Bury Town take a point against a buoyant Maldon & Tiptree
With the top of the league remaining tight and games running out every point could prove vital as Bury claimed another point at a much-improved Maldon & Tiptree. Bury Town had an early chance on 3 minutes when Ollie Canfer got into the box and his shot pulled a solid save from Elliot Justham. Maldon went on the attack on 5 minutes with Amine Sassi chasing a ball into the box but Charlie Beckwith was out quick to claim the ball. On 11 minutes Ed Upson put a good ball into the box for Max Maughn to make use of but the defence did a good job making the challenge and clearing the ball. A well built-up attack on 20 minutes from Bury saw Ethan Mayhew get a sight of goal and his shot from the edge of the box went just over the bar. On 22 minutes Max Maughn got into the box with Taylor Parr in support but the defence did well to get the ball clear. A Maldon attack on 28 minutes saw Mohammed Amir send a cross deep in the box but too close to the Bury keeper who got down quickly to collect the ball. On 34 minutes Mohammed Amir saw a chance to rifle a shot from distance for Maldon but straight at Charlie Beckwith. Then on 36 minutes Bury took the lead when Ryan Jolland’s shot from inside the box was deflected past the keeper. On 40 minutes Ed Upson sent a ball down the wing for Cemal Ramadan and he came inside but his shot went wide of the far post.
Half Time : Maldon & Tiptree 0 Bury Town 1
Second half the game remained tight as both sides looked to attack and defenced well. On 48 minutes Bury had a chance when Luke Brown hit a powerful strike to the near post which stung the hands of Elliot Justham as he palmed the ball just around the post and out for a corner. On 51 minutes Bury had another good chance when Max Maughn was clear and on his own but hit the outside of the post with his strike. Bury had another opportunity on 54 minutes when a quick attack found Cemal Ramadan on his own in the box but he stumbled at the vital moment and the chance was gone. On 56 minutes Maldon had a sustained attack which ended with Mohammed Amir’s soft shot going harmlessly through to Charlie Beckwith. Maldon got themselves level on 67 minutes when a handball in the box saw Amine Sassi neatly place his spot kick into the bottom corner. Max Maughn had to turn to his defensive best for Bury on 77 minutes when he cleared the ball off the goal line from a corner. A free kick for Bury on the edge of the box on 78 minutes saw Ed Upson test the keeper as Elliot Justham got a hand to the ball to send it just over the bar. The chances were there for Bury but they could not find another goal as the final whistle sounded and the points were shared. With Felixstowe & Walton Utd losing to Heybridge Swifts the point was enough to lift Bury back into second place. However, with Brentwood claiming another win away at Witham Town Brentwood Town now have a five-point lead at the top of the table with just four games to go.
Full Time: Maldon & Tiptree 1 Bury Town 1
The David Longman Man of the Match: Ed Upson
Match Rating: 3
Attendance: 591