The Manor always expect a tough game when visiting Sawbridgeworth Town, and today was to be no exception. Firstly, the Manor was greeted by a fabulous playing surface, the Grounds staff should be complimented on preparing a lush green, flat pitch, that was a credit to the Club.

The Manor start the more lively, as they sweep down the left, Defreitas nearly getting on to the end of a great ball driven in by new boy Jamie Barry. Saw'bo Keeper Hardy, out to cut off any danger.

Young Manor midfielder Stephen Parker, on the edge of the box, shoots just wide of the post. Great movement by Devon Saunders to set up the Manor attack.

18 minutes gone and the Manor get a free kick across goal, 10 yards out of the area, Manor Skipper Jamie Wallace, drives the ball in with pace, the ball swings dangerously towards the goal and onto the head of waiting striker Ricky Defreitas, who guides the ball into the back of the net, making it 1-0 to the Braves.

Saw'bos turn to attack down the Manor left, Defreitas tracking back to snatch the ball off the feet of the attacking playing.

The Manor now taking control of the game, Neil Barratt dominating the midfield using his 6ft 4" frame to command the middle of the park, cuts in from the right, sweeps the ball to Parker, who dummies the ball to Wallace who in turn smashes his shot just over the bar. The Manor now playing with confidence.

Brief Saw'bo attack, Lmyamt with the ball at this feet heads off towards the Manor goal, Mark Clarey stays on his feet to block the way through.

Manor's new keeper Nicky Mitchell called into action, the ball drove down the left and swept in to the area, Saw'bos number 11 Sandell shoots low, Mitchell down to his right to stop a good effort.

Saw'bo now enjoying a short spell on the ball, Mitchell again needing to be alert, this time Mcatter swoops in on goal and Mitchell palming the ball out for a corner. The young Manor keeper looks in control.

Manor free kick, from almost the same position as the Manor goal, Wallace once again drives the ball in hard, this time Neil Barratt up high, Saw'bo keeper, Hardy this time getting his hands on the ball.

In to the Second period and Saw'bo out of the blocks first, down the right hand side, the ball driven in across goal, diving header by Wardle sees the ball go just over the bar. one of many lucky escapes to come for the Manor.

Manor's Jamie Barry heads off towards the Saw'bo goal, twisting and turning the Saw'bo defence, finds a little space and shoots, Hardy touching the ball out for a corner, the ball whipped in quickly, headed clear by Day Saw'bos Skipper, Saw'bo then counter attack down the left, the ball swept into the area, Gradosyelski tries to chip Mitchell, who palms the ball over the bar.

Jamie Wallace nearly making it two, when he collects the ball on the edge of the area, Hardy, fumbles Wallace's shot, the ball falls back to Wallace who punts the ball just wide of the post.

With 15 minutes left on the clock, its now all Saw'bo, who pin the Braves back into their own half, attack from a corner, the ball falling kindly at the far post, only Mitchell to beat, the Manor keeper cutting down the space, swoops the ball off the feet of the attacking player, great save by Mitchell.

Saw'bo attack again down the left, squares the ball into the middle, shoots, Mitchell proving to be a great signing for the Manor as he dives low to collect the ball.

Saw'bo throw in just off the half way line, the ball driven in high from 40 yards, just sneaks over the bar' Saw'bo really putting the pressure on the Manor now! The Saw'bo bench on their feet and feeling frustrated.

Mitchell again doing wonders, the Manor playing the offside trap, let the ball run into the path of a Saw'bo striker, with only Mitchell to beat looks a clear goal, however, Mitchell clearly having a superb game, goes low to snatch the ball off the strikers feet to gather the ball to safety, unbelievable keeping by the Manor No 1.

Saw'bo attack once more, this time steaming in from the right hand side, free run into the box, that Man Mitchell again having to dive to his right to palm the ball around the post!

Manor players really having to dig deep to contain this lively Saw'bo side, full credit to all the Manor men who are running their socks off to track back and crowd out the Saw'bo front men.

The Manor down to 10 men as Parker reacts to some Saw'bo banter, he pushes a player and the referee having no choice but to flash the red card.

Saw'bo punt the ball up field, Saw'bo swoop down the middle, 5 yards out of the area shoots, the ball bounces off the bar, another lucky escape for the Braves.

The final whistle blew after 7 minutes of injury time, which must have seemed more like 7 hours to the Manor men. The Manor were made to work for the 3 points, and the joyous scenes at the end of the game proved how much this win meant to the Braves.

Special mention to the officials today, who did an excellent job of holding together the game, this young referee aided by his able lines-men was firm but fair and controlled the game extremely well.

Some big performances were needed today, Ray Coker, Neil Barratt and Devon Saunders in defence, who all knew they were in a game today. The Midfield mystro and Skipper Jamie Wallace, worked his socks off again today and gave a big Skippers performance, however, the Man of the Match went to Manor new boy and Keeper, Nicky Mitchell who pulled off some remarkable saves to keep the Manor firmly in the game.

Manor Man of the Match

Nicky Mitchell - Outstanding Performance

Nicky Mitchell

Manor Team:

Mitchell, Clarey, White, Saunders, Coker, March, Wallace (Capt), N.Barratt, Barry, Defreitas, Parker,

Subs Holland, Ukalgwa, Vermeuken, Jones Sabaroche,

Att: 50