Billed as a potential crackerjack of a match I made my way over to Field Mill for a top of the table clash between Aveley and Maldon. Sadly most of the first half failed to live up to this as both teams struggled to create many chances in a even and cagey affair. However on 41 minutes the game sprung into life as Maldon took the lead when a free kick was swung over by McLeod onto the head of centre back Golby who planted his header in off the underside of the bar. Right on half time it was 2-0 to the away side as forward Cleaver raced onto a through ball and lofted delicately over the keeper to send the men from North Essex into the break in a commanding position. The second half was only ten minutes old when Aveley got back into the game as Hopkins brought the ball inside and struck a shot from just outside the box which bounced in front of Maldon keeper Wray and over his outstretched arm into the net for 2-1. Both teams then went on the attack as the game was now living up to its pre match billing. Tackles were flying in and it was end to end stuff. Then on 74 minutes Aveley won a penalty when Junior Appiah was upended in the box by Wray even though the forward was going away from goal. Aveley substitute Oakley stepped up to take the spot kick but it was saved by Wray to his right to deny the home side the equaliser. However two minutes later it was 2-2. A free kick was swung over and Aveley defender Leader powered home a header past Wray into the corner. It was anyones game now and you couldn't really pick a winner as the game entered the final ten minutes. Then on 84 minutes a moment of controversy. A ball through the Aveley back line was received by Cleaver who looked offside (although I have no idea if he was or not as I didn't see where he was when the ball was played) but he was allowed to carry on and he composed himself and slotted the ball under the keeper and in for 3-2. The home side were livid as they were sure it was offside. More chances came near the end. First Cleaver almost wrapped up the game for Maldon but saw his effort from a few yards out come back off the crossbar then up the other end keeper Wray failed to deal with a ball into the box and it eventually fell to Oakley but he could only hook the ball wide. So a cracking second half came to an end and Maldon had scored a big three points against one of their rivals up the top of the table. It has to be said that there was nothing between the sides and either side could of won this game.
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