Maldon & Tiptree 3, Aveley 1

MILLERS gave Bet Victor Isthmian North leaders a tough test, but the Jammers showed why they are top of the table and unbeaten in the league this season by taking the points in Saturday's battle between the top two.

In a tense opening period both teams took some time to settle with the onus put on not conceding anything cheaply with the result that little goalmouth action ensured with a Charlee Hughes touch for the home side just going wide and the visitors' Alex Akrofi just failing to make contact with a fine cross from Jason Read when unmarked in front of goal.

The home side took a 23rd minute lead when Danny Collinge's fine ball forward gave Jorome Slew the chance to get into space just down the left channel and his powerful cross shot from just inside the penalty area flew into the far corner of the net.

Slew appeared to have increased the home side's lead when he met Kojo Awotwi's cross at the far post but the rippling of the net was as his shot hit the side netting rather than the back of the net.

Aveley, although getting a fair amount of the ball, failed to threaten the home goal as most attacks broke down before getting into the danger area with the strong home defence keeping the opponents at long range.

The half ended with Hanza Kaid getting away down the left but his cross shot flew just wide of the far post before right on half time only Hughes's desperate save with his boot prevented Kaid converting from a very narrow angle.

The first half had been so close that both teams would have had high hopes of winning the game but the Jammers' Slew showed his predatory skills in front of goal again after just 47 minutes when there seemed little danger as he collected a loose ball fully 25 metres out but he then proceeded to strike a great effort right into the top corner leaving David Hughes with no chance of making a save.

Lifted by this Maldon and Tiptree went looking for another goal to ensure the victory and Kaid's fine close control gave Slew a chance to free Collinge and his fierce shot was only just kept out by Hughes.

The visitors were not out of things and pulled a goal back after 53 minutes when a left wing corner was returned into the middle from where the home side were slow to clear the ball and Wyan Reid seized on the loose ball to send a fine shot from the penalty area edge just inside the post and into the net.

Encouraged by this breakthrough the visitors went looking for the equaliser and Jason Raad crashed a shot just wide of the Jammers' goal post before Jonathan Nzengo's fine run forward gave Alex Akrofi a shooting chance but his shot from wide on the left flew into the side netting.

As the game started to open up Kaid and Hughes combined to send Slew through on goal but Aveley keeper Hughes was just able to turn the forwards shot away with a great reaction save then Kaid headed just over from a right wing cross.

The visitors then created a good chance to level the scores up but after a free kick had become loose in the home goal area an Aveley forward just could not keep his close range shot down and the ball flew over the bar.

Aveley were made to pay for this miss after 82 minutes when Jammers debutant Ryan Charles, introduced from the bench earlier, found space at the near post to head in a right wing cross from close range.

Aveley's problems in front of goal were typified right up to the final whistle as Anthony Martin headed Reid's corner over when well placed.