Akinsanya nets second-half brace as Jammers draw at Mildenhall

Maldon keeper Tim Brown, who saved a penalty, and defender Grade Milende prepare to deal with another Mildenhall attack inside the six-yard box (Image: Archant)

Mildenhall Town were twice pegged back in an entertaining Bostik North duel against high-flying Maldon & Tiptree, eventually having to make do with a point at Recreation Way tonight.

An own goal by Jammers defender Grade Milende handed Hall a deserved half-time lead, and they had a chance to go 2-0 up when Matthew Green saw his penalty saved early in the second period.

Oluwole Akinsanya scrambled home an equaliser for the Essex side on 68 minutes, and although Jake Chambers-Shaw was in the right place to steer home Claudio Ofusu’s excellent cross from inside the six-yard box to regain the lead for the Suffolk hosts, they could not hang on.

Hall came under increasing pressure during the later stages, and it was no real surprise when Akinsanya eventually side-footed home substitute Ernest Okoh’s low delivery from just a couple of feet out, on 87 minutes, to secure an away point for Kevin Horlock’s men.

It has been all change at Park Drive in recent days, most notably with last week’s departure of stalwarts Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe (leading scorer with 34 goals in 34 games) and Ryan Gondoh to League Two Colchester United, plus the retirement of skipper Matt Lock, so a draw on the road was a welcome one for the new-look Jammers.

Mid-table Mildenhall went ahead in unconventional style in the 28th minute, left-back Jack Wilkinson’s cross being diverted into his own net by centre-half Milende.

Hall should have doubled their lead on 56 minutes, only for the hosts to miss a penalty.

Ofusu was clearly tripped in the penalty area, and seemed keen to take the spot kick himself.

But instead Green took on the responsibility, only to see his penalty well saved by keeper Tim Brown, a recent signing from Canvey Island, low to his left.

And the Jammers, after a spell of pressure, made Hall pay for that squandered opportunity, Akinsanya sweeping home the equaliser from close range on 56 minutes after the hosts had failed to deal with a cross into their six-yard box.

The visitors went in search of a winner and substitute Emmanuel Katundu drilled a 25-yarder wide on 76 minutes.

However, just a minute later and it was Mildenehall who had their noses in front. Ofusu capped a strong run with a low cross for an onrushing Chambers-Shaw to divert into an empty net.

With six minutes remaining, goalscorer Akinsanya squandered a great chance to equalise for a second time. His header from point blank range ballooned over the bar.

But the Jammers were not to be denied and Akinsanya could hardly miss as he swept home Okoh’s cross late on for a point.

Squads

MILDENHALL: Hallett, Hood, Wilkinson, Kerins, Curry, Simpson, Ofusu, Green, Debenham, Chambers-Shaw, Ingram (sub Crow, 36).

MALDON & TIPTREE: T Brown, Renee, Claridge, Pollard, Ubah (subKatundu, 70), Milende, Bailey, H Brown, McKeown (sub Okoh, 65), Akinsanya, Clamplin.

Referee: Chris Horsman

Attendance: 141