Flackwell's FA Cup dream ends in heartbreak after missed penalty at Maldon

Matt Ayres. Photo credit: Jeremy Vaughan @jezz_takes_pics (instagram)

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Maldon & Tiptree 1, Flackwell Heath 0

Flackwell Heath’s proud run to the final qualifying round of the FA Cup - the first time the side had reached this stage in 21 years - was ended in disappointing fashion by Step 4 hosts Maldon & Tiptree on Saturday.

Former West Ham and Ipswich striker Freddie Sears scored the only goal of the tie, heading home at the near post in the 34th minute from Courtney Senior’s cross.

But Chris Ayres will be frustrated his side were unable to take advantage a huge lifeline that was thrown to them at the end of the first half when Maldon’s Zack Littlejohn was sent off conceding a penalty.

Had they scored from the spot and gone into the half-time break on level terms the outcome of this tie could have been very different.

Unfortunately, Jack Shakespeare saw his spot kick well saved by Daggers’ keeper Elliot Justham and Maldon were able to protect their lead through to the full-time whistle despite coming under some intense pressure from their Southern League Central Division visitors.

Chris Ayres side still had 45 minutes to make their extra man count, but they failed to take the chances which came their way in a dominant second half display.

The former Dagenham keeper Justham made a smart save in the final five minutes of normal time to preserve the home side’s slender advantage.

Maldon are now the lowest ranked team left in this season’s FA Cup, and they’ll be ball number 64 in today’s first round draw.

Saturday’s win over Flackwell was also their sixth victory in the competition, having entered at the extra preliminary round stage on August 1. It’s worth noting a Premier League team would lift the FA Cup with the same number of victories.

The ambitious Essex club are also looking a good bet for promotion from the Isthmian League North Division. They currently sit top of the table, two points clear of their closest rivals, despite skipping a couple of league fixtures due to their continued progress in the FA Cup.

They’ve several high-profile players, such as Saturday’s match-winner Sears - who played for West Ham and Ipswich - while they’ve also recently added the former Charlton, QPR and Ipswich forward Macauley Bonne to their ranks. He came on as a half-time substitute and linked up well at times with Sears, despite the home side being down to 10 men.

Reflecting on the side’s run to the first round - and Saturday’s deflating exit - assistant boss Paul Shone said: “We settled alright for the first five minutes and then they were on top.

“Did they deserve to take the lead, possibly? I think they were the better side. They had a bit of a foothold in the tie for the next five minutes or so but then we got a lifeline in terms of the sending off and the penalty. That gave us a massive lifeline.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t taken it. In the second half we’ve dominated as you’d expect against the 10 men.

“They defended unbelievably well. We’ve had a couple of chances late on. Did we deserve to win the game? Probably not, did we deserve to get a replay? Yes, I think so, but that’s football.

“It’s a hard one to take, I’m devastated for them. I feel that way too. There are a few sad people in there because they think it’s all to do with them. But it’s not, it’s us, we’re a team. It’s not about any individual that has cost us today, It’s about the team.

“The team hasn’t done enough to get us through. We have to use this as fuel for our league campaign which is our bread and butter and hopefully come May we move on to where we want to be.

“It is what it is, you sacrifice the league a bit when you have a good cup run. But now we must jump back into the league next Saturday and that’s what we have to look forward to. We must make sure we apply ourselves properly and carry on our unbeaten run in the league.”

Flackwell return to league action with a tough looking game at leaders Biggleswade on Saturday.