Three seasons ago Maldon were in the Essex Senior League.

Now manager Ben Embery believes they are ready to step up into the Southern League.

They will probably finish midway in the Jewson Premier, along with Halstead, who they drew 1-1 with at home in their Easter Monday derby clash.

But Embery is certain his squad is only one or two new faces away from making a serious title challenge next term.

He said: "Our results this season have not reflected how we have played. We are a much better side than our league position indicates.

"Our priority this season was to stay in the Premier and we have done that. Now if we can keep the nucleus of the squad and add some quality players I believe we can be serious title contenders and move up the pyramid.

Certainly one or two looked good enough for a higher level. Tommy Noble is a quality striker and he was quick to react and score the equaliser at Park Drive after promising youngster Ollie Woodman, struck a post.

Halstead had taken a first half lead when Steve Wareham finished superbly from a tight angle.

Wareham is another teenager who looks destined for greater things and it is little wonder Steve Parnell raves about him but at the same time tries not to attract the attentions of the higher league sharks.

There was much to admire from both teams playing entertaining football even if they had nothing of serious consequence at stake.

Halstead had the experienced Julian Lamb at the heart of their rearquard cajoling and bullying as he directed affairs. Maldon had Andy Potter, quiet yet effectively marshalling their defence.

Last year he was an Essex county under-19 player and is showing signs of further maturing into an excellent defender with good feet to match a cool head.

There is a sprinkling of other good youngsters who have stayed with Maldon from those Essex Senior days and after going close at their first attempt, won promotion as runners-up last season.

But while the team's potential is apparent, they play attractive attacking football and the facilities at the Wallace Binder stadium are quite superb, the lack of a fan base is worrying.

Embery said: "If we can't get substantially more people coming to our games then the town does not deserve to have a football team.

"We have everything in place but we need support, in terms of numbers and financially. There is a huge housing estate on our doorstep and we should be getting 200-300 people here."

If Maldon achieve their aim in the next few seasons they would probably apply to join the Ryman League which already boasts several Essex sides.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.