by DANNY RUST

Maldon & Tiptree 5

(Nash 6’, 12’ (p), 20’, Newson 51’, Mills 83’)

Haringey Borough 4

(Richards 14’, Gabriel 49’, 76’, Benjamin 90’)

Ryman League division north play-off semi-final

MALDON and Tiptree booked their place in the division north play-off final after getting the better of Haringey Borough in a thriller at Park Drive.

Liam Nash hit a 20-minute hat-trick to give the Jammers a 3-1 lead, before second-half goals from Sam Newson and Adam Mills proved decisive in getting the better of their opponents.

Kevin Horlock’s side will go head-to-head with Thurrock – who secured a 1-0 win over AFC Hornchurch in the other play-off semi-final – in the play-off final.

The shoot-out for a place in the premier division will take place on Sunday at Park Drive.

Nash, who has starred for Maldon throughout the season, gave the hosts a sixth-minute lead as he beat Haringey Borough goalkeeper Harry Palmer.

Just 12 minutes in, the Jammers had gained a two-goal advantage as Nash dispatched a penalty.

But Rakim Richards got a goal back for the visitors two minutes later.

With Haringey Borough looking to get back on level terms, Nash found the back of the net once again to complete a hat-trick inside the opening 20 minutes.

Ralston Gabriel halved Maldon’s advantage once again just four minutes into the second half, but moments later Sam Newson got his name on the scoresheet to put the home side fully in control again.

Gabriel was causing Horlock’s defence problems and notched his second of the night with less than 15 minutes to play.

With Haringey Borough looking to get back on level terms, the Jammers went up the other end and Mills added Maldon’s fifth with seven minutes remaining.

Chris Benjamin reduced the deficit in the dying moments to set a nervy final moments for the hosts, but Maldon held on to book their place in the play-off final at Haringey Borough’s expense.

Maldon & Tiptree: Wilks, Hammond, Claridge, Lock, Roast, Haynes-Brown, Henry (Brampton 89’), Agyermang (Kamanzi 84’), Newson, Nash, Mills.