The players & officials at the Manor have a slight feeling of Deja’Vu as they step onto the field against London APSA today. The fact the Manor had played them in the Essex Senior Cup only two days prior may have contributed to the feeling!

The Manor making one change to the team that played on Thursday night, Justin Cummins in for Ricardo Amado.

The Manor kick off in the bright sunshine and look to break the deadlock early, Jason Fox sending the ball long, over the top of the advancing yellow shirts into the path of Kunle Adeoye, with just the keeper to beat ‘noticing the keeper off his line tries to chip the ball, but unlucky for Adeoye the ball bounces over the bar!

The game seems to fall into a midfield tussle for long periods, both teams not creating too many opportunities as the game is continues to be battled in the centre of the park!

Jamie Wallace quick to see Junior Konadu get himself into a shooting position, 20 yards from Goal, Konadu decides to go it alone and blasts the ball just over the bar.

42 minutes gone and Justin Cummins collects the ball down the left to the by-line, swings in a great ball to the feet of Anton Stephenson, shielding the ball with his body manages to find half a yard to launch the ball into the back of the net, 1-0 to the Manor.

More Manor pressure as Stephenson forces a corner. The ball driven in from the corner flag by Justin Cummins who watches in hope as the ball skims off of the bar and out for a goal kick.

As the clock ticks down the Manor have one last attempt at the London APSA goal, Lee Smith sends in a fabulous ball into the box, Adeoye just getting his head on the ball as it whizzes past the post.

The Second period kicks off and the Manor appear to be reenergised ‘more then likely by some stiff words in the dressing room by Graham Chester, now appear to have some urgency about their game, Jamie Wallace a constant source of encouragement to his team mates to step up the pace.

Wallace and Adeoye hooking up once more, Wallace again the provider as he places the ball into the path of the nippy striker, Adeoye with the ball at his feet and just inside the 18 yard area 'let’s fly and looked to be going in however, the London APSA keeper Ricardo Braganza pulls off a brave save to his left.

Another Manor Corner, Lee Smith drives the ball into the box, Skipper Steve Willis fist to connect but just wide of the post.

APSA finding it really tough to penetrate the Manor defence, Neil Barratt, Jason Fox Courtney Mclean and Skipper Steve Willis proving to be a brick wall to the home side.

53 minutes and the Manor attack from just inside the APSA box, Adeoye strikes the ball from close range, Braganza blocks the ball with his body, but the ball bounces out only as far as Anton Stephenson 'who coolly places the ball into the back of the net for his second of the game.

54 minutes, Manor make their first substitute, Charlie Tarten on for midfield Dynamo Lee Smith.

56 minutes, Manor make their second substitute, Liam Mulcare on for the industrious Junior Konadu.

59 minutes, APSA attack down the left, Courtney Mclean using his incredible pace to steal the ball from Lionel Gibson, Mclean laying the ball to Neil Barratt and from the halfway line 'launches the ball high into the path of Kunle Adeoye, who from just outside the box, chips the ball on the half volley over the head of the keeper and into the net, 3-0 to the Manor.

66 minutes, Jamie Wallace sprays the ball down the right, Adeoyo collecting the ball & gets to the by-line, steps past two defenders and into the box, pulling the ball back to make the angle and slides the ball into the net. 4-0.

Stephenson really working hard to pin the ASPA defence in their own half, chasing every ball down, gets a foot on an attempted clearance, the ball falls to the feet of Adeoye who snatches at the ball as it bobbles out of play.

Anton Stephenson and Kunle Adeoye causing all sorts of problems for the APSA defence, Stephenson sends in a beautifully weighted pass 'right into the path of Adeoye, who rounds the keeper and shoots towards goal, the ball slightly under hit 'which allows a defender to clear the ball off the line.

79 minutes, Manor make their 3rd substitute, Jason Fox off for Ray Coker.

Charlie Tarten collecting the ball down the left, managing to stand up after a crunching tackle by Jamie Parker, Tarten, 25 yards from goal takes a positive approach 'as he smashes the ball goal- bound, forcing the APSA keeper to have to make another good save.

Liam Mulcare looking really lively in the centre of the park, collects the ball from 30 yards and goes alone, gets to about 20 yards and blasts the ball just over the bar.

Stephenson coming close, a throw-in from Tarten inside the APSA half, the ball driven forward by Justin Cummins right into the penalty area, Anton again using his 6ft frame to shield the ball which he does so well, allows himself enough time to line his shot up, sends in a fierce shot and Braganza having to make a spectacular save to push the ball over the bar for another Manor Corner.

Tarten again sending in a great ball right into the heart of the penalty box, Stephenson up first as the ball grazes his head and out for a goal kick.

Adeoye’s turn to go for his hatrick, collects the ball in the centre of the park and heads off towards goal, Adeoye having options both left and right, however deciding to go route one ‘down the centre ‘alone but again’ Braganza well positioned to make a good save.

The Manor get caught on the counter, APSA break into the Manor box with just Chamberlain to beat, however the Manor keeper with very little to do in the game pulls off a fabulous save to keep a clean sheet on the day.

The Manor having plenty of opportunities to further extend their goal difference today, however, must be satisfied with a 4-0 against a spirited London ASPA side ‘that never gave up throughout the entire 90 minutes of the game.

Manor Man of the Match

Anton Stephenson - High Work Rate.

Anton Stephenson

Manor Team:

Chamberlain, Fox, Mclean, Willis (Capt), Smith, Wallace, N.Barratt, Konadu, Stephenson, Kunle, Cummins.

Subs Mulcare, Tartan, Coker. Addai

Scorers:-

Stephenson 42, 53
Adeoye 59, 66

Att: 15