BEATEN BUT NOT BOWED

Blues unbeaten start to the league season came to an end on Friday evening when Maldon & Tiptree staged a smash and grab win. But Blues will have felt aggrieved after controlling long periods of the game. They were denied what looked a clear penalty, and then a Joe Paxman effort which cannoned of the woodwork and over the line was ruled out by the referee who incensed players and fans alike with his inconsistent display. Grays played the more controlled football but were undone by two sucker punches on the break , Charlee Hughes helping himself to a brace. Blues did pull a goal back late in the game after sustained pressure on the home goal when Anointed Chukwu netted his fifth goal of the campaign. It was Jammers keeper Ben McNamara who was the busier of the two keepers especially in the second period pulling off a number of saves to keep his team in front . Maldon looked lively going forward on the break but Blues won the midfield battle despite losing Freddie Moncur after 15 minutes . It was manager Paul Joynes first game in charge and he would have seen enough to know his team on tonights performance are capable of challenging for honours this season.

Quick out of the box Blues fashioned an early chance on three minutes when a ball from Joe Paxman saw Moncur turn the ball agonisingly onto the crossbar, unfortunately he sustained an injury which forced him to leave the action later.

Blues still holding sway, Maldon countered with electric pace resulting in Hughes unmarked three yards out touching the ball past Danny Sambridge on six minutes.

Undeterred Blues continued to probe resulting in the first moment of controversy when Ryan Melaugh was clattered inside the area, it looked a clear penalty and left Melaugh prone in the box clearly injured but astonishingly the referee waived play on.

Jammers employing a counterattacking tactic came close on a couple of occasions but rarely was Sambridge called into action and the impressive Geoffrey Okonkwo's pace was responsible for snuffing out some ofthe danger.

Chukwu and former Blue Shomari Barnwell were enjoying a real battle , the Blues marksman came close with a flashing drive past the woodwork. Increasingly though the game was littered with free kicks courtesy of some robust challenges from the hosts.

The next significant and game changing moment came when Paxman volleyed onto the cross bar and down the ball ,falling over the line and again not for the first time the referee signalled play on .

HT 1-0

Blues were out early for the second half and Melaugh quickly tested McNamara from distance but again were caught on the counter. Losing the ball in midfield Jammers countered Bryan Ifenyi raced down the flank flashing a low cross eluding Okonkwo but finding Hughes who prodded home from close range. The same player was denied a third later but Okonkwo came to Blues rescue clearing of the line.

Once again Blues set about reducing the deficit putting pressure on the home defence, frustratingly the final ball was found wanting at times and for a period they lost their way allowing the Jammers to monopolise possession they came close but again not troubling Sambridge.

Navigating through the sticky patch Blues again wrestled control laying siege to the home goal, clearly rattled Maldon resorted to some agricultural challenges presenting Blues with numerous dead ball opportunities. Finally in the 74th minute the pressure told when they reduced the arrears. Paxman chased down a ball and from close to the bye line he lofted a teasing cross to the far post where Chukwu rose highest to nod the ball into the net..

It was now Blues in complete command , McNamara was called into action on numerous occasions but he was left flat footed when sub Callum Watts struck from the edge of the area , the ball rolling just wide of the upright. It was to be Blues last opportunity of the evening and despite time wasting from McNamara the final whistle came with little added time.

Blues deserved at least a draw for their efforts and can point to two calamitous decisions by the referee that contributed to their defeat. They matched and for long periods played the better football than their fancied opponents ,lets hope they can take this performance into next Wednesdays meeting at home to Romford.

Sambridge, Sammons , Joynes, Moncur (Wescott 15), Okonkwo, McQueen, Paxman ( Watts 83), Hahn, Chukwu, Knight, Melaaugh,(Ogunbiade 58)

Subs Not Used; Clark, Henry