Report By David Edwards

Takeley took the initiative from the start and within five minutes Joe Galsworthy slipped through an accurate pass onto the feet of Alex MARTIN, in a simple well worked move.

TAKELEY 1-0 ETON MANOR.

Early play was in favour of the Takeley front runners, but as the first half an hour was complete, the visitors took over control in mid field. A severe knee injury to Dean McAteer, brought replacement by James Whitbread and ‘The Manor’ began to take control. Frustration peaked as Gregg Williams free kick brought a great tip over the crossbar, by Eton Manor goalkeeper Steve Lambert. The referee blew for a disputed tug of Danny Dobson, from which Eton Manor had a 30 yards free kick headed away by Mark Watters for a corner. This kick swung in and was cleanly well taken by Andros Demosthenous. Again shortly afterwards the Takeley goalkeeper took a brilliant clean save off the head of Liam Moncour. With five minutes to the half time break Jamil Sylla belted the ball hard against Mark Watters’ foot. The power of the blocked shot floored Sylla and left him grounded with a badly bruised and swollen ankle. Liam MONCOUR rifled in a fiery blast from 30 yards, leaving the goalkeeper standing unmoved, as the ball crashed into the top corner of the net, on 42 minutes.

TAKELEY 1-1 ETON MANOR.

Mark Watters gave away the ball to Liam Moncour, he passed through to Bradley Nelson and with only the goalkeeper in his way, he hit the ball to his right, but Andros Demosthenous dived the correct way and saved. On 45 minutes Bradley NELSON beat his way down the left wing, without Takeley’s defence making any viable challenge, crossed and the ball hit the back of the net for Eton Manor to move in front.

TAKELEY 1-2 ETON MANOR.

For an additional eight minutes Manor had numerous chances, but tried to walk the ball into the net, around a bamboozled defence. Only James Amott made any attempt to justify his position at Centre Half. Stefen Szajewski and Charlie Pollard were sadly missed on the back line. The whistle eventually relieved the pressure on Takeley defenders.

It was only ten minutes into the second period that a lob from Junior YADOM-KONADU scored a well deserved third goal for the opposition.

TAKELEY 1-3 ETON MANOR.

A goal kick from Steve Lambert sailed over the Takeley players and was chased by Bradley Nelson and he cracked in an opportune volley, that struck the upright, to prevent complete deflation of the home side’s morale. Sam Coleman, the Takeley youngster recently introduced from the Youth Team

came into the game to replace James Horn. His introduction caused a remarkable rise in the spirit and ability of the home team’s attack. James Whitbread slid a ball through to Coleman, he twisted around two agile ‘Manor’ defenders, fired in a shot that Steve Lambert fumbled a couple of times. A poor tackle on James Whitbread by Liam Moncour had the injured Takeley player replaced by Jonathan Tann. As time ran out Sam Coleman turned firstly King and then Fox, took an opportune angle shot at goal, which James AMOTT hooked onto and gave Takeley their second goal.

TAKELEY 2-3 ETON MANOR.

Ross Tobolewski was pulled down by Alinani Mounter as he set up to shoot. It was the only booking by the referee. With Steve Lambert beaten by Sam Coleman, as he cracked in an attempt, that struck the upright. Fabio Jesus brought down Ross Tobolewski again, just outside of the penalty box. With 2 minutes of additional time being recorded Gregg Williams struck the ball high over the crossbar.

Man of the Match for Takeley was Sam Coleman, his time on the field was short, but every kick and move was inspirational. James Amott solid at the back, within an inefficient defence fist half, yet dangerous when involved in scoring attempts. For Eton Manor Junior Yiadom-Konadu had a damaging effect upon the home side, throughout and Fabio Jesus had an exemplary game, too other than continual attempts to gain referee sympathy without reason.

Teams:

TAKELEY FC: Andros DEMOSTHENOUS; Chris DORRIAN, Grant WEDLOCK; James AMOTT, Mark WATTERS (Captain), Alex MARTIN;Dean McATEER, James HORN, Joe GALSWORTHY, Ross TOBOLEWSKI,Gregg WILLIAMS. Substitutes: James WHITBREAD, Jonathan TANN, Sam COLEMAN, John WATTERS.

ETON MANOR: Steve LAMBERT: Jason FOX, Kieran KING; Jamil SYLLA, Antonio YOTOV, Danny DOBSON; Junior YIADOM-KONADU, Fabio JESUS, Manley BROWN (Captain), Bradley NELSON, Liam MONCOUR. Substitutes: Tom QUERRY, Joe ELLUL, Alan EAMES, Beckley LOUKMAN.