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530 brave souls made the trip to Sawston in what was horrible, cold and wintry conditions. Maldon & Tiptree went into the game after losing two matches on the bounce, 2-1 at home to Haringey was their last result, whereas for the Lilywhites, they came into the game having lost their ten-match unbeaten run against a tough Brightlingsea Regent side.
City started the match in 9th place and, after their fixture against Concord Rangers had been postponed the previous week, were looking to bounce back from the Brightlingsea result, the Jammers starting in 15th having won just 9 matches this season.
Referee Stuart Lathan had the honours of officiating the fixture and got the match underway.
The first few minutes were fairly nip-and-tuck, and it was City who made the first opportunity. Correy Davidson travelled into the penalty area and, as he went for goal, saw his effort strike Samuel Kuffour. The ball seemingly hit the Maldon & Tiptree captain on the arm, however, the referee was unmoved.
After eight minutes, the Lilywhites had another opportunity. Samrai Gebrai beat the Maldon left back and crossed invitingly towards George Smith, but the lone striker missed a sitter and the ball spun wide.
James Philp then couldn't keep out a back pass from going out for a corner. However, the resulting corner lead to a slick break for City with Jamie Dicks the centre-point. His effort was, unfortunately, unsuccessful.
Dicks then came to City's rescue when he thwarted Lorenzo Lewis down the right-hand side. Lewis unable to get past his marker.
It was Davidson who then received the ball on the right but, sadly, sent another shot wide.
A few minutes later, Smith had his next golden chance. Just after Thompson had taken a quick free-kick, which saw Smith's shot blocked, the no.9 then collected the ball after a long pass from downfield. Smith was left alone but he dragged his effort woefully wide.
With 21 minutes on the clock, Maldon made a rare foray into the City box. Mohammed Amir lobbed a cute pass up towards Lewis but his teammate failed to control the ball, leaving James Philp to pick up the pieces.
Twelve minutes later and City had their third gilt-edged chance. George Smith and Correy Davidson were heading to a cross that came from Alfie Mason on the left-hand side, the two team members both colliding which each other, meaning the chance disappeared as the ball went harmlessly wide.
Then Correy Davidson got through again after 34 minutes. The Jammers defence managing to scramble the ball away in the ensuing goal-mouth melee.
As the clock ticked down to half time, Maldon had their best chance yet. Kai Brown received the ball outside the penalty area and, with quick feet, danced through the defenders and created an excellent opportunity for himself, which he then preceded to thump over the crossbar.
Philp was then called into action as Maldon finished the half the stronger of the two teams. He saved from Michael Freiter, and then watched, with relief, Lewis Watson heading the second chance wide.
Jack Thompson had the first effort in the second half. The City no.10 wondering into the box 5 minutes after the restart, but he dragged his shot wide in the process.
After the Lilywhites dominated the early parts of the second half, it was Maldon who created the next goal-scoring chance. With a 4-on-2 break down the left, Mohammed Amir crossed the ball to Kai Brown, who stood inches from the goalmouth. Fortunately for the City faithful, Brown sliced his shot into the stanchion behind the goal.
A little lull in the match happened afterwards, the only highlight for City in that period was Giani Ashley going on a run into the opposition's penalty area but was stopped by Louie Arrowsmith.
With 25 minutes left, City had a corner on the left-hand side which was belted into the area, another scramble followed which eventually led to Jayden Randell firing an effort over the bar. The fans enjoyed seeing the overhead kick taking place, if only it had ended up in the back of the net.
Maldon then had their final clear-cut chance in the match. Kai Brown had broken free from the backline and then played a pass into Wedu Batlokwa. His shot hit the post and then fell into the grateful gloves of James Philp in the Lilywhites' goal.
After the match was briefly halted due to a slight knock to Jayden Gipson, Maldon broke through again as Kai Redgrave, who had replaced the former Celtic star striker Gary Hooper, was played through with Philp once again providing a solid brick wall, one that the goalkeeper was determined to keep intact.
Ashley then had his own effort flash wide of the upright. He gathered the ball from 25 yards out and struck the shot sweetly, but it curved away and fell wide from the goal.
George Smith very nearly became the City hero again as he beat the offside trap with injury time looming, his well taken shot was palmed away by Elliot Justham. The Maldon shot-stopper getting a hand to a chance that looked like it was heading wide. The corner was again scrambled away by the Jammers' defence.
Then, with very little time left, City had the chance to pinch all 3 points. George Smith and Jack Thompson both combined well, with Thompson playing in the no.9. Smith twisted and turned in the penalty area but was unable to get his shot away, the Maldon defence hacking the ball to safety.
Not long afterwards the final whistle blew, leaving City to rue their missed chances. The Lilywhites now having drawn 3 of their last 4 matches and are without a goal in 2 games, and are now 10 points adrift from the play-offs.
Connor Taylor-Creek
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