Eton Manor's recent revival was haulted in resounding fashion by an impressive Takleley performance. The visitors included former Manor player Michael Georghiou in midfield and the home side made just one change from the team that won at Barkingside last week with Manny Sackey replacing Tom Nyama.

The game was immediately end to end and open and both teams had early set pieces which flashed across the opposition box. And it was from a set piece that the visitors took the lead on the quater hour. Alex Martin rose to flick on a corner at the near post and it looped onto the far post and dropped into the net.

Takeley were now buzzing and the Manor, despite their recent good run seemed nervous and lacking in confidence. However, Dean Frett almost forced home an equaliser in a goalmouth scramble following a corner and Daniel Clarke spun the visitors defence but chose to shoot from a tight angle when a pull back seemed the better option.

Takeley immediately took advantage of this let off and some more lethargic Manor defending allowed Joe Galsworthy to double the lead. The Manor then lost the inform Chris Barratt to injury and attempted to take a more positive approach introducing forward Ed Chibogu.

However, 3 minutes before the break Takeley put the game beyond the home side. A mistake by Manny Sackey on the Manor right allowed Galdsworthy in again and he pulled the ball across for Williams to slide home.

The home side came out with more desire in the second half and for the most part they pinned the visitors in their own half. Michael Marin flashed in a cross that was just too high for Danny Clarke, and Dean Frett beat the keeper only to see his effort hacked off the line. Marin then forced the visiting keeper into a good save and from the resulting corner Pauk Marin almost squeezed a shot in at the near post.

However, the threat of the Takleley counter attack remained and when the referee twice blocked Manor clearences Joe Galdsworthy took advantage to slam home a 4th.

Manor Manager Kevin Durrant was furious at the final whistle, he said: "We threw this result away with a terrible first half. We were so slack it was untrue. A soft set piece and two defensive errors meant that the game was gone. Takleley played well and took full advantage - but we cannot play like we did in the first half. That was a million miles away from where we were at Barkingside last week. what we must do now is respond and get another run going."

Man of the Match

Michael Marin - The Manor's most creative outlet.

Manor Team:

1 Michael Wakefield
2 Manny Sackey (replaced by number 15)
3 Chris Barratt (replaced by number 16)
4 Carl Bailey
5 Neil Barratt 
6 Michael Marin
7 Paul Marin
8 Dean Frett (c)
9 Richard Simpson (replaced by number 14)
10 Danny Clarke
11 Issac Alabi

12 Danny Alleyne
13 Jamie Merralls
14 Joe Nightingill
15 Tom Nyama
16 Ed Chibogu