Soham were the stronger team for the first 15 minutes but were unable to create any clear cut chances apart from a Robinson free kick that was just missed by Matson as he ran in on goal.The visitors response on 13 and 18 minutes were free kicks from Collins, the first of which was hit well over the bar and the second resulted in a header over the bar by Flanagan. Play was becoming scrappy due in part to a very uneven playing surface and also both teams were not holding back with any tackles. After 32 minutes the latter was the cause of the visitors Abbot being sent off when he raised his hands after taking a heavy challenge. Play for the rest of the half deteriorated into a long ball, hit and hope game, with neither side able to get the ball down and play any football. Coleman and Simpson for the home side and I Cousins and Flanagan for the visitors were having strong games in the middle of their defences and neither attack seemed able to get anything going down the flanks with the result that there was little goal mouth action in this fairly miserable first half.
Half time Soham Town Rangers 0 Maldon and Tiptree 0
At the start of the second half Maldon and Tiptree bought on substitute Antoine for N Cousins and this made a considerable difference to the game and as the second half went on it was the visitors who carved out the better chances and looked likely to score the single goal that would probably win the game. Both sides were only able to create half chances during the first part of the second half when Carter for the home side and Pearman for the visitors did well to get into shooting positions but their finishes were weak. After 55 minutes Maldon and Tiptree made their best scoring opportunity of the match so far but home keeper Bircham did well to stop Yao's shot with his legs then Pearman hit the home bar from the rebound. After 64 minutes the visitors had an even better chance to score when Yao was bought down after going clear in the penalty area for a clear penalty. Yao picked himself up to take the penalty but keeper Bircham made a good save diving low to his left. Soham's sole positive response was a header over from Coleman and it was the visitors who created the better chances with the strong running of Yao and Antoine causing problems to the home defence. After a Pearman shot went just over, Yao then went clear but just over ran the ball before Antoine headed over from Milner's cross The visitors gained the reward that their second half performance deserved when, after 88 minutes, a fine free kick from Collins on the corner of the penalty area was headed in by Antoine.
This was very much a morale boosting performance after the recent disturbances at the club with the whole team giving 100%.
Full Time Soham Town Rangers 0 Maldon and Tiptree 1
Man of the Match: Bircham (Soham Town Rangers)
Attendance: 96
Soham Town Rangers Maldon and Tiptree
Bircham Stevens
McGeorge Coyne
Flanz Collins
Bromwich Abbott
Coleman Flanagan
Simpson I Cousins
Cotton Milner
Carter Berquez
Robinson Yao
Matson N Cousins
Cobb Pearman
Substitutes
Furnell Antoine
Liberatore Stevenson
Escorcio Scurrock
Harrison Wiffin
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