Great work by the home side management on the playing surface helped to make sure this game went ahead. Barkingside FC were well placed near to the top of the league and Manor Manager Kevin Durrant said in his pre match talk that this game would be a tough test for the Braves and a good result would show the squad just how far they had progressed in the past weeks.

The Manor started with an unchanged team from the side that thrashed Tiptree last week, however, there was a positional adjustment with Isaac Alabi slotting into the back 4 and Michael Marin stepping forward into midfield.

The Braves elected to play up the slope in the first half and the Manor defence was at full stretch at times to handle a lively home attack. Solid defensive work has been the platform from which the Braves have launched their unbeaten run and today was no exception. The team worked tirelessly as a unit and although early exchanges were fairly even, the Braves looked slightly more likely to open the scoring and almost did so when a great, goal bound, overhead shot from Danny Clarke was tipped over by the home keeper. The Braves looked secure at the back, combative in midfield and menacing in attack and it was no surprise when a long, high ball out of defence from Carl Bailey winged its way into the home penalty area and a good bounce evaded the Barkingside keeper and the irrepressible Clarke was on hand to put the Braves one up.

The team ethic of this Manor side was illustrated when firstly Neil Barrett up in attack fired a fine volley just over and then secondly in defence somehow managed to hook a goal bound effort to safety.

After the break the Manor were set back on their heels for a while as Barkingside came at them with great determination and no little skill. The Braves to their credit stuck to their game plan and gradually regained the initiative and began to fashion some incisive attacks but were unable to increase their lead. Not to be outdone the home side continued to press and as the conditions deteriorated with the heavy rain a defensive slip resulted in Manor keeper Michael Wakefield having to pull off a great save to keep out the home side.

It was, however, the visitors who took control and only goal line clearances and goal bound shots being blocked away stopped the Manor from increasing their lead. In fact a couple of more goals would not have flattered them. Some of the goalmouth action in the Barkingside area looked as if another Manor goal must come but by now tired legs led to tired finishing and the game ended with the Braves winning by the only goal.

Manager Kevin Durrant and his coaches, Nick and Paul rated this performance first class and professional. Durrant said: "There was a stroke of fortune about our goal, but our performance merited it - we were superb, and in the second half had 2 or 3 great chances to add to the score."

Man of the Match

Isaac Alabi - A powerhouse up and down the Manor right flank.

Manor Team:

1 Michael Wakefield
2 Isaac Alabi
3 Chris Barratt 
4 Carl Bailey
5 Neil Barratt 
6 Michael Marin (replaced by number 15)
7 Paul Marin
8 Dean Frett (c)
9 Richard Simpson (replaced by number 12)
10 Danny Clarke - 1  
11 Tom Nyama (replaced by number 14)

12 Danny Alleyne
13 Jamie Merralls
14 Manny Sackey
15 Joe Nightingill
16 Andrew Gibbons