Great Wakering 1-2 Maldon & Tiptree

From Burroughs Park

GREAT Wakering Rovers conceded their second injury time goal in the space of five days to lose against northern rivals Maldon & Tiptree.

Dan Trenkel’s side dominated the first half and deservedly took the lead when Jay Nash headed the hosts in front but the visitors fought back and scored from the penalty spot seconds into the second half. Despite, coming under great pressure for the rest of the half Rovers looked set to grind out the draw until Leon McKenzie scored in the dying seconds.

The first chance didn’t come until 15 minutes, when a lively burst down the left from Bill Johnson saw him pull back to Jay Nash in the box. However, his goalbound shot was brilliantly blocked by the sliding Alderberto Pinto, formerly of Wakering.

Maldon’s first chance came when Mtyana Sypho burst through after a neat one-two but he sliced his effort high and wide of the near post.

Despite that it was Rovers that looked the most dangerous. And they should have led after a moment of inspiration from James Pugsley. He exchanged passes with Jay Nash but lashed his shot off the inside of both posts before being cleared from the goal line. The resulting corner saw Nick Skelton head inches wide.

But the hosts were rewarded ten minutes before the break. Some tenacious work from Billy Radley won a freekick on the right and Dave Collins’ superb delivery was met by the head of Nash, giving Rovers the lead.

It should have been two five minutes before the break but Skelton headed over when unmarked from five yards – Collins again the architect – to leave manager Dan Trenkel with his head in his hands.

The visitors had the ball in the net on the stroke of half-time, but Joe Pearman was ruled offside when he put the ball past Seal.

However, it was 1-1 seconds after the break. Rovers failed to clear and the ball bounced off the arm of skipper Lewis Sparrow, the referee pointing to the spot. Jack Stevenson converted.

Former East Thurrock United man Leon McKenzie had a goal disallowed soon after and Maldon looked the more likely to score as the half progressed. Mitch Hunter headed wide when well placed and it seemed as though the home side would get their first point of the campaign but McKenzie drilled home after a swift Maldon counter –attack to send the visitors home with all three points.

In the Conference South Concord Rangers went down 3-1 to Hayes & Yeading, two first half strikes and a late third condemning them to their second defeat in five days. Danny Glozier scored a late consolation.

In the Ryman Premier, Billericay Town put their midweek woes behind them to secure an impressive 2-0 away win at Lewes - Ricky Sappleton and Callum Dunne scoring the goal in the first half.

Canvey Island were the victors at Peacehaven & Telscombe – an early second half strike from Jay Curran enough to see them past the newly promoted side.

East Thurrock United played out a 0-0 draw at home to Wingate & Finchley, to secure their third clean sheet in a row.

Great Wakering Rovers: Seal, Hepburn, Kent, Collins, Sparrow, Skelton, Pugsley, Radley (Jacobs), Johnson (Baldwin), Nash, Worrell Maldon & Tiptree: Giddens, Pinto, Spillane, Johnson, Kersey (Hunter), Sypho, Stevenson, Dark, Eagle, McKenzie, Pearman