Eton Manor travel to Mayesbrook Park the home of Barking FC ‘to battle it out for a place in the League Cup Final. A few changes in the starting line-up which saw the Braves beat Southend Manor last Saturday. Neil Barratt back after a few weeks absence, Anton Stephenson back after his two match suspension along with Courtney Mclean who switches positions to play wide right.

The Manor kick off against the wind. Opening 15 minutes and a defensive midfield tussle sees both teams cancel one another out.

Barking's Duane Miller tries to lob the Manor Keeper, Andy Hall just manages to get his fingers tips to push the ball wide and out of reach of the Fabio Jesus who was coming in at the back post.

The Manor attack down the left, the ball sent high, Ray Coker 20 yards in the Barking half nods the ball into the path of Bradley Nelson who sets off towards the Barking goal, Nelson on the edge of the box blasts the ball inches past the post.

The Manor now piling on the pressure, the ball sent down the centre by Steve Willis, into the path of Chris Barratt who tries a lob from 30 yards the ball just dropping over the bar.

Some good one touch football from the Manor which results in Bradley Nelson down the right hand-side to the edge of the box, Nelson swings the ball across goal and into the path of Anton Stephenson coming in from the back post; Stephenson slides in but misses the ball by a fraction of a second, lucky escape for Barking.

The strong wind not giving Barking the advantage as the ball is carried out of play even with only the slightest of touches.

Last few minutes remaining of the first period and the Manor have the best chance of the game so far, the ball driven down the right by Courtney Mclean, into the path of Liam Mulcare who cuts in through the Barking defence and heads off towards goal, options to his left with Stephenson coming in at the far post ‘but decides to shot from just inside the box, the Barking keeper Liam Stone down low to his right and palms the ball away, good save by Barking’s No 1.

Second half and the Manor make their intensions clear, Liam Mulcare down the right as he sends a great ball into the box and onto the head of Bradley Nelson, once more Liam Stone makes a fabulous acrobatic save to keep the score level.

Barking attack and this time the wind assisting the home side as a high ball gets held-up in the wind; Andy Hall needed to react quickly to change his positioning to claw the ball away only to the feet of Jimmy Noakes who tries to pull the trigger, but Ray Coker making a solid tackle to avert any danger.

11 minutes into the second Period and the Manor go down to 10 men, an off the ball incident saw Bradley Nelson sent off for a early shower, the match official giving a straight red card to the Manor striker.

The Manor making their first substitutes, the hard working Ray Coker off form Liam Allen and Chris Barratt off for midfield battler Lee Smith.

The Manor continue to press the home side and look determined to score, Liam Mulcare fires in a bullet from 20 yards, once more Barking’s Keeper making a fine save to his right.

Manor making their last Substitute Courtney Mclean makes way for attacking midfielder Jamie Wallace.

Andy Hall takes a free kick on the edge of the half way line, the ball driven into the box, Jamie Wallace finding some space smashes the ball goal bound, Liam Stone once more to the Blues rescue.

Anton Stephenson showing his determination, the attack starts in his own half, Stephenson flicks the ball over his head and runs on through a packed defence towards goal, Stephenson into the box and a great challenge by Jamie Hughes sees the ball cleared for a corner.

The last few remaining minutes of the game, the Manor win a corner, the ball driven into the box by Liam Allen onto the head of Jason Fox, the ball rebounds off the bar and onto the head of Neil Barratt who Cooley scores giving Barking’s keeper no chance whatsoever.

The final whistle blows shortly after the restart giving the Manor a well deserved victory. The 2nd leg scheduled at Tilbury on the 29th March gives the Manor a great opportunity to land their second Cup final place this season.

Some notable performances today, Liam Mulcare back to his best with some creative play down the right, unlucky not to have scored a couple himself today. Ray Coker showed his worth today, made some crucial tackles with perfect timing. Steve Reading dominating the middle of the park got everything in the air and gave a competent performance. Neil Barratt at the heart of the Manor midfield a real colossus for the Manor and scored the winner, however, Manor Man of the Match goes to Steve Willis the Manor Captain, a real solid performer who doesn’t panic in defence, a Captains performance was needed today and Willis provided this and more.

The Manor travel to Clapton on Tuesday night, a difficult game is expected and nothing should be taken for granted.

Manor Man of the Match

Steve Willis - Commanding Performer

...Steve Wilis

Manor Team:

Hall, Fox, Reading, Willis (Capt), C.Barratt, N.Barratt, Mclean, Mulcare, Stephenson, Nelson, Coker.

Subs Smith, Leary, Wallace, Allen

Att: 52