MALDON and Tiptree’s FA Cup dream was crushed in humiliating fashion by Biggleswade who ran out 8-0 winners in the first qualifying round, writes LEE WITNEY.
The hosts' bright start was rewarded after six minutes when Alex Marsh’s corner was sliced into his own net by Jammers man Sam Ayoola.
The Jammers set about restoring parity immediately with a couple of free-kicks that came to nothing and on 15 minutes, a cross in from Billy Willis was taken off Ayoola’s head by Adam Tilson.
A minute later, Biggleswade had a second.
A clearance from Tom Middlehurst hit Alex Marsh who squared it to Pemi Aderoju who had the simple task of rolling the ball home into an empty net.
The hosts had all the momentum and before half-time, they had a third goal to kill the tie off.
Adam Hunt released Lawrie Marsh, who squared for Aderoju to tuck home his second of the afternoon.
The second half only got worse and with ten minutes played, Aderoju had his hat-trick, Marsh and Hunt combining well down their right and the cross was finished by the Biggleswade with aid of a deflection which completely wrong footed Middlehurst.
With 57 minutes played, Biggleswade had their fifth and Aderoju had his fourth, capitalising on Middlehurst's air kick on the edge of his box and slotting home.
Lawrie Marsh got in on the act on the hour, with Aderoju turning provider, squaring the ball after David Bond’s initial effort had been blocked.
The closest Maldon came was a Harry Phillips effort which grazed the post from a narrow angle, with 25 minutes left.
Two late goals from Rio Martucci, firstly heading home a cross and then rifling home an eighth in additional time, completed the Jammers’ embarrassment on a dark afternoon for everyone associated with the club.
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