The CLEMS turned in possibly their best team performance of the season so far but it was not enough to prevent defeat against a much changed Maldon & Tiptree Athletic side.
Although, arriving with only 11 fit players there was another re-shuffle in personnel with top goal scorer John Rush deputising in goal, who incidentally had a very good game and John Wright, who after his appalling performance last week at left back, was moved across to fill in at right back and given a chance to redeem himself. There was a welcome return to the side for winger JP and the gaffer, Adam Dale, was starting in what many people believe to be his best position, up front.
As with many games this season the CLEMS started slowly and found themselves a goal down after just 10 minutes. Realising that they were in a match where they had to compete for every ball and earn the right to play the CLEMS sprung into life and settled into the game well playing some neat stuff and getting stuck into the opposition who had called in their big guns for the match. The previous match between the two sides ended in a 5-1 win in favour of the CLEMS but for this fixture Maldon & Tiptree had fielded a different side that appeared to have up to 8 or 9 different players.
The CLEMS main outlet in a tight first half was winger JP who is a real gem to have in the side as his attitude is superb and his pace is scary, although he is still not quicker than veteran midfielder Paul Ansell. JP's link up play with Aaron Gothard was particularly impressive, their tight one-twos and crossing ability caused the opposition full back lots of problems the entire match.
The CLEMS were looking reassured in defence with Andy Stammers and Tom Wright coping well with lanky M&T forward, Jay Dale was in at left and was looking in good form, dominating the opposition winger both on the deck and in the air and John Wright was holding his own at right back. The midfield trio of Ansell, Gothard and Brown were working hard together and trying to impose their own passing game on the opposition.
With 5 minutes of the first half remaining the CLEMS hit the self destruct button and conceded a calamitous second goal. John Wright, thinking he has the same size shoulders as Ryan Ince, tried to hold off the M&T winger, held onto the ball for too long and narrowed the angle to make any attempt at a forward pass. With nowhere to go but back to his own goal keeper Wright played a short back pass to Rush who after initially getting to the ball ahead of the M&T forward took a swipe at the ball and totally missed, still being ahead of the M&T forward in a race back to his goal Rush began to lose his footing, proceeded to fall forward onto the ball and head it into his own goal meaning the CLEMS went in 2-0 down at the break.
In previous weeks the CLEMS have struggled for motivation and bad attitude of certain players has really turned what has so far been an enjoyable season into a season that many just want to finish but this week the team was united and every player was playing with pride and for their team mates. Many agreed that there was still a strong chance of turning things around and getting themselves back in the game. This opportunity came sooner than they expected, with 5 minutes of the second half gone JP was played in neatly behind the M&T defence and as he cut inside on his favoured right foot and was about to shoot a covering M&T defender cleared him out and did not win the ball. With the M&T defender being the last man and denying a clear goal scoring opportunity the CLEMS believed that not only had they won themselves a penalty but M&T would be down to ten men but the only person on the pitch, the referee, thought differently. He managed to get it right to award the penalty but got it very wrong when he did not send off the M&T defender.
Up step Ansell, with the opportunity to get his side back in the game from twelve yards and having not missed a penalty this season or last, looked confident that he would convert. He was sent crashing back down to earth with a thud when the M&T goalkeeper, getting down smartly to his left side, saved well.
This did not appear to phase the CLEMS as they continued to press the opposition forcing them further and further back into their own half. With Adam Dale leading the line like a mad man possessed and Aaron Gothard continually taking on several M&T players with his mazy runs M&T looked unable to cope with the CLEMS intensity and desire to win the match. The CLEMS created several brilliant openings but were just unable to make any of them count. JP struck the M&T cross bar, Ansell had a header cleared off the line and Ryan Ince also missed a glorious header from six yards out.
With the CLEMS pushing hard to find the goals their play deserved they were dealt two sucker blows in the final ten minutes, with many players pushed high up the field M&T scored two goals on the counter attack and ending up winning 4-0, a very flattering score line for them.
Although, losing 4-0 was very harsh on the CLEMS Adam Dale can be proud of his players performances and attitudes. If they continue in the same way for the remainder of the season then they will have a real chance of walking away as champions and hopefully winning the only cup they are left to play for.
