HAILING MALDON AND PIPPED-TREE
MALDON & TIPTREE’S historic run was ended by FA Cup goal-king Padraig Among – but boss Wayne Brown couldn’t be prouder of his Jammers.
The Step 4 club were at this second round stage for the first time in their history having already beaten Leyton Orient.
In front of a record crowd and a large TV audience on Friday night, they showed exactly what they’re all about with a performance that probably deserved a replay.
But Newport County striker Amond had other ideas with a stoppage-time winner.
The former Grimsby Town striker loves this competition with his classy header meaning he has now scored in eight consecutive rounds of the competition. His goal streak is second only to Blackpool striker Stan Mortensen, whose record stands at 12 rounds on the trot.
It was a tough way to lose but Maldon boss Brown was full of praise for the way his team attacked their League Two opponents.
“It’s an emotional rollercoaster out there for the 90 minutes,” he said. “We could have been a couple down and maybe scored ourselves in the first half with a half chance.
“We got some information into the lads at half-time with a bit more belief, looking after the ball a bit more and using the width. I thought we were the better team second half. We went out and expressed ourselves, which I encourage the lads to do in every game, and we had some opportunities to score goals in the second half
“That’s the difference, fine margins the higher up you go. They put away their second chance of the second half and we had three or four we didn’t put away. But I’m chuffed to bits with the lads. How can you not be? I’m proud of each and every one of them.”
With a front three that has goals galore this season – including Jorome Slew’s 24 in all competitions – County knew they had to be on their guard.
Kojo Awotwi impressed from right back and, as they game wore on, midfielder Stephane Ngamvoulou had two chances repelled by keeper Nick Townsend.
County would have been ahead on 33 minutes had it not been for defender Lance Akins’ brilliant goalline block that kept out Tristan Abrahams from six yards. It was the sort of moment that has you wondering if it will be their night again and after the break they continued to play with positivity.
There was a scary moment just after the hour mark, however, after Jammers striker Charlee Hughes clashed heads with Newport’s Kyle Howkins as they challenged for a 50-50 ball. Howkins appeared to have a fit on the pitch and was taken to hospital with Exiles boss Michael Flynn confirming he was in a stable condition.
Ngamvoulou forced Townsend into a wonderful fingertip save with a long-range shot that swirled towards the top corner.
And the home crowd were ready to erupt again when the midfielder danced his way through the County defence but Townsend was equal to the shot. That’s when Amond popped up, directing a header from George Nurse’s cross past Ben McNamara’s outstretched hand and into the bottom corner.
“They didn’t really create too much but there were still scary moments,” Flynn said of Maldon. “I think they’re a credit to Non-League. They play very well, they play with no fear and they deserve a lot of credit. I thought they were exceptional.”
For Brown, it’s now about using this adventure as a platform for promotion out of BetVictor Isthmian North.
“That was always the plan for this season – to get promoted and that is still our number one aim,” Brown said. “We’ve been really positive in all the games we’ve played.
“It’s 75 goals we’ve scored in all competitions in 26 games. So the lads are in a good place. This will be a bit of a knock but we will lift them up and look to get back to winning ways on Wednesday.”