BLUES TROPHY EXIT

Any hopes Blues may have had of avenging their earlier defeat to Maldon & Tiptree in the FA Cup were extinguished in a display that fell below the standard they have set themselves this season. Maldon make no mistake are a good side, but they were made to look that much better by Blues insipid approach to the game. Yes, they fell foul to a bizarre penalty awarded by an official who did them no favours throughout the 90 minutes and should have been awarded a penalty for a clear foul in the second half, only to see Pat Ahern penalised for a similar offence seconds later leading to his dismissal after an earlier yellow card, but despite that they were never at the races .

Blues injury jinx struck again inside the first six minutes when Nathan Fox pulled his hamstring just a week after coming back from a long lay off - he was replaced by Macauley Joynes himself coming back from injury.

Blues came under pressure right from the kick off pinned back by their hosts who won a succession of corners - unlike the previous meeting where Blues pressed high, this time they sat deeper inviting pressure on their goal.

On 16 minutes the hosts took the lead in controversial manner. Danny Sambridge dived onto a loose ball clearly with two hands on il - Adam Vyse challenged fell to the ground and following numerous shouts from the Jammers after a few seconds the referee inexplicably pointed to the spot - Vyse converting the kick.

Clearly upset by the decision Blues lost focus coming increasingly under pressure, the hosts bossed a midfield where they were allowed too much time and space working the flanks using the speed and trickery of Andre Hasanally and Scott Kemp.

Belatedly Blues did mange to create their own chances where new signing Anointed Chukwu featured, holding the ball up and bringing supporting players into the game. He did well to chase down what looked a lost cause squaring the ball to Hahn who turned quickly shooting wide.

It was still the Jammers who threatened - Sam Cornish came close and a Vyse glancing header flashed inches wide of the upright.

Although under pressure at one down Blues were still in the game, but that all changed in a disastrous two minute spell just before the break. A Blues attack broke down the ball was fed to Aaron William - Bushell darting forward unchallenged he unleashed a thirty yard screamer past the diving Sambridge. Just a minute later the game was all but over when Hasanally stole behind the Blues back line drawing Sambridge and slotting home.

HT 0-3

With the game now all but lost Blues were now playing for pride in the second period and to their credit they started on the front foot but the Jammers still created two chances early on with Kemp again looking lively.

Joe Agunbiade on for Ryan Sammons after the break made an impact, unfortunately his final ball lacked accuracy but at least he was giving the Jammers defence some anxious moments.

The hosts with the three goal advantage seemed happy to hold on to what they had, but still looked dangerous in and around the box where Vyse again came close flashing a header just wide of a static Blues back line.

Throughout Blues dead ball delivery and general passing lacked accuracy and purpose - allowing Maldon to pick up the loose ball with ease, they looked increasingly off the pace - Hahn worked tirelessly but lacked the support in midfield to make it an even contest - Chukwu on his debut was making a nuisance of himself up front and was subject to some robust arial challenges which frustratingly went unpunished.

The hosts continued to threaten coming close on a number of occasions and in the 82nd minute Hamza Kaid made it four - Hasanally cut in from the flank fed Kaid who converted past the advancing Sambridge.

shortly after Blues had what looked a penalty turned down and immediately after Ahern received his marching orders .

A consolation goal on the stroke of full time courtesy of Hahn was of little consequence and was met with ironic cheers from Blues fans who had seen their team bow out meekly failing to compete around the park.

Sambridge, Sammons (Ogunbiade 45), Fox (Joynes 6),Miller, McQueen, Ahern, Levett, Omolabi, Chukwu, Paxman(Price-Placid 77), Hahn
Subs not used:Clark,Dark, Moore