MALDON and Tiptree got back to winning ways in Pitching In Isthmian League division north with a 2-0 win over Ipswich Wanderers at Park Drive, writes LEE WITNEY.
In a game the Jammers dominated from start to finish, Harry Phillips had an early effort saved by Danny Cullum, who did well to stop the swerving strike.
Hakeem Sandah nearly opened his Maldon account in spectacular fashion in the 21st minute, as he cut inside onto his right and let fly with a shot that smacked the inside of a post and bounced away.
The home side continued to create chances as Terrell Egbri fired over and Louis Britton had an effort cleared off the line.
Ipswich had to wait until ten minutes before half-time for their first chance, with Matt Blake shooting wide from distance.
But Maldon should have taken the lead on the stroke of half-time with a swift counter attack.
Sandah played the ball inside to Smith who slipped as he took aim and the chance was gone.
Despite their near total dominance, Maldon went in at the break on level terms and the second half continued where the first left off.
Barely a minute after the interval, Sandah turned his defender inside out and cut in to unleash a shot that was headed off the line by Kris Rose.
Maldon continued to create chances, with Phillips letting fly with an outrageous volley that Cullum could only beat away.
A rare Ipswich chance fell the well of Charley Barker but he ballooned over and with an hour gone, the Jammers got the breakthrough they deserved.
Egbri's low shot was too hot for Cullum to handle and he could only push the ball into the path of Britton, who duly tapped home from two yards.
Eight minutes later, Harry Honesty bagged his first Jammers goal to double the lead and give the hosts some breathing space.
Barely a minute later, Honesty nearly doubled his tally as he took aim, only for his effort to be sliced over his own bar by Rose.
Good work from Yassine to win the ball back gave Honesty a crossing opportunity, which he took to put a great ball in for Smith, but he couldn’t quite get his feet sorted and Ipswich survived.
Blake looked to have given Ipswich a lifeline into added time but he was denied by the assistant’s flag, as the Jammers claimed victory.
Next up for the Jammers is a trip to Brentwood, on Friday evening.
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