Maldon & Tiptree 3, Basildon United 1
AFTER 11 attempts it proved twelfth time luck for the Jammers as they finally recorded an Isthmian North league win and it lifted them off the foot of the table.
Maldon welcomed back former keeper Tommy Dixon-Hodge who was voted the league's goalkeeper of the season when playing for Maldon last season.
The home side started the match on the front foot and their efforts were rewarded after only two minutes when Harvey Sayer went on a solo dribble down the Basildon right, only to be brought down about 20 yards from goal. Both Sayer and Laste Dombaxe stood over the ball but it was Sayer who fired in a shot into the corner of the net to put Maldon one up.
Maldon continued in the same vein and kept pushing forward.
With only five minutes on the clock Maldon striker Roman Campell, challenged for the ball on his own right wing before being brought down. Sayer again stood over the set piece which was far out towards the touchline. It seemed almost all 22 players were lining up on the edge of the Basildon penalty box and all ran in as Sayer fired in his free kick. The effort eluded them all, as well as the Basildon keeper, and the ball nestled in the corner of the Basildon net.
It was Maldon doing all the pressing and their efforts got the sizeable home crowd right behind them.
Further chances were missed but it was no surprise when, on 29 minutes, Maldon went 3-0 up. They won a free kick near to the corner flag and this was fired over to the far post. Joe Turpin headed towards goal and after a scramble Maldon captain, Lance Akins, fired home from close range.
Maldon's Sam Coombes had two further chances and Sayer was close to a first half hattrick when he shot narrowly wide.
Basildon created almost nothing and at half time it was Maldon and their supporters to wonder how they were not more than 3-0 up.
Basildon were much improved in the second half. Having said that it was still The Jammers that looked the more dangerous team and they continued to press onto their opposition at every opportunity.
Chances were fewer and Basildon created their first real chance when a header was fired just over the Maldon goal. It was still Maldon having the better chances, Akins again coming close with a flicked header going just over the bar.
There was one move in the half that summed how well Maldon were playing and how much they were dominating the game.
After a fluid team move the ball was laid back by Brad McClenaghan to Evan Collard near to the penalty spot. As he shot the game seemed to pause as everybody waited for the Basildon net to bulge. Somehow it didn't and as the game ebbed away it was Basildon who scored on 84 minutes after a scramble in the box and a penalty being awarded. Monsheju confidently netted past Dixon-Hodge who hadn't had a proper save to make in the whole game.
Maldon next face local rivals Braintree Town at home in The Essex Senior Cup at 7.45pm on Tuesday 9th November.
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