Joe Gardner’s 29th minute effort gave the home side the lead, before two goals in five second half minutes from Appiah and Bradley Vaughan handed the Essex side control.

Joe Marsden then won and converted a 64th minute penalty to give The Yachtsmen hope of a revival.

But Appiah’s second from six yards after great play from Bradley Hunter sealed the win for the home side.

Maldon were the better side as Wroxham had no answer to their tough approach, the away side struggling to create many chances in what will be a game to forget for The Yachtsmen.

The difference in styles was evident from the off, with Maldon looking for the more direct approach up to their big number nine Bradley Hunter.

A Maldon set piece produced the first real opening of the game after 16 minutes, Jack Stevenson - who was earlier surprisingly booked for diving – sending the ball across to Spencer Harrison, who tamely struck his shot straight at Aaron Cranfield.

Jacob Cleaver then had a weaving run down the right, striking the stanchion behind the goal with his effort as the hosts began to press.

Hunter was winning balls for fun for the home side, the strong striker flicking on to Harrison, who couldn’t convert his header from eight yards.

The home side’s direct approach then paid off as they took the lead through Joe Gardner after 29 minutes.

Maldon right back Russell Pond played a devilish ball in behind the Wroxham defence, with Cranfield’s weak punch falling to Gardner, who duly dispatched his effort into the bottom right hand corner for 1-0.

Maldon were trying to stamp their mark on the game with their aggressive approach, affecting the Wroxham players in the process as both teams picked up needless yellow cards in a scrappy middle period.

Wroxham were struggling to cope with the Maldon aggression, with Remy Gordon trying to ignite a spark to no avail with a couple probing runs down the left as the game limped towards half time.

The Yachtsmen looked to press as the second half began, but it was Maldon who doubled their lead after 48 minutes as Wroxham were caught short with a quick free kick.

Ollie Berquez fired a quick 40 yard ball over Ben Price and into Junior Appiah’s feet, who composed himself before slotting his effort past Cranfield for 2-0.

Wroxham seemed bereft of confidence while their Essex counterparts had it in abundance, scoring a third to compound their superiority.

The Wroxham defence failed to clear their lines with the ball finding its way to Bradley Vaughan on the left, the defender striking his effort straight through Cranfield when the ‘keeper really should have done better.

The home side were well in the ascendancy, with Hunter missing a good chance for 4-0 as the game reached the hour mark, Cranfield smothering his attempt when he was through on goal.

Wroxham then got a reprieve as Joe Marsden produced his first piece of class in the game.

Marsden weaved his way past three men into the box to draw the foul, giving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. The right back dusted himself off before coolly slotting his penalty into the bottom right corner to make it 3-1 and give The Yachtsmen hope.

Maldon were not resting on their laurels as they looked to put the game to bed, Harrison missing another chance that Cranfield saved well before Lewis Dark drove through the Wroxham defence only to fire wide with his effort.

Their direct approach then paid dividends again as the home side extended their lead once more and sealed the win.

A long ball down the left fell to Hunter, who chested the ball down with precision before beating his man to send a drilled ball across the box to Appiah, who converted from six yards for his second of the game.

The Yachtsmen still didn’t give up as the game entered the last ten, Harrison almost diverting the ball into his own net from Gordon’s cross before Marsden forced Jason Willis into a good near post save.

Gordon then had an effort of his own fly wide as Wroxham showed good spirit in an attempt to claw themselves back into contention, but it all came to nothing as Maldon eased home for the win.

Maldon and Tiptree: Willis, Pond, Spillane, Berquez, Vaughan (Coggin 72’), Harrison, Stevenson, Dark, Hunter, Gardner (Pinto 75’), Cleaver (Appiah 45’)

Subs not used: Shakley, Warren

Cautions: Stevenson 9’, Berquez 31’

Wroxham: Cranfield, Marsden, Starkings (Vide 59’), Price, Taylor, Halliday, Sanders (Cary 45’), Harty, King (Pelka 78’), Gordon, Svekis

Subs not used: Guyton

Cautions: Starkings 27’, Harty 32’, Halliday 37’, Taylor 63’

Referee: T. Handcock