlehurst was equal to that too.

With 20 minutes to play, the Jammers needed to make a mark on the game and nearly did so after good play between Terrell and George Smith allowing Egbri to get a cross in which had to be tipped over by Corderoy from his own man.

Just moments later, the golden opportunity came and went for Maldon when Michael Finneran headed wide of the goal from a couple of yards out after a wonderful delivery in by Billy Willis.

The last five minutes turned into the "Tom Middlehurst Show" as he made a string of wonderful saves to keep Maldon alive in the competition. Ike Olaiya found himself through on goal, but in his way was the imposing frame of the giant Middlehurst to save well.

Next to try his luck was Dillion Woods, but he too found Middlehurst in imperious form in the Jammers goal.

Oliver had one last chance to win it for the Essex Senior League side when he found himself free at the back post, but he slipped as he took his shot and Maldon had survived a torrid afternoon to keep their Cup dreams alive.

After Tuesday's replay at the Lawtech Stadium Maldon travel to Lowestoft on Saturday, 26 August for a league game and then on Bank Holiday Monday, 29th August host Grays in another league game.

A reminder that at the Grays game the club are doing a food bank collection on behalf for Maldon Food Pantry. Please come along and donate as generously as you can.