Report
Stow moved up to sixth in the table thanks to a clinical win over Maldon & Tiptree at Wadham Lodge.
Stow had scored seven in their past two games, but started slowly and were punished after 11 minutes when Kai Brown was able to bring the ball down in the Stow box and rifle past Finn Rushton.
But the visitors’ lead didn’t last long, as Louie Johnson leveled seven minutes later. Maldon failed to clear a Bilal Sayoud free kick, with the ball eventually falling to Johnson who lashed the ball home between the legs of keeper Dominic Alexandru. It was a sign the game was turning in Stow’s favour, as Tayo Oyebola had hit the outside of the post after a brilliant bit of skill minutes before.
On 20 minutes, Harvey Livings-Corbin smashed in a goal of the season contender from the edge of the box, only to see his goal chalked off due to foul in the build-up.
Stow continued to press as the half wore on, but couldn’t find a way through a stubborn Maldon defence. The visitors’ midfield was still looking dangerous though, and Rushton was forced into a couple of smart near-post saves in the half.
If Stow were lethargic at the start of the first half, the second period was the complete opposite. Three minutes in, Callum Ibe picked up a loose ball in midfield, and lofted a ball over the top for Bilal Sayoud to latch onto. Stow’s top scorer cut inside and drove a low effort which Alexandru should have probably saved, but the ball crept under him and in.
The game was becoming an end-to-end affair, but Stow secured the points on 73 minutes. A superb team goal where Stow recycled the ball time and time again with some intricate passing ended with a deep cross to Rasheed Salau heading narrowly wide. However, Johnson picked up the loose ball, took a touch and slotted through Alexandru’s legs for his eighth of the season.
WIth the job seemingly done, Maldon found a bit of a spark and hit the bar through Tollervey, and forced Rushton into a fine acrobatic save.
Sow are now just two points off the play-offs, but have played a game more than fifth-placed Brightlingsea Regent. Things are certainly tight, with two points separating Regent, Stow, Witham Town and Tilbury. Stow host Witham Town this Saturday in what promises to be a huge game.