Gorleston FC 1 - Maldon & Tiptree FC 0

Maldon & Tiptree suffered a disappointing defeat to Gorleston on Saturday afternoon in a match that was low on quality and didn't produce much in the way of creativity.

Fresh from confirming their Isthmian North status with a 2-1 win over Hullbridge on Easter Monday, there were three changes to the team with skipper, Michael Finneran, Michael Salako and Samuel Ayoola making way for Toib Adeyemi, Louie Remi and George Smith.

With both sides having nothing to play for, it was perhaps no surprise the game was slow to get going. The Jammers arguably had the better of the opening exchanges but it took until the 10th minute for the first chance of note to materialise. A cross in from the Maldon right hand side nearly found the head of Terrell Egbri at the back post, the ball was cleared away but only as far as Harry Phillips on the edge of the box. His left footed effort was just dragged the wrong side of the far post as the game remained goalless.

On 23 minutes, some great pressing from Terrell to win the ball back on the edge of the Gorleston box presented Sam Carter with a chance one on one with Jake Jessup. The angle was always against Carter, however, and Jessup made a fairly routine save.

With half an hour played, the visitors came forward again - this time through Louie Remi. With footwork that isn't too dissimilar to me on the dancefloor at a wedding, he bamboozled the defence, but saw his shot blocked. The ball broke back to Remi who squared it for Egbri to have a try, but his effort cleared the bar.

With half time approaching, the hosts created a couple of chances for themselves, firstly an effort form the top left corner of the box drawing a smart save from Jammers keeper, Rob Budd pushing a Nathan Stewart effort away to his right and then a header which was put over by Craig Parker from a corner.

Half time arrived in the early spring sunshine with both goalkeepers having been relatively untroubled. A special mention should go to Gorleston keeper Jessup for his efforts to revive the 90's tradition of goalkeepers wearing baseball caps- something which should only be applauded.

The second half began with the Jammers looking the more lively of the two sides. Five minutes had passed when Billy Willis put a wonderful cross in from the right hand side which was just taken off the toes of George Smith in front of goal for a corner.

The resulting corner came to nothing and Gorleston managed to spring a counter attack. Some alert goalkeeping from Budd to intercept the through ball was nearly in vain when the clearance fell to Jacek Zielonka. However, with the Jammers man stranded, the Gorleston effort was put well over the bar as Maldon survived.

The Jammers regained their composure and a couple of minutes later, a sublime backheel from Phillips set Willis away down the right again. Another great ball into Smith allowed the latter to get a shot away, but it was deflected wide for a corner.

Just before the hour mark, a Lewis Jaggs header from a freekick was fumbled by Jessup, the ball was hacked clear only as far as Smith who unleashed an effort from 25 yards which was well blocked by Angus Mackie.

With a little over 25 minutes left the hosts started to work their way back into the game. A header over the bar and then a blocked shot from 18 yards out five minutes later along with calls for a penalty suggested there was life in this game yet.

With 83 minutes played, Gorleston snatched what was to prove to be the winning goal. A Maldon throw-in was intercepted by Connor Deeks on the Gorleston left hand side about 20 yards inside their own half. His long, raking pass found Henry Pollock who put a low ball into the Maldon six-yard box, giving Ross Gilfedder the job of bundling the ball home to the delight of the home fans.

A couple of late Maldon corners came to nothing as the hosts closed out the game to pick up a 1-0 win and leapfrog the Jammers into 13th place in the league.

One last away outing - this time to Wroxham - awaits us on Tuesday night, kicking off at 7.45pm.