Real Maldon triumph to secure Cup

After the “fireworks” of the Division Two Cup Final, the Division Three final was a more sedate affair played in front of a crowd of around 80.
The Final pitched current League leaders Real Maldon F.C. against their local neighbours Mayland Village F.C.

Both teams found it difficult to adapt to a hard, bouncy and uneven playing surface which led to a scrappy game at times. Real Maldon dominated the first period of the game, but whilst they controlled possession, they failed to turn this into goals.

It took nearly 15 minutes before we saw the first real goal mouth incident when Real Maldon’s Jordan Pavett neatly flicked the ball into the path of the dangerous Sam Wakefield inside the Mayalnd penalty area his cross shot looked destined to go into the far corner, only for the ball to go narrowly wide.

Real Maldon’s Jack Schelvis then saw his shot go wide of the upright on 17 minutes.

Mayland Village were then awarded a free kick on the edge of the box after 20 minutes, but Rob Dowzalls effort sailed over the cross bar their first real effort on goal. 10 minutes later and the deadlock was finally broken much against the run of play. Dan Cooch broke clear down the right and his effort on goal somehow squeezed through the legs of Real Maldon’s Josh Wylie at the near post to give Mayland Village the lead.

Real Maldon hit back quickly to going a goal down and Wakefield saw his fierce shot blocked, Luke Raynor’s shot from outside of the box was well saved by Mayland keeper Brad Powell, and from the resultant corner Wakefield’s acrobatic overhead kick went wide.

Just before the half time interval Mayland went close to increasing their lead when Kevin Troy shot across the goal where the ball was deflected just wide of the far post by a stray Real Maldon boot.

Half Time Mayland Village 1 Real Maldon 0

At the start of the second half Real Maldon made a change bringing on Gareth Hutchings at full back this change seemed to inspire the Maldon side.

Within 10 minutes of the re-start they were back on level terms, a long punt up field from keeper Wylie was allowed to bounce inside the Mayland half and this allowed Jordan Pavett to break clear and tuck the ball past the advancing Powell to score.

Wakefield then saw his effort cannon against the Mayland post, moments later they added a crucial second. A free kick on the left was floated into the box Hutchings timed his run to perfection and planted his header into the back of the net.

Hutchings almost added his second and Real Maldon’s third when a 25 yard effort was superbly saved by Powell. The momentum was all with Real Maldon.

On 70 minutes Mayland had a muted shout for a penalty but this was turn aside by the Referee, Warren Booty who put in an extremely efficient display.

Mayland continued to press for an equaliser, but Real Maldon looked the more likely to score. The pace of substitute Ross James was causing mayhem down the right flank and his long pass forward picked out Pavett who having seen the Mayland keeper commit himself lobbed the ball just over. Jack Schelvis then missed a sitter in front of goal and with the Referee adding on almost 10 minutes of injury time this brought about a nervous finish.

Despite Mayland’s perseverance they failed to equalise to allow Real Maldon to lift the trophy.

Full Time Mayland Village F.C. 1 Real Maldon F.C. 2