Bury Town were given a stern defensive test as high flying Maldon & Tiptree visited The Denny Bros Stadium. A test in which for the most part they executed very well. With Maldon having most of the possession first half Bury's back line were exceptional. On 5 minutes Tommy Smith got into the box and tried to find Ollie Hughes with a low pass but the Maldon defence managed to clear the ball. Bury were awarded a free kick on 7 minutes which Cemal Ramadan put over the wall but a good save from Ben McNamara put the ball out for a corner.
Maldon went close on 10 minutes with a good build up and Kojo Awotwi hitting the post. On 14 minutes Stephane Ngamvoulou got down the wing for Maldon a whipped in a cross for Charlee Hughes but a superb save from Ben Mayhew denied Hughes. Another chance was squandered by Maldon on 17 minutes with Martyn Stokes heading over the bar from close range from a corner.
Ross Crane battled through the midfield on 26 minutes for Bury but put his shot high over the bar. Maldon had another chance on 38 minutes after a bad challenge from Lance Akins on Ross Crane left him on the floor injured but Maldon played on regardless and went on to hit the post.

Half Time: Bury Town 0 Maldon & Tiptree 0

After the break the second half was much more of an even contest with Bury taking the game to Maldon & Tiptree. On 52 minutes Jake Cass got on the end of a good through ball and was clean through on the Bury goal but a superb tackle from behind from Tommy Smith cleared the ball. On 55 minutes Ollie Hughes broke into the box for Bury but a last second tackle from Lance Akins again cleared the ball.
On 58 minutes Jake Cass was through on goal again for Maldon but again he missed the target and shot wide. Bury went close on 66 minutes from a corner which was headed just over the bar by Joe White.
The Blues took the lead from the spot on 70 minutes after a great run in to the box by Ollie Hughes and after Lance Atkins had pulled him back twice and put in a clumsy challenge for good measure Atikins was shown a straight red card. Cemal Ramadan stepped up and scored from the spot.
The lead did not last long however as on 75 minutes Maldon were level. A ball into the box was bundled over the line by Martyn Stokes. Three minutes later Maldon were in front. Bury were guilty of giving the ball away three times before Jerome Slew put Maldon in front. A sour note at the end of the game saw Emmanuel Machaya almost knocked unconscious by Maldon 'keeper Ben McNamara after going for the ball from a corner but thankfully Machaya managed to get to his feet after a lengthy stoppage but had to go off. A lucky escape for Maldon as they took the win, but it was a solid performance from Bury who more than held their own against the table toppers.

Full Time: Bury Town 1 Maldon & Tiptree 2