Report By Alex Lee

The Manor had a slightly reshuffled team positionally and welcomed back Bradley Wigginton in central defence. The game started in typical cup tie vein with both sets of players showing a reluctance to hold onto the ball and create any real passing movement.

If anything Brimsdown were the more threatening in the first 20 minutes, putting the Manor back four under some pressure with their long ball tactics aimed at some very tall forwards. Fortunately the Manor weathered the storm and the midfield four. ably led by Ricky Hales and Dean Fret started to exert some influence.

Chances were at a premium but Brimsdown came closest but somehow managed to blast over the bar from close in at the right hand post. Manor seemed somewhat the stronger as the half drew to a close and Vinny Durrant looked as if he was going to account but his first touch forced him too far left .

Half time came with nothing to choose between the teams. Manor changed their format after the interval and now had five in midfield. The tactic worked very well and they now started to get more into the game although the ball retention and passing still had an anxious feel about it.

Brimsdown continued with their aerial assault but the Manor defence held firm . The referee seemed unwilling to let any reasonable physical contact happen and Manor found themselves defending some direct free kicks in dangerous positions, Brimsdown were unable to contrive much from these and seemed to have no real set piece delivery.

The Manor grew in confidence as the game drew on and a promising move down the right flank ended with Sam Carter delivering a superb cross to the far post and Ricky Hayles was on hand to head the ball past the keeper with a trademark finish to put the Manor in front.

Brimsdown came back strongly but were unable to fashion an equaliser. Manor should have gone two up after Joe May got into a great position only to see the Brimsdown keeper pull off a good save. Both sides now made subs with the Manor replacing some tired legs after great work by Scott Lovett And Vinny Durrant.

Brimsdown now bombarded the Manor defence with long balls and Manor under pressure conceded a free kick which eluded the defence, was pushed away by keeper Nick Wilson but Brimsdown spurned a great chance from the rebound.

Manor had to defend for the final five minutes of injury time played but managed to gamely hold on.

A great win for a extremely hard working Manor side with a great team ethos, Manager Kevin Durrant was delighted with the win and said that he came with one purpose in mind and that was to get a great reaction from the team and a positive result that would drive the team forward and instill confidence in their ability .

Next Manor game is this Saturday, Away to Stansted, ESL, 3pm kick off.

Man of the Match

Ricky Hayles.

Manor Team:

Ross Frew, Jason Fox, Reiss Sinclair, Jamil Sylla, Joe Ellul, Bradley Wigington, Fabio Jesus, Danny Dobson, Josh Coulson, Jakovo Ukueku, Liam Allen.

Subs used, Kieren King,Ricardo Amado, Ali Mounter.