Ansell Loses First Game in Charge

A GOAL in each half from Darren McQueen saw Rovers fall to defeat against Maldon & Tiptree.

McQueen’s finish on the stroke of half-time gave Maldon the lead and a tap in with 20 minutes remaining rounded off the win after Rovers had equalised through Jay Nash.

Maldon started brightly and the best early chance fell to McQueen but his low drive brought a fine save low down from goalkeeper Adam Seal.

Maldon began to build the pressure towards the interval, with full-back Ben Wyatt flashing the ball across the face of the box but Danny Emmanuel failed to turn the ball home.

But, right on half-time, the pressure paid off. McQueen took the ball inside from the right and fired low from 25 yards into the opposite corner giving Seal no chance.

Down at the break, whatever manager Gary Ansell said to his side at half-time paid off.

On the hour Nash equalised for Rovers when a long free-kick put from James Pugsley went all the way through a crowd of players, and Nash slid a controlled finish past keeper Shaun Phillips.

With 20 minutes left Maldon took control again and regained the lead through McQueen. An initial shot was parried by Seal straight to the feet of the forward who needed no invitation to score his second.

Nash nearly equalised for the second time after a goal mouth scramble fell to him six yards out but his effort was blocked by Phillips.

And manager Gary Ansell said he felt his side’s first-half performance cost them.

“We didn’t get going in the opening twenty minutes,” he said. “Unfortunately we tried to play a long ball game against the wind which we haven’t done all season. I’m proud of our second half performance but Maldon’s midfield was strong with two quick wingers and that ultimately was the difference today.”