It wasn’t the best game seen at Sporting Club Thamesmead this season, but Thamesmead boss Terry Spillane wasn’t complaining as his new charges put one over his old club as George Benner’s second half deflected effort summed up a disappointing game.
After a poor first half during which Maldon had a goal rightly whipped out for a foul, the second had to get better and thankfully it improved with the home side going close early on.
Kyle Asanti’s driven cross flew across the face of the Maldon goal in the first attack of the second half. Michael Uwezu then had a shot blocked and Jack Hopkins sent a header straight at keeper Palmer, before the home side took the lead just past the hour when George Benner fired through the crowd after a free kick wasn’t dealt with.
Maldon tried to get back in the game but were thwarted by the home defence for whom George Benner and Adetayo Osifuwa were outstanding. There were occasions when play threatened to spill over – not helped by some inconsistencies from referee Scott – but thankfully the game never quite got their although one or two of the visitors were somewhat “liberal” at time with the use of the elbow!
The home side could have doubled the advantage in stoppage time Asanti could have doubled the lead but was fractionally too high with his lob after outpacing Ruddock Yala, leaving the defender on his back side and red faced, but in the end it didn’t matter as the home side got the points that they deserved, leaving Spillane to focus his attentions to the Easter Monday trip to Aveley.
THAMESMEAD TOWN – Rob Budd, Adetayo Osituwa, Ashley Probets, Jack Hopkins, George Benner,, Richard Butler, MIchael Spencer (Ben Traore 78), Derek Duncan, Kyle Asanti, Michael Uwezu (Billy McGarrigle 80), Jay Porter
Sub – Vicente Mananer
MALDON & TIPTREE- Harry Palmer, Matt Pooley, Mitch Hunter, Ruddock Yala, Gavin Greenfield, Phil Anderson, Theo Jones (Jonathen Nzwewgo 84), Matt Gulfer, Sos Yao, Nathan Korangten (Tunde Adewunni 74), Alex Anderson (Alberto Pinto 64)
Subs – Mason Bloomfield and Danny Hayes
Referee – Mr Shaun Scott
Assistants – Mr Craig Simpson and Mr Andrew Senior