Maldon & Tiptree v East Thurrock United

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MANAGER PETER TAYLOR

GOOD AFTERNOON AND WELCOME TO ALL FOR TODAY’S ISTHMIAN NORTH LEAGUE MATCH AT HOME TO EAST THURROCK UNITED, ESPECIALLY OPPONENTS MANAGER MARC HARRISON AND HIS ASSISTANTS.

Unfortunately, we lost the last league game we played here against Grays Athletic, but I was very pleased with the way we played - especially during the first hour.

We are improving and we are doing well. When you have a change of opinions and new players it’s always going to take time, but I am happy with our progress but I know that we have to keep working hard to get safe.

I am delighted to welcome two new players to Park Drive, with Billy Willis joining from Hashtag United and George Smith from Hullbridge Sports. I am confident that you will like them both.

On matchdays you will see another staff member in John Sussex who has been with us for the past three games. I’ve known John a while and he is going to be a great help to us.

I hope you enjoy the game, especially our commitment. PT

“WHEN YOU HAVE A CHANGE OF OPINIONS AND NEW PLAYERS IT’S ALWAYS GOING TO TAKE TIME, BUT I AM HAPPY WITH OUR PROGRESS”

0

GRAYS ATHLETIC

SAM BANTICK 62, 69

MALDON & TIPTREE 2

A double from Grays Athletic marksman, Sam Bantick saw the visitors take all three points at a wet and windy Park Drive.

A run of three straight wins had seen the Jammers climb to 14th in the League, while Grays were sat just outside of the playoff places in sixth place prior to their visit to the Essex Riviera.

The game started at a frenetic pace, with both sides looking to impose themselves early on - moving the ball well and constantly looking for a forward pass when possible. It was Maldon who seized the initiative with a familiar theme of Kempy and Callum pressing from the front, and much like me at an all-you-can-eat buffet, making a real nuisance of themselves.

The first chance of note for either side came just after the quarter hour mark, when a shot from the Jammers’ match winner last week, Harry Phillips forced goalkeeper, Danny Sambridge to push his effort round the post for a Maldon corner.

Ten minutes later and Maldon had the chance to go ahead that their play deserved. A cross into the Grays box from Kojo Awotwi- who was making his first appearance since the defeat to Stowmarket back in October- hit a hand. The referee pointed to the spot and it was left to last week’s hero, Phillips to repeat the trick from 12 yards.

But just as Phillips was steadying himself to take it, Grays’ former Jammers midfielder, Rob Clark (he of the halfway line wonder goal against Canvey last season) got into a tangle with Terrell Egbri, pushing him to the ground. For reasons completely unknown to me, dear reader, the referee let Clark off without a booking. Perhaps that delay played on Harry’s mind, as his penalty was saved by Sambridge down low to his right and the game remained goalless.

The Jammers kept going and on 33 minutes, came close again. A lovely ball down the line from Kojo found Callum who flashed a ball across the Grays goalmouth but unfortunately couldn’t find a Maldon shirt.

It took the visitors until the 40th

Saturday 14th January Park Drive

Attendance: 301

Pitching In Isthmian League North

minute before they troubled the Jammers goal in any meaningful way, with the ball pinballing around the penalty box and eventually breaking to centre back, Callum Leahy on the edge of the box. He clipped a shot goalwards that fortunately landed on top of the netting rather than nestling in it.

That was all Grays had to show for their first half efforts as Maldon had one last chance to go into the break ahead. A great run and clever footwork to dance through the incoming challenges from left back, Peter Mokweyne allowed him to get a cross in, but it was just ahead of Kempy and he could only toe poke it straight at Sambridge.

The half-time whistle signalled the end of a 45 minutes that the

Jammers could be happy with, but also one they definitely should have led.

The second half began and so did the rain. And it was biblical. Kicking into the shallow end, we set about trying to pick up from where we finished the first half. Ten minutes after the restart, Callum cut through the heart of the Grays defence, but could only slice his shot past Sambridge’s left hand post.

In spite of that chance, Grays were looking far more lively and on 62 minutes, they struck and made the hosts pay for not taking their chances when a throw in found Bantick on the right hand side of the Maldon box. His well-placed shot into the opposite top-hand corner left Tommy with no chance.

Maldon tried to rally and although Sambridge smothered an effort a few minutes after the restart, on 70 minutes, a long Grays ball forward set Bantick and Tommy into a footrace. It was one that the Grays

man won, beating the offside trap to round the Maldon keeper and slotting home to double his and his side’s tally for the afternoon.

Try as they might, the Jammers couldn’t land a telling punch on the Grays goal, with Lesley firing wide from about 15 yards out and Harry putting a free-kick the wrong side of the post. In between those two efforts, a good one on one save from Tommy denied Bantick his hat-trick.

The game petered out into the cold Essex afternoon, with Bantick’s 18th and 19th goals of the season proving decisive and ending Peter Taylor’s winning start as Jammers’ boss.

Words: Lee Witney

MATCH & MATCH BALL SPONSORS

DATE OPPONENT MATCH

MATCH BALL MOTM

Sat 13 Aug Tilbury The Jammers FA Duplexity Artwork Harvey Sayer

Sat 20 Aug Harpenden Town (FACPR) Forrester Park Andreas Carter Sports Martyn Stokes

Mon 29 Aug Heybridge Swifts Maldon & Tiptree YFC Maldon Padel Club Benny Bioletti

Sat 3 Sep Haringey Borough (FAC1QR) Yokogawa SB Electrical Solutions Ltd Laste Dombaxe

Sat 10 Sep Ware (FAT1QR) Roy & Liz Warner Lifestyle Shutters & Blinds Dylan Logan

Sat 17 Sep Hornchurch (FAC2QR) Joe’s Carpets Andreas Carter Sports Harvey Sayer

Tue 20 Sep Hashtag United Arrows Taxis Megan Crane Tom Middlehurst

Sat 1 Oct Great Wakering Rovers Chutney House Mitchell’s Jewellers Benny Bioletti

Tue 11 Oct Hashtag United (VT2) Darling Picture Framing Benny Bioletti

Sat 15 Oct Stowmarket Town Maldon & Tiptree Youth FC Laste Dombaxe

Sat 5 Nov Basildon United Kappa The Queen Victoria Harvey Sayer

Tue 8 Nov Braintree Town (ESC3) Andreas Carter Sports The Jammers FA Ronnie Bates

Sat 19 Nov New Salamis Paphos Jammers Overseas Jammers Scott Kemp

Sat 3 Dec Gorleston In memory of Darren “Dazza” Gibbons Benny Bioletti

Mon 2 Jan Hullbridge Sports Maldon & Tiptree Youth FC Terrell Egbri

Sat 14 Jan Grays Athletic Forrester Park

Sat 28 Jan East Thurrock United Forrester Park

Tue 31 Jan Wroxham The Jammers FA

Sat 11 Feb Bury Town Available Available

Sat 18 Feb Felixstowe & Walton Available Available

Sat 4 Mar Brentwood Town Available Available

Sat 18 Mar Coggeshall Town Available Available

Sat 25 Mar Lowestoft Town Available Available

Sat 8 Apr AFC Sudbury Available Available

Mon 22 Apr Witham Town Available Available

CLUB NEWS SQUAD BOLSTERED WITH DOUBLE SIGNING

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THE SIGNINGS OF BOTH BILLY WILLIS AND GEORGE SMITH.

The duo have both made the move to Park Drive from Hashtag United and are available for this afternoon’s game with East Thurrock United.

An experienced defender, Willis makes the move to Park Drive from Hashtag United and lists Canvey Island, Heybridge Swifts and Tilbury amongst his former clubs. During last season, the full back captained Witham Town and can also appear in midfield.

Another former Hashtag player, Smith is an experienced forward who has spent the past year with Hullbridge Sports. He bagged 36 goals in 61 outings for Hashtag, whom he had joined after a stint with Coggeshall Town.

“SMITH IS AN EXPERIENCED FORWARD WHO HAS SPENT THE PAST YEAR WITH HULLBRIDGE SPORTS. HE BAGGED 36 GOALS IN 61 OUTINGS FOR HASHTAG”

IN OPPOSITION EAST THURROCK UNITED

THE IDEA OF FORMING A SENIOR CLUB TO REPRESENT THE RAPIDLY GROWING AREA AROUND CORRINGHAM AND STANFORD-LEHOPE GRADUALLY EVOLVED FROM THE SUCCESSFUL CORRINGHAM SOCIAL CLUB SUNDAY TEAMTOWARDS THE LATE 1960s.

On Sunday 27th April 1969 a meeting was held at the Corringham Club, and it was agreed that we should form East Thurrock United FC. A major force in getting the new club off the ground was Brian Fayres, who was to become the “Rocks” first ever team manager.

In their inaugural season, 1969-70, the club played in the Southern Essex Combination, with home games being played at Corringham Recreation Ground,and the fledgling Rocks finished third in the table. For the next season the Rocks gained use of the former LATHOL company sports ground in Billet Lane Stanford le Hope, and with the improved facilities there, switched to the Greater London League, playing in their reserve section which in those days was a route into senior football for aspiring intermediate level clubs.

1970-71 saw the Rocks winning their first league title, becoming

champions of Greater London reserve division two, and following promotion they became reserve division one champions in 1971-72. The club then gained senior nonleague status,but in order to achieve this had to move to groundshare with Grays Athletic. Despite facing considerably stronger opposition,the Rocks went on to finish champions of senior division two of what had become the Metropolitan London League. The Rocks third championship and promotion in successive seasons.

So, the 1973-74 season saw the Rocks playing in the top division of the Met-London League, but after making an excellent start with wins over fancied sides Cray Wanderers and Swanley Town, things turned somewhat sour, and they ended the season just avoiding relegation.

A period of struggle then followed. The club lost the use of Grays Rec,

and had to move back to the very basic, slowly deteriorating, and now council owned Billet Ground.

The club also lost a number of key figures, as it slowly became obvious that finding a site on which to develop a home ground was a much more difficult proposition than had originally been envisaged. At the end of the 1974-75 season the committee proposed at a general meeting that the club be wound up, and only a decisive casting vote from chairman Ted Comer ensured the club survived to fight another day.

During the mid-late seventies, the club consolidated their position as members of the Met-London/ London-Spartan League, while off the field the committee continued their search for a site on which to develop a ground. In 1979 the club switched from the London Spartan to the Essex Senior League.

In the early 1980’s the club became interested in a site in Rookery Hill, Corringham. It had been purchased by a Housing Association, but they had subsequently been refused planning permission and had to sell the site. August 1982 saw the club exchanging contracts,and Rookery Hill was theirs. All they had to do then was convert a couple of rough farm and grazing fields into a football ground. After a lot of hard work, the club marked their first ever real home game with a 7-0 win over Coggeshall Town on 25th August 1984.

Under manager Roger Bond the Rocks gradually improved their placings in the Essex Senior League, and after going close on two occasions, finally won promotion to the Isthmian League in 1992.

Tommy Lee became the manager for four seasons in the late 1990’s, but a big change took place in 2001 when the club fell into financial difficulties, and local businessman Benny Bennett took control of the club. Under Benny, and new manager Lee Patterson the Rocks moved up the pyramid, making it to the Isthmian Premier in 2005. In

late October 2007Lee was enticed away to manage National League side Braintree, and his assistant John Coventry became the Rocks new manager.

Despite suffering relegation from the Isthmian Premier by the narrowest of margins at the end of his first season, under “Covo” the Rocks went on to enjoy the most successful period in their short history to date. In 2009, Covo brought in a young striker named Sam Higgins. “Higgo” was well known to John Coventry, having been part of the Thurrock District Schools team which John had coached. Having been with the Southend United and Millwall youth sides, at 19 years old Sam had already tried his luck with Conference South sides Fisher Athletic and Bishop’s Stortford. However, it was under John Coventry at the Rocks that he was to make his name, smashing the club goalscoring records, and ending his Rocks career in 2019with 275 club goals.

Under John Coventry the team made club history, reaching the first round proper of the FA Cup on two occasions, won two promotions,

enjoyed their best ever FA Trophy run, won their first ever Essex Senior Cup, and enjoyed three brilliant seasons mixing it with the “big boys” of non-league in National South.

Sadly, the club’s third season in National South ended in relegation back into the Isthmian Premier. 2019-20 was to be a sad season at Rookery Hill,as firstly muchloved club owner Benny Bennett sadly passed away, and a few months later John Coventry announced that he would be standing down at the end of the season. Then Covid hit, meaning all football at our level was brought to a halt in early March 2020.

Things looked bleak for the club’s future for awhile, as most of the offfield management and admin teams also departed the club at the same time as John Coventry. However, the arrival in the spring of 2020 of anew owner in Alfie Best, the founder and chairman of the Thurrock based Wyldecrest Parks residential park homes empire, along with a new admin team recruited mostly from supporters and former players, and led from the front by new chairman Steve Wiseman the club kept the show on the road.

Former Romford FC boss Paul Martin was appointed the new team manager, but sadly the club only managed nine league games before the second covid wave caused another lockdown, bringing a second successive season to a premature conclusion.

2021-22 saw football returning to something like normality, but also ended in relegation with the Rocks, returning to Isthmian North for the first time in eleven years.

November 2021 saw manager Paul Martin standing down after a run of heavy defeats, and he was replaced by the former Tilbury FC management team of Marc Harrison and Liam Wallace.

PLAYER PROFILES

MONTEL JOSEPH – GOALKEEPER

An imposing presence on the pitch, and a popular figure around the club, Montel made his debut against Hashtag United in August 2022, a game which was decided by highly two contentious decisions by the officials, and it was certainly a debut he’ll never forget. Montel was with the Bristol City academy as a youngster, playing for their youth and reserve sides. On his release from City, he joined Boreham Wood, subsequently switching to Hendon, then Northwood FC, and while there got an invitation to travel to the Caribbean to represent Trinidad & Tobago. He stayed out there for a while, playing for Central FC. On his return to the UK, he re-joined Northwood for a while, also having spells with Barking and Wembley. More recently he had been with Hanwell Town in the Southern League

RYAN BOSWELL - DEFENDER

‘Boz’ was a member of our successful under eighteen side back in 2013-14, and after making a handful of Isthmian Premier appearances from the bench early in the 2014-15 season Rocks then manager John Coventry sent him out on dual registration to Romford. He was an ever present for Paul Martin’s Boro side for the next two seasons before switching to Bowers & Pitsea for the 2017-18 campaign following a brief stint back with the Rocks. Ryan then joined Tilbury FC in September 2018, and was a Dockers regular until Marc brought him back to Rookery Hill in January 2022. Ryan predominantly operates as a right wing back, but can also play a holding midfield role, and towards the end of last season proved his versatility by comfortably moving into a central defensive role for the final few games.

JACK McQUEEN - DEFENDER

Jack first came to prominence as a youth player with Barking FC, where he also captained the Essex FA representative side at under eighteen level. Jack had made his Barking first team debut as a seventeen year old in early 2018. He switched to our borough neighbours Grays Athletic in the summer of 2019 and apart from a brief spell with Harlow Town was a regular starter for the Blues over the next three seasons. Jack moved over to join the Rocks during the close season and has quickly settled into the side.

JACK HAYES - DEFENDER

A well respected, powerful central defender, Jack is another close season signing, joining from Coggeshall Town. He had enjoyed two successful spells with the Seedgrowers, and has also spent time with Barking and Stansted.

BEN STEWARD – DEFENDER.

Joined the Rocks in late September, originally on a loan arrangement from our Isthmian Premier neighbours Aveley FC. However, in late November he committed fully to the Rocks. A confident and highly rated defender, he came through the Bowers & Pitsea youth system, and went on to make twenty-seven appearances for their senior side. He also had a spell at Basildon United in late 2021, making seventeen appearances before returning to Bowers. During the summer he moved over to Aveley, making nine appearances for the Millers.

HARRY CRITCHLEY – DEFENDER

Another product of the highly respected AFC Sudbury academy set-up, Harry can operate anywhere down the left flank, and worked his way into the Sudbury senior side in 2019, but left to spend a year or so

at Coggeshall Town. He returned to Sudbury in January 2022, before switching to the Rocks in August 2022.

BEN WYSS – MIDFIELD/DEFENDER

Twenty year old Ben is a product of the Ipswich Town youth system. Ben progressed through the Suffolk side’s various age groups, to the fringes of the senior squad before being released in the summer of 2021. After impressing in preseason, Ben signed for the Rocks and quickly established himself as a key player, popular with fans and fellow players alike. Was an ever present last season, making forty nine appearances and scoring seven goals. He was voted “Supporters Player of the Season” for 2021-22. A versatile player, who is equally at home in a wing back or attacking midfield position. He left during the summer to join Isthmian Premier side Hornchurch, but was unable to settle and after a subsequent spell at Brentwood Town he rejoined the Rocks in November.

TOM BARTON - MIDFIELD/DEFENDER

A key member of the Rocks squad, Tom goes about his business quietly and effectively whether he’s playing at the back or in midfield. Tom was skipper of Basildon United when they won promotion from Essex Senior into the Isthmian League back in 2018, subsequently moving to Tilbury FC with Marc and Liam. Tom was a Dockers ever present until then Rocks manager Paul Martin persuaded him to step up to Isthmian Premier level by joining us in the summer of 2021.

JORDAN PEART – MIDFIELD

Jordan was one of previous manager Paul Martin’s first Rocks signings back in July 2020. In a season which was curtailed due to the

Covid situation, Jordan featured in all eleven of our games. When football resumed in August 2021, he switched to Bowers & Pitsea for a handful of games before joining Marc and Liam at Tilbury. Earlier in his career Jordan had featured for Barking and Aveley. Seen to best effect when operating in a wide left position, Jordan can show an electric burst of speed.

SAM CARTER – MIDFIELD

Highly rated teenage midfielder

Sam is a product of the successful Concord Rangers youth set-up, and originally joined us in September 2022 on a dual registration basis with the Beachboys, but made the move a permanent one in late October. Last season Sam enjoyed a spell at Basildon United, where he made fourteen appearances. As part of the early season Concord senior squad, Sam has already gained valuable experience playing in National South.

ISAAC SKUBICH - MIDFIELD

Another talented player who signed after impressing in pre-season, and quickly settled into the Rocks midfield. Isaac developed his skills at the Ipswich Town and AFC Sudbury academies. He spent the 2021-22 season playing at Coggeshall Town, and has previously enjoyed spells with Felixstowe & Walton United and Leiston.

OLI SPOONER - MIDFIELD

Rocks skipper Oli followed Mark and Liam over from Tilbury FC in late November 2021. A key force in the Rocks ‘engine room’, Oli had previously played under the now Rocks management team at Basildon United where he was a member of the Bees side which won promotion from the Essex Senior League in 2018. While

at Basildon Oli was selected to represent the FA in two goodwill internationals played in the Falkland Islands in late 2018. He switched to the Dockers midway through the 2018-19 season.

FRANKEY

WILLIAMS – MIDFIELD

Another lad from our successful under 18 side who excelled in preseason.

HARRY

HOPE – ATTACKING MIDFIELD

A competitive midfielder with an eye for goal, Harry can also play in a more advanced, forward role if required. Harry joined the club from National South side Braintree Town, making his debut at Lewes in February 2022. Harry started out playing for his hometown club Nailsea United in the Somerset Premier League, then while studying at Cardiff Metropolitan University, Harry played for Cardiff Met FC in the Welsh Premier League, before moving on to Bath based Southern League side Larkhall Athletic.

JOHNNY ASHMAN –ATTACKING MIDFIELD

A product of the West Ham United youth set-up, Johnny first came to prominence in non-league as a teenager with Clapton FC, where he was the Tons “Player of the Year” in his first season. He then spent time with Cheshunt, Bowers & Pitsea and Witham Town, and was with Barking during the two Covid truncated seasons. Joined the Rocks in the summer of 2021, and made forty six appearances, scoring ten goals. He was club ‘Player of the Season’ last year, but left in the close season to join premier division Haringey Borough, where he spent the first half of the current season before rejoining the Rocks in January 2023.Excellent on the ball, and dangerous going forward.

Johnny is best seen in a wide midfield role, but can also operate up front in a central role.

BRIAN MOSES – FORWARD

A very experienced striker at our level, Brian joined the club in early September 2020, scoring on his debut, an FA Cup win over Biggleswade. At 6ft 7inches, Brian cuts an imposing figure on the pitch. A popular and well respected player around the non-league circuit, the 26 year old had previously enjoyed a spell playing under Marc and Liam at Tilbury FC, and includes Cheshunt, Maldon & Tiptree, Basildon United and Grays Athletic amongst his previous clubs.

ALEX HERNANDEZ – FORWARD

Twenty year old forward Alex came through the youth ranks at Concord Rangers, and was part of the Beachboys FA Trophy Final squad when they played Harrogate Town at Wembley in May 2021. He has become an established member of Concord’s National South squad, and has made seven appearances this term. In his second spell at the club on a dual-registration agreement with Concord, Alex spent the first half of the 2021-22 season with the Rocks on a similar arrangement, and scored eleven times for us before being recalled by the Beachboys last February. He re-joined us in January. Alex has also had a couple of dual-reg spells with fellow Isthmian North side Great Wakering Rovers.

MACK VINCENT - FORWARD

Talented young forward,Mack is a member of the Rocks under eighteen Easter Junior Alliance side, where he scores plenty. He impressed when training and playing with the senior side pre-season, and looks to have a bright future in the game.

Saturday 12th November

Rookery Hill

Attendance: 277

Pitching In Isthmian League North

A sensational first half performance from Maldon & Tiptree demolished East Thurrock in an away day to remember for the Jammers.

Maldon started brightly and were rewarded after 5 minutes when left back, Kacy Parish played a ball inside to skipper, Laste Dombaxe who sent the onrushing East Thurrock player for a pie and chips, before taking a touch and unleashing a piledriver from 25 yards out into the top right corner which left the keeper with no chance.

It was just reward for Laste, whose performances have coincided with our upturn in fortunes of late.

The hosts settled and nearly broke on the 11th minute through former Jammer, Brian Moses. He was stopped by a retreating Lance Akins who conceded a free kick which came to nothing and was booked for his troubles.

It proved to be a turning point, as less than a minute later, we doubled our lead thanks to Roman Campbell’s first goal in a Jammers shirt. The play again started from the left hand side of the pitch, this time through a sensational switch of play from Joe Turpin. His long, cross field ball found a marauding Benny Bioletti who played a onetwo with the impressive Kamani

McFarlane. Benny’s cross into the box found Campbell just on the edge of the 6 yard box. Roman quickly adjusted his feet to place his shot low into Rocks goalkeeper Montel Joseph’s left corner.

Not happy with 2, we continued to press and after just 15 minutes, it was 3! A long throw from Lance was punched clear by Joseph, but only as far as Sam Coombes on the edge of the box who hit a diamond cutter of a shot first time which whistled through a crowd of bodies into the net. It was Coombsey’s first goal for the club- and what a way to break the duck- definitely something to tell the grandkids about!

Maldon looked like scoring every

time they went forward and continued to cause East Thurrock’s defence all manner of problems. Kempy had a shot blocked for a corner after a flick on from Roman, who himself had one cleared off the line from another corner. Add a mercurial Harvey Sayer into the equation who was torturing his full back, and it could’ve been 5 or 6 before we’d even reached 30mins!

It wasn’t just going forward

Maldon were impressive though, defensively we nullified any threat East Thurrock managed to pose, Lance and Turps have formed a formidable tag team of late and with Cafu and Roberto Carlos -sorry, Benny and Kacy at full back all marshalled by reigning League Goalkeeper of the Year, Tommy

Dixon-Hodge, and the Jammers have a great platform to build on at the back.

Just before half time, the game was put to bed. Campbell won yet another flick on, the goalkeeper seemed to have things under control until he collided with his defender. The ball broke loose and Kempy’s continued hard work was rewarded as he closed down Thurrock defender Ben Steward’s attempted clearance to roll the ball into an empty net.

Four-nil at half time and in truth, it flattered East Thurrock.

We picked up in the 2nd half where we left off in the 1st, and 2 minutes after the restart, Kempy nearly made it 5. Cutting in from the left hand side, he got a powerful shot away on his right foot that forced the goalkeeper into a smart save with his foot. All the joy was coming down the Thurrock left hand side and a couple of minutes later, Sayer flashed a cross across the box that just needed a touch from an attacker, but luck was on the

hosts’ side this time as it went out for a goal kick.

Thurrock started to work their way back into the game, Moses had a header cleared off the line by Kacy and not wanting to feel left out of the heroics, Tommy made an astonishing stop from a point blank range header. Diving away to his left, he threw a hand high above his to beat the ball away. It fell to a Thurrock man who headed high and wide. A combination of great goalkeeping and poor finishing ensuring the Jammers clean sheet remained intact.

That 10 minute spell for the home side was as good as it got and we soon regained the initiative. Harvey again left the Rocks defence for dead before flashing a shot just wide of the goal. If Thurrock thought they could rest with Campbell being withdrawn for Ronnie Bates, they were soon given a rude awakening. Pressing the Thurrock defence high up the pitch, he won the ball back, before squaring it to Kempy. His shot was blocked and fell to Laste who saw his effort go just the wrong the side of the post.

Still the Maldon chances came, Ronnie was looking to pick up his goal scoring from Tuesday night against Braintree. In quick succession, Harvey and Kempy had shots blocked before a diving header from Ronnie went wide.

Sayer’s toil and trickery proved to be a worry for Thurrock until the last whistle. With 10 minutes left to play, he again beat the defence, but put his effort wide in what proved to be the last meaningful chance either side had as Maldon saw the game out.

There was still time, however, for Coombsey to bask in the glory of a wonder goal and great all round performance as he was replaced by Evan Collard with 7 minutes left.

The full time whistle bought the curtain down on a sensational afternoon for the Jammers and yet another large travelling contingent of fans gave the boys the rapturous reception they deserved.

Words: Lee Witney

CLUB NEWS

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

HELP MAKE MALDON & TIPTREE FC THE BEST IT CAN BE.

Maldon & Tiptree FC is about more than just the players on the pitch. Like all non-league Clubs, we require volunteers to undertake a variety of roles and we are currently looking to add to our existing amazing group on matchdays.

The roles include:

• Car park attendant prior to match time.

• Stewarding.

• Hospitality.

By volunteering, not only are you helping others and enabling football to operate, you will benefit from the following:

• Make new friendships.

• Be valued as part of a team. Increase your confidence and self-esteem.

• Experience engaging with other groups and individuals.

No matter how much time you can spare, there are opportunities to lend a hand and help make Maldon & Tiptree FC the best it can be.

To find out more information, please contact Liz on 07931 68687

SPONSOR AN AVAILABLE JAMMER FROM £50 PER PLAYER OR COACHCONTACT LIZ WARNER ON 07931 686872.

FIXTURES & RESULTS

USED SUBS

Forrest Kemp Coombes Ihionvien McFarlane Sayer McClenaghan, Logan, Parish

Forrest Logan McClenaghan Ihionvien McFarlane Sayer Giddings, Kemp, Parish

Stokes Logan Parish Ihionvien McFarlane Sayer Forrest, Abrahams

Stokes Kemp McClenaghan Ihionvien McFarlane Sayer Bessadi, Parish, Logan

Stokes Renee McClenaghan Ihionvien Logan Sayer McFarlane, Kemp, Bessadi

Stokes Kemp McClenaghan Bessadi McFarlane2 Sayer Ihionvien, Logan , Forrest

Forrest Kemp Coombes Ihionvien Logan Sayer McFarlane, Dombaxe, Awotwi

Forrest Kemp Parish Ihionvien McFarlane Sayer Giddings, Coombes

Forrest Kemp Parish Ihionvien McFarlane Sayer Coombes, Giddings, Bates

Akins Kemp Giddings Ihionvien Parish Sayer McFarlane, Bates, Forrest

Akins Kemp Giddings Ihionvien Parish Sayer Brown, Forrest , McFarlane

Turpin Bioletti Giddings Ihionvien Parish Kemp Coombes, Bates

Turpin Sayer Coombes Ihionvien Giddings Kemp McClenaghan, Bates, Brown

Turpin Sayer McClenaghan Ihionvien Giddings Kemp Coombes, Bates, Awotwi

Turpin Coombes McClenaghan Campbell Sayer Kemp McFarlane, Giddings

Turpin

Turpin

Turpin

ISTHMIAN LEAGUE

FIXTURES

FRIDAY 13TH JANUARY

East Thurrock United 0-4 Hashtag United

SATURDAY 14TH JANUARY

Coggeshall Town 0-0 Heybridge Swifts

Maldon & Tiptree 0-2 Grays Athletic

Stowmarket Town 0-3 Lowestoft Town Witham Town 0-2 AFC Sudbury

SATURDAY 21ST JANUARY

AFC Sudbury 2-1 Wroxham

Hashtag United 4-0 Hullbridge Sports

Heybridge Swifts 0-1 Grays Athletic New Salamis 1-1 Tilbury

SATURDAY 28TH JANUARY

Brentwood Town v Stowmarket Town

Coggeshall Town v Basildon United Grays Athletic v AFC Sudbury

Great Wakering Rovers v Gorleston

Hullbridge Sports v Heybridge Swifts

Lowestoft Town v New Salamis

Maldon & Tiptree v East Thurrock United

Tilbury v Felixstowe & Walton United Witham Town v Bury Town

Wroxham v Hashtag United

TUESDAY 31ST JANUARY

Basildon United v Grays Athletic

Felixstowe & Walton United v Bury Town

Gorleston v Witham Town

Great Wakering Rovers v Tilbury

Hullbridge Sports v Brentwood Town

Maldon & Tiptree v Wroxham

SATURDAY 4TH FEBRUARY

AFC Sudbury v Lowestoft Town

Basildon United v Witham Town

Bury Town v Great Wakering Rovers

East Thurrock United v Coggeshall Town

Felixstowe & Walton United v Hullbridge Sports

Gorleston v Brentwood Town

Hashtag United v Grays Athletic

Heybridge Swifts v Wroxham

New Salamis v Maldon & Tiptree

Stowmarket Town v Tilbury

The Isthmian Football League strongly supports the FA statement that there should be a zero tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination. Accordingly any form of discriminatory abuse whether it by reason of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, sex and sexual orientation or any other form of abuse will be reported to The Football Association for action by that Association.” (The FA 0800 085 0508 / Kick it Out 020 7253 0162). The Isthmian League and all Member Clubs in the League are committed to promoting equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and providing access and opportunities for all members of the community.”

MALDON & TIPTREE EAST THURROCK UNITED

MANAGER: Peter Taylor

Tommy DIXON-HODGE

Benny BIOLETTI

Peter MOKWENYE

Michael FINNERAN

Kojo AWOTWI

Danny NESBITT

Toib ADEYEMI

Joe TURPIN

Kacy PARISH

Sam COOMBES

Scott KEMP

Harry PHILLIPS

Terrell EGBRI

Callum BOYLAN

Lesley DURU

Ronnie BATES

Jake GIDDINGS

Bradley McCLENAGHAN

Billy WILLIS

George SMITH

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE: Joseph Turnpenny

ASSISTANT: Lee Markwick

ASSISTANT: Benjamin Horne

MANAGER: Marc Harrison

Montel JOSEPH

Ryan BOSWELL

Harry CRITCHLEY

Ben STEWARD

Tom BARTON

Jack HAYES

Jack MCQUEEN

Ben WYSS

Johnny ASHMAN

Sam CARTER

Isaac SKUBICH

Harry HOPE

Oli SPOONER

Brian MOSES

Alex HERNANDEZ

Jordan PEART

Mack VINCENT

Frankey WILLIAMS

NEXT HERE

WROXHAM

Tuesday 31st January | KO: 7:45pm

Pitching In Isthmian League North