Bury Town v Maldon & Tiptree 21.01.2025

Maldon + Tiptree frustrate hosts Bury Town in a 1-1 draw at the Getaway Cars Ram Meadow Stadium. 

The current second placed Pitching In Isthmian North Division Blues would've gone top with victory after leaders Felixstowe and Walton United lost at home to Grays Athletic, but instead Cole Skuse's side are win less in their last three matches - since the win over Felixstowe (report on my blog) two weeks prior. 

In truth, Maldon would've been worthy of all three points, after looking the more dangerous and creating numerous chances. 

Bury however had the better of the first chance opportunities, though it was an end to end encounter. 

Maldon though had the first major chance in the 3rd minute, as a left wing cross into the six yard box saw a header saved by the flying Charlie Beckwith - albeit offside anyway. 

Bury then created their first chance as Ryan Jolland whipped a left wing cross-shot that went agonisingly just over off the top off the crossbar inside five minutes. 

Jamie Mauge, a seventeen year old loanee from Ipswich Town, looked bright for Bury - latching onto a through-ball into space on the right-hand side of the box before seeing his low cross into the six yard box well held by the diving goalkeeper on 13 minutes. 

At the other end, Beckwith got down smartly at his near post to hold onto an awkward cross-shot two minutes later, while Max Maughn weaved into space at close range, on the right-hand side only to drag his tight angled shot wide. 

Luke Brown meanwhile saw a ferocious volley towards goal blocked, from the right-hand edge of the box on 26 minutes, with the resulting cross from the opposite side punched away by the keeper ahead of the lurking Brown. 

The hosts though did break the deadlock just after the half hour mark. An exquisite defence splitting pass from Max Maughn threaded Jamie Mauge through one on one before racing through, drawing the keeper out, to expertly find thd bottom far corner. 

Maldon however went close to an equaliser in the 40th minute as a clever through-ball released the visitors into acres of space to shoot but for a crucial deflection to turn it behind the bottom far corner. 

Both sides then had a shot on target as the half drew to a close, first Ethan Mayhew drove into space just outside the box, exploiting a clear look at goal to shoot but was comfortably held low by the keeper on 42 minutes. 

The Jammers on the other hand were denied by a brilliant save from Charlie Beckwith to quickly get across to gather a header back across goal after a left wing cross was met by a free towering header. 

MOTM Beckwith continued to preserves Bury's lead early after the restart, diving low to his right to hold onto a low shot across goal just 40 seconds after the break. 

The shot-stopper then flew up to beat behind a shot towards his near, top right-hand, corner on 47 minutes. 

The 'keeper though couldn't prevent Maldon from drawing back on level terms, arguably deservedly so from the resulting corner. The set-piece fell to Kai Redgrave in the centre to fire home into the bottom left-hand corner. 

Maldon then had the majority of the remaining major chances, though the action continued to be end to end. 

The Essex side could've taken the lead on 55 minutes but fired a half-volleyed shot over from in space inside the box, before lashing a shot - again from inside the Bury penalty area - just past the bottom far, left-hand, corner two minutes later. 

Charlie Beckwith again came to Bury's rescue in the 69th minute, flying across superbly to his top right-hand corner to beat an audaciosuly curled free-kick behind. 

Maldon almost took the lead on 77 minutes, after a great run saw a right wing low cross turned wide at point blank range. 

Bury substitute Ollie Canfer headed narrowly wide at close range from a right wing cross on 82 minutes, while fellow substitute Cemal Ramadan had Bury's only other notable second hald f chance a minute later. 

A brilliant ball over the top released the forward one on one with the keeper, down the left-hand side, but the on rushing stopper narrowed the angle down well to smother the attempted lobbed shot with his chest. 

Maldon then shot just wide from a tight angle after a left wing free-kick found a man at the far post on 86 minutes, while another incredible save from Beckwith salvaged a point for Bury in the second minute of stoppage time - smothering away a close range shot with the shot on the rebound deflected narrowly over. 

Skuse's side move a point behind Felixstowe on a frustrating night for the Blues. 

Bury Town:- 1 Charlie Beckwith, 2 Taylor Parr, 3 Joe White, 4 Ed Upson (HT' Williams), 5 Josh Curry (c), 6 Alfie Pinyoun (76' O'Malley), 7 Max Maughn, 8 Ryan Jolland (60' Davis), 17 Jamie Mauge (67' Ramadan), 10 Luke Brown (67' Canfer), 11 Ryan Jolland. Subs: 9 Cemal Ramadan, 12 Mikey Davis, 14 Dylan Williams, 15 Ollie Canfer, 16 Lewis O'Malley. 

Maldon + Tiptree:- 1 Dominic Alexandru, 4 Samuel Kuffour, 19 Darren Phillips (HT' Batlokwa), 6 Anthony Wordsworth, 11 Kai Redgrave, 18 Mohammed Amir, 17 Joseph Payman (81' Oluwatabi), 3 Louise Arrowsmith, 8 Lewis Watson, 10 Chris Millar, 15 Josh Lee (78' Brown). Subs: 13 Morgan Snow, 16 Samuel Oluwatabi, 7 Kai Brown, 14 Wedu Batlokwa. 

Booked Dylan Williams (84'). 

Goals: Jamie Mague (31'); Kai Redgrave (48')

Att: 422

Peterborough United v Walsall | 14.01.2025 | Weston Homes Stadium, London Road | Vertu EFL Trophy Last 16 |

Peterborough United advance to the Vertu Trophy Quarter Finals with a 4-2 home victory over Sky Bet League Two table toppers Walsall. 

Darren Ferguson's Posh went into the clash 19th in the Sky Bet League One table, but did hand a home debut to Man Of The Match Gustav Lindgren - which proved to be a masterstroke. 

The forward's two goals and link-up play with Malik Mothersille - who himself notched two goals and an assist - caused a constant threat to Mat Sadler side's backline, with the hosts going into the break fairly comfortably 3-1 up. 

Lindgren wasted little time before showing his new fan base what he's capable of, breaking the deadlock in a quick start just seven minutes into the contest. 

Chris Conn-Clarke smartly slotted the Swede driving down the left-hand side before wrapping a neat right footed strike past Sam Hornby into the bottom far corner, despite the keeper getting a hand to it. 

Jadel Katongo then looked to double his side's advantage in the eleventh minute, but after breaking through down the right wing the latter's shot was deflected behind for a corner. 

Posh however were awarded a penalty three minutes later as Emmanuel Fernandez was fouled after the ball had gone on the left-hand side. 

Malik Mothersille took on the responsibility and dispatched the spot-kick cooly into the bottom left-hand corner to hand Posh a 15th minute two goal advantage. 

At the other end though, Walsall began to grow into the game and drew a good save from the rather unbeatable Nicholas Bilokapic on 18 minutes. Charlie Larkin found space to shoot low across goal on the left-hand side - albeit the shot-stopper was equal to it, beating the ball away as far as Oisin McEntee whose reblund effort was skewed wide. 

Bilokapic then comfortably held onto a low shot at his bottom right-hand, near, corner on 24 minutes, which showcased the fine margins of football. 

While I noted the coincidence that Posh had scored from both of their shots on target, while Walsall had seen both of theirs saved, Sadler's side did half the deficit just prior to the half-hour mark. 

Albert Adomah utilised his experience, which includes over 700 appearances for EFL clubs - mostly in the Championship, to advance onto the left-hand byline before cutting the ball back on a plate for Danny Johnson to smash home first time into the top near corner. 

The home side though responded instantaneously, a long ball released Malik Mothersille breaking through down the left-hand side who cleverly teed up the arriving Gustav Lindgren to expertly find the roof of the net to restore Posh's two goal lead inside 31 minutes. 

As four additional minutes were announced, a tame Walsall low shot from in space was well held by Bilokapic before the visitors were denied by a superb catch from the home stopper as the clock crept slightly over the initial time added on. Evan Weir's right wing corner picked out Taylor Allen, although the latter's volley at goal was comfortably held onto by Bilokapic at his near post. 

Walsall though started the restart the brighter and created two big chances five minutes after the restart. 

Brandon Comley intelligently picked out substitute Jamie Jellos whose shot was skewed just wide of the top left-hand corner on 47 minutes. 

The visitors were then denied by the woodwork two minutes later, Weir's corner was met by the head of Rico Browne at the far post only for his effort to go just wide off the outside of the far post. 

At the other end, Posh had their first major chance since the break on 61 minutes as Chris Conn-Clarke was slipped into space down the right-hand side of the penalty area before chipping an audacious shot that dipped just wide of the far post. 

Posh arguably should've extended their lead sixty seconds later, Mothersille was threaded through past the defence onto the left-hand side of the area before squaring the ball across to Lindgren who was denied a hat-trick with the goal virtually at his mercy by a brilliant defensive interception to clear ahead of the forward. 

Larkin and Johnson meanwhile linked up well for the away side on 66 minutes, though the midfielder's low dangerous ball fizzed across the box was met by Adomah whose shot was deflected just wide of the bottom right-hand corner. 

The resulting corner fell to Larkin to fire a ferocious low strike towards Bilokapic's bottom left-hand corner, with the 'keeper on hand to brilliantly parry the ball away to safety a minute later. 

That save proved pivotal as United ultimately secured a spot in the Quarter-Finals on 74 minutes. Substitute Brad Ihionvien picked up possession midway through the Sadler's half before beating two defenders as he broke free onto the left-hand byline, rounding the committed Hornby in the process before cutting the ball back to the arriving Malik Mothersille to net his second goal of the night - and tenth for the season - into the gaping net at point blank range. 

Another important save from Bilokapic preserved Posh's three goal lead with 10 minutes left on the clock, again denying Larkin from getting on the scoresheet. The latter's audacious effort towards the left-hand corner was diverted onto the crossbar by the fingertips of the flying 'keeper and behind for a corner. 

Substitute Ricky-Jade Jones at the other end was threaded racing down the right wing before seeing a low fierce shot held by Hornby, diving across. 

Bilokapic again thwarted Walsall from reducing the deficit on 87 minutes, Barrett's cross found Josh Gordon Close to goal, whose smart turn and shot towards goal was parried behind after some instinctive reactions by the 'keeper in the 87th minute. 

As six minutes of stoppage time were signalled, the latest brilliant save from Bilokapic saw the stopper fly high to his top left-hand corner and tip Josh Gordon's close range shot over for a corner in outrageous fashion. 

Larkin again tested the stopper after being fed free onto the left-hand side of the box by a sumptuous cross-field ball only for his powerful volley to be beaten away Bilokapic at his near post. 

Walsall did add a second goal, albeit a consolation in the 95th minute after a mistake from the otherwise impressive home keeper. 

After Adomah's tame close range header was routinely caught by Bilokapic at head height, following Josh Gordon's flick on from Weir's left wing cross, the stopper rolled the ball ready to launch into the night sky but saw Danny Johnson block his kick over him and into the empty net to round of an entertaining cup-tie. 

Peterborough United:- 1 Nicholas Bilokapic, 27 Jadel Katongo, 5 Oscar Wallin (64' Nevett), 37 Emmanuel Fernandez, 34 Harley Mills, 22 Hector Kyprianou (c) (68' De Havilland), 4 Archie Collins (75' O'Brien-Brady), 10 Abraham Odoh (64' Jones), 9 Chris Conn-Clarke, 7 Malik Mothersille, 19 Gustav Lindgren (64' Ihionvien). Subs: 13 Will Blackmore, 8 Ryan De Havilland, 15 George Nevett, 17 Ricky-Jade Jones, 33 James Dornelly, 35 Donay O'Brien-Brady, 48 Bradley Ihionvien. 

Walsall:- 12 Sam Hornby, 33 Rico Browne (72' J.Gordon), 26 David Okagbue, 5 Donervon Daniels (C) (24' Jellis), 21 Taylor Allen (63' L.Gordon), 30 Evan Weir, 4 Oisin McEntee (63' Barrett), 14 Brandon Comley, 8 Charlie Larkin, 37 Albert Adomah, 39 Danny Johnson (72' Matt). Subs: 1 Tommy Simkin, 2 Connor Barrett, 3 Liam Gordon, 9 Jamille Matt, 10 Josh Gordon, 16 Ronan Maher, 22 Jamie Jellis. 

Booked: Brandon Comley (82')

Goals: Gustav Lindgren (7', 31'), Malik Mothersille (15'pen, 74'); Danny Johnson (29'), Josh Gordon (90'+5').

Att 2,133. MOTM: Posh 19 Gustav Lindgren. 

Photos and report (c) Drew Kendall, 2025.

Ipswich Town V Bristol Rovers | 12.01.2025 | Emirates FA Cup 3RP | Portman Road |

Ipswich Town advance to the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup after a professional and comfortable 3-0 win over League One side Bristol Rovers at Portman Road. 

Kieran McKenna's side made ten changes from the 2-2 draw at Fulham, with captain for the day Luke Woolfenden - an Academy graduate - the only one to keep his place. 

Town dominated possession and the major chances, but Bristol Rovers battled hard and made it a good game to watch, albeit without testing Town keepers Aro Muric and substitute Cieran Slicker. 

Conor Townsend stood out for the Premier League side, and was involved in most of Town's good play, swinging in multiple dangerous corners as well as from open play. 

Eighteen minutes were on the clock when ex England International, and Manchester City loanee, Kalvin Phillips rifles home the opener after being urged to shoot by the crowd, before Jack Clarke slid home the second on 24 minutes. Jack Taylor rounded off the victory with a deserved goal on 37 minutes before Town continued to create chances after the break, but also retained possession well to see the time out. 

It was from a Townsend corner that Town created their first chance in the second minute, the defender's audacious right wing corner round Cameron Burgess peeling away free at the near post but looped his header just over. 

Jack Taylor was then found free inside the box, fourteen yards from goal, but sliced his half volleyed shot at goal, which was blocked on 15 minutes. 

Head tennis then ensued from another audacious Townsend right wing corner, with Burgess winning a couple of headers before it fell to Ali Al-Hamadi to strike towards goal, but his low tame volley from 4 yards out was held by the keeper. 

Great play from Town though saw the Blues break the deadlock in the 18th minute, Wes Burns - who was a handful throughout the first half, before being replaced by Ben Johnson at the break - saw a cross cleared as far as Jack Taylor, who neatly teed up Kalvin Phillips in space to shoot from 30 yards out, with the midfielder duly rifling home his first Town goal into the bottom near, right-hand, corner. 

Jack Taylor also impressed, notching a goal and assist, as well as creating the chance for Ipswich's second goal six minutes later. The midfielder, signed from Peterborough United in summer 2023, intelligently intercepted a loose pass out on the right wing, after pressure from Al-Hamadi, before feeding the striker in space to shoot inside the box, only to be blocked by a defender. Jack Clarke however was alert at the far post to slide in from 8 yards out and turn the loose ball into the gaping bottom far, right-hand, corner. 

While Town continued to create chances, they struck again from their next real major opportunity in clinical fashion on 37 minutes. A may run from Conor Townsend saw Al Hamadi slot Jack Taylor through past the defence, one on one, with the goalkeeper with plenty of time and space to cooly pick his spot, passing the ball into the bottom right-hand corner from around 12-yards out. 

Taylor was again slotted through into the box, this time the midfielder was driving through onto the right-hand side of the box before firing a ferocious strike from a narrow angle just wide of the top near corner from 8 yards out on 40 minutes. 

Rovers however saw a low shot denied by Aro Muric, diving low to his right-hand side three minutes later, as Town led 2-0 at the interval. 

Ipswich could've extended their lead early after the restart after Massimo Luongo was teed to shoot on the edge of the box before his powerful strike hit an arm six minutes after the break. Al Hamadi's penalty however was dragged well wide of the bottom left-hand corner soon after. 

Town opted for a triple switch on 73 minutes, bringing on Harry Clarke, Nathan Broadhead and George Hirst for debutant Ben Godfrey - who looked sharp despite a lack of game time at his parent club Atalanta, Taylor and Al-Hamadi. 

The changes did add a bit more spark back to the home side, who had since opted to retain possession rather than necessarily push for a fourth goal - unless an opening presented itself. 

Townsend was released racing down the left wing whose low ball on a plate found Broadhead lurking at point blank range, although the latter's shot was smothered away well by the visiting keeper in the 80th minute. 

Hirst almost marked his return from injury with a goal two minutes later, the striker was released one on one down the right hand side of the box whose chipped effort over the onrushing keeper was hacked off the line by a defender at the near post. 

Town travel to Frank Lampard's Championship side Coventry City in the fourth round, with home Premier League clashes with Brighton + Hove Albion and Manchester City to both follow within the next week. 

Ipswich Town: 1 Arijanet (Aro) Muric (81' Cieran Slicker), 44 Ben Godfrey (73' 2 H Clarke), 6 Luke Woolfenden (c), 15 Cameron Burgess, 22 Conor Townsend, 8 Kalvin Phillips, 25 Massimo Luongo, 7 Wes Burns (HT' Ben Johnson), 14 Jack Taylor (73' 33 Nathan Broadhead), 47 Jack Clarke, 16 Ali Al-Hamadi (73' 27 George Hirst). Unused: 22 Dara O'Shea, 5 Sam Morsy, 12 Jens Cajuste, 19 Liam Delap.

Bristol Rovers: 1 Josh Griffiths, 3 Lino Sousa, 4 Taylor Moore, 5 James Wilson, 7 Scott Sinclair (c), 8 Grant Ward, 10 Ruel Sotiriou (73' 19 Isaacs Hutchinson), 14 Romaine Sawyers (73' 29 Jamie Lindsay), 17 Connor Taylor (86' 2 Joel Senior), 18 Chris Martin (68' 24 Gatlin O’Donkor), 28 Shaq Forde (68' 11 Luke Thomas). Unused: 35 Matt Hall, 23 Luke McCormick, 27 Bryant Bilongo, 39 Quincy Dixon. 

Referee: Oliver Langford (West Midlands). 

My MOTM: Ipswich Town's 22 Conor Townsend. 

Goals Kalvin Phillips (18'), Jack Clarke (24'), Jack Taylor (37'), .

Att: 27,678 (541). 

Photos (c) Drew Kendall, 2025