Boss, Steve Butterworth made a couple of changes from Saturday's draw over Dulwich Hamlet. Fatsi Mustafa made his first start for the club, whilst Aaron Wiliams-Bushell returned to the starting XI in place of Rhamar Garrett-Douglas. Within the ranks of the visitors was ex-Maldon winger, Terrell Egbri who made a warm return back to Park Drive. There were two-other returning Jammers, in the form of Darren McQueen who was a used subsitute and Liam Nash, who was sat in the stands for the visitors, due to injury.
The Jammers' evening got off to the worst possible start, with the vistors scoring two goals inside the opening seven minutes. The first goal was courtesy of Kai Corbett, who dispatched an unbelieveable finish from the edge of the box leaving Bradley Robinson helpless in the Maldon goal. Two minutes later, a Kenedi Dariri clearance richoched off Tom Eastman and rolled in to the back of the net to give the vistiors a two-nil lead.
In truth, Eastbourne were wasteful throughout the first half whilst Robinson also made a string of smart saves to keep the scoreline within touching distance. Things soon got worse for the Jammers, with Jamie Bennett being forced off within an injury before the clock had reached twenty minutes. Samuel Adeyeye was introduced in his place.
As the game approached the interval, Butterworth's side began to find their feet and grew into the game with their own spell of possession. Ade Cole sent a half volley from the edge of the box wide, before Jesse Olukolu's cross almost presented a chance for Charlee Hughes.
In stoppage time in the first half, the Jammers pulled a goal back. Adeyeye's cross from was cleared only as far as Mustafa who from just beyond the penalty spot curled his effort in to the back of the net to give the Jammers something to smile about at the break...
Half Time: Maldon & Tiptree 1 - 2 Eastbourne Borough
As entertaining as the first half may have been, the second half struggled to pick up any momentum. The visitors were happy to play on the counter attack, with Maldon pushing for an equaliser with the majoirty of possession. Ten minutes in, Robinson made another smart save as the visitors almost capitalised on one of their well planned counter-attacks.
Maldon's injury woes worsended in the 56th minute. This time, it was Charlee Hughes who appeared to pull-up with a muscle injury and was replaced by Ibby Akanbi. At the same time, Williams-Bushell who had been cautioned was replaced by Rhamar Garrett-Douglas.
Five minutes later, another injury. With Maldon appealing for a foul, Finlay Corrigan was left in a heap on the floor after a clattering tackle that perhaps deserved more than just a caution. Corrigan was unable to continue and was replaced by Marlon Agyakwa. From the resulting free-kick, the dangerous Tom Eastman almost continued his shot-streak in front of goal - he was however denied by a smart save from Lewis Carey. The ball rebounded off the bar, with appeals saying it crossed the line waved away from the match officials.
Before the end of the contest, the Jammers collected a host of yellow cards. Ade Cole, Dairi and Olukolu were all cautioned. As the final whistle approached, Maldon's last chance of note fell to Akanbi after a smart cross from Garrett-Dougles, but Akanbi's header went wide of the far post.
Full Time: Maldon & Tiptree 1 - 2 Eastbourne Borough
Whilst a disappointing result, it was a spirited performance from the Jammers against an Eastbourne side that are one of the favourties to lift the title this season. Next up for the Jammers, is another home match against Three Bridges on Saturday 31 October - can Butterworth's men make it a halloween to remember?
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Match facts
- Full-time: Maldon & Tiptree 1–2 Eastbourne Borough
- Isthmian League - Premier Division
- Date: 2026-10-27
- Kick-off: 19:45
- Venue: The Maldon Stadium
- Half-time: 1 – 2
- Referee: Liam Botten
- Attendance: 252
Goals and match events
- 5′ — Goal: Kai Corbett (5') (Eastbourne Borough)
- 7′ — Goal: Unknown (7' og) (Eastbourne Borough)
- 18′ — substitution: Samuel Adeyeye · substitution (Maldon & Tiptree)
- 20′ — Yellow card: Aaron Williams-Bushell · Yellow card (Maldon & Tiptree)
- 45′ — Goal: Fatih Mustafa (45+2') (Maldon & Tiptree)
- 58′ — substitution: Rhamar Garrett-Douglas · substitution (Maldon & Tiptree)
- 58′ — substitution: Ibby Akanbi · substitution (Maldon & Tiptree)
- 65′ — Yellow card: Terrell Egbri · Yellow card (Eastbourne Borough)
- 66′ — substitution: Darren Mcqueen · substitution (Eastbourne Borough)
- 66′ — substitution: Shayon Harrison · substitution (Eastbourne Borough)
- 69′ — substitution: Marlon Agyakwa · substitution (Maldon & Tiptree)
- 72′ — substitution: Reiss Webber · substitution (Maldon & Tiptree)
- 79′ — substitution: Harry Phipps · substitution (Eastbourne Borough)
- 81′ — Yellow card: Ade Cole · Yellow card (Maldon & Tiptree)
- 86′ — Yellow card: Kenedi Dariri · Yellow card (Maldon & Tiptree)
- 90′ — Yellow card: Jesse Olukolu · Yellow card (Maldon & Tiptree)
- 90′ — substitution: Owen Bellamy · substitution (Eastbourne Borough)
Maldon & Tiptree line-up
Starting XI
1. Bradley Robinson, 2. Aaron Williams-Bushell, 3. Jordan Peart, 4. Finlay Corrigan, 5. Tom Eastman (captain), 7. Jesse Olukolu, 8. Ade Cole, 9. Charlee Hughes, 10. Fatih Mustafa, 11. Jamie Bennett, 22. Kenedi Dariri
Substitutes
6. Rhamar Garrett-Douglas, 12. Reiss Webber, 14. Ibby Akanbi, 15. Marlon Agyakwa, 16. Samuel Adeyeye
Eastbourne Borough line-up
Starting XI
1. Lewis Carey, 2. Matthew Hayden, 3. Elliott Johnson (captain), 7. Kai Corbett, 8. Max Sheaf, 12. Samuel Oguntayo, 15. Craig Eastmond, 16. Freddie Carter, 17. Terrell Egbri, 20. Arthur Grout, 26. Paul Mccallum
Substitutes
6. Harry Phipps, 11. Darren Mcqueen, 22. Owen Bellamy, 23. Shayon Harrison, 24. Nathan Tyler Laleye
Match information supplied by Football Web Pages — match details.