The Manor playing Romford at Rush Green where results in the past have been inconsistent for both sides. The Manor off the back of a midweek win against the Boro in the League Cup Group B. The Manor nicking all 3 points from a Penalty in the last few minutes of the game.

The Manor without key defenders Tony Marsh & Alan Griffiths both have contributed so much in keeping clean sheets for the Manor this season. The Braves also without their midfield inspiration and skipper Johnny Quinn who is currently reviewing is playing Career.

The Game sets off to a blistering pace as the Manor try and go for an early goal, with Peter Kana down the right hand-side, cuts in a fabulous ball cleared out for a corner, the ball whipped in quickly and Terry Hunt heads goal bound, but bounces off the bar!

A rejuvenated Graham Chester, Player/Asst Manager, looking fitter and leaner then ever, playing his normal centre forward role, chases every ball, and not allowing the Romford defence time to clear their lines, Chester putting them under pressure to make a mistake, allowed the Manor to gain possession time and time again.

Peter Kana Manors talented striker, once again causing total havoc in the Romford defence, Kana doing every thing right apart from that final deadly touch in the last 18 yards! None the less Kana clearly unsettling the Romford back four.

15 minutes into the game and Ray Coker attacking defender, bringing the ball to the half way line and sweetly lays a ball which cuts right through the Boro defence into the path of Manor work horse Jamie Wallace whose shot blasts just over the bar.

The Boro not allowing the Manor to steal the show speed off down the right hand-side, cutting the ball back into the path of an on coming Romford player who smashes a powerful shot onto the post.

23 minutes gone and Kana forcing a corner, Terry Hunt sends in a great ball and Chester is on hand to flick it into the net 1-0 to the Manor.

The Boro immediately respond, attacking down the right, however, Chris Barratt and Ray Coker more than a match for the Boro attackers.

Manor's young midfield magician Lee Smith this time sends a perfectly weighted ball down the centre of the park, right into the path of Kana who decides to hit his shot from 25 yards from goal on the half volley, making Neil Finn the Boro keeper dive full stretch to save what looked like a certain goal!

Boro attack deep in the Manor half, a loose ball towards goal, luckily Manor Keeper Carl Prince was alert as he come off his line to block with his feet, the ball rebounds into the path of a striker who fires his shot but blocked again by the hard working Manor defender Jason McCarthy.

Another Boro scramble in the Manor area this time Lee Canham taking control, bringing the ball out of any danger.

The final few minutes of the half saw Chester, Kane and Wallace all come close.

The second period and the Manor pickup most of the early possession, Kana continues to terrorise the Boro defence without the final blow, Chester going down in the Romford box the referee only giving him 2 out of ten for artistic impression! waved play on!

The Manor Skipper Steve Reading keeping things tight at the back can be heard across the park encouraging his young Braves forward, started yet another Manor attack as he sent the ball to Lee Smith who once again users his pin point passing ability this time for Terry Hunt down the left, Hunt cuts in past two defenders heading towards goal plants a great ball into the path of Chester, hit wide.

51 minutes and Graham Chester is replaced by Adie Skyers.

The Boro attack in packs down the left this time, Steve Reading spotting the danger and makes a Bobby Moore type tackle, hooking his leg around the ball without touching the player, applause even from the Romford faithful who appreciated Reading's talents.

Manor's Adie Skyers straight into the action as he takes up a position down the left, with the ball at his feet attacks the Boro goal, flicking the ball over the body of an oncoming defender, now has the goal in his sights, from a tight angle fires a shot over the head of Finn who just finger tips the ball to safety.

Skyers latches on to a great through ball and delicately touches the ball into the path of Kana, with just Finn to beat blasts the ball just wide of the post!

Skyers and Kana now causing complete Mayhem in the Boro half, Boro Manager Mark Reed walking the lines and shouting to his men to watch for Skyers.

The Boro regain some composer and take some pressure off their defence, Boro attacking down the middle of the park and forcing Carl Prince to make a spectacular save, out for a corner. 68 minutes Paul Docherty on for Lee Canham. Corner taken, the ball floats to the back post and Romford nod the ball in for an equaliser.

The Manor now wishing they took their chances as the Boro now full of confidence and playing well.

Another Manor Substitution, Chris Hammond on for Terry Hunt, a striker for a defender, Whitelock obviously going for the win. Hammond has an immediate impact by collecting the ball 35 yards from goal and smashing a half volley past the outstretched hands of Neil Finn and smashes off the post! The Manor fans in the ground would not have been blamed for thinking this was not their day!

Skyers and Kana continues to torture the Boro defence but failing to give that final killer blow, until the 81st minute that is, when Hammond got on to the end of a brilliantly floated cross to nod home making it 2-1 to the Braves.

Paul Docherty working hard to keep The Boro pinned in their own half, stole the ball off of the feet of a Boro defender in his own area, Doc cuts the ball across goal to Hammond, Finn going low to make the save.

Boro take a throw inside the Manor half, the ball pushed through the middle just outside the 18 yard line and score. 2-2.

Now into the final few minutes of the game and Manor attack is cut short when a Boro defender not involved in play is hurt and off the pitch. The ref stops the game and strangely gives a free kick to Romford? The ball sent up into the danger area and cleared for another corner, The Boro take quickly, and again the ball lands at the back post, the Boro score making it 3-2.

Not much injury time played as the game was flowing for most of the entire 90 minutes. A great spectacle of football from both sides and most certainly entertained the large crowd present.

The feeling of disappointment is all consuming, however, many positives should be taken out of the game by the Braves today, the feeling of optimism has never been higher, Whitelock, McDonald, Chester and Jenkins can surly see now, the hard work and effort they have all put in will soon start to pay dividends, straight after the game the entire Manor team where together which shows how close these tightly knitted bunch of players have become.

Romford have much work to do, no one knows this more then Mark Reed Romford's Manager, who acted as their 12th man out there today, running up and down the lines, always calling for more from his Boro men. It is easy to see why Whitelock and Reedy get on so well, both very passionate about the players and loyal right through to the end

Manor Man of the Match

The Whole Manor Team!

Manor Team: Prince, Coker, Reading (capt), Barratt, McCarthy, Hunt, Smith, Wallace, Canham, Chester, Kana, Subs: Baptiste, Elamir, Docherty, Richards, Skyers, Hammond.

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