The Braves were thankful to be able to get a game under their belt and The Sawbo pitch was in first class condition considering the inclement weather we have had.

The Manor stared brightly and a couple of decent chances early on, one effort in particular should have been put away by Danny Clarke, given his experience and ability, but his lobbed effort was off target with the keeper stranded. The Braves were on top at this stage and with the fitter George Durrant pulling the strings in midfield, Clarke was soon set up again and on his way to rounding the keeper was upended and from the resultant penalty he finished in style to put the visitors 1 up.

Shortly after this the game was turned on its head by a poor decision by referee Ako to red card Mike Marin after he attempted to fend off an assault by the Sawbo striker who rightly got his marching orders.

The Braves never really recovered from this injustice and on the stroke of half time the defence failed to clear out and Sawbo notched the equaliser.
After half time the Braves regrouped and both sides went for the winner with decent football being played all around. It was plain to see though that the Manor were lacking in fitness compared to their opponents and maybe should have shut up shop and settled for the point.

Right near the end of 90 minutes the Braves had two great chances to steal the victory but spurned both. Firstly Alan Browne could only lob the ball into the keepers hands when the net was gaping, and then Paul Marin also shot straight at the keeper when well placed. Deep into time added on, 7 minutes in fact, a disputed corner saw the Manor defence go walkabout and Sawbo were gifted a winner.

Manor First Team Coach Paul Norris was philosophical after the game. He said: "It's disappointing to lose to a goal so late in the game, it's happened a few times this season, and it doesn't get any easier to take. However, we must remember that we came here today with 4 players suspended and a couple out injured. Sometimes in those circumstances you've got to look at a point say 'we'll take that' and hold what you've got a bit. Maybe we were a bit to gung-ho late in the game. It did get very stretched. The big positive for us today is seeing Nick Wilson get on the field for us for the first time since he broke his ankle in pre-season. We now have 2 very fine goalkeepers at the club and it will be a healthy competition going forward."

Man of the Match

George Durrant - Controlled display in the centre of the field.

Manor Team:

1 Michael Wakefield (replaced by number 13)
2 Alan Browne
3 Chris Barratt
4 Carl Bailey (c)
5 Neil Barratt
6 Michael Marin
7 Paul Marin
8 George Durrant 
9 Lloyd Butler
10 Danny Clarke - 1 (replaced by number 12)
11 Courtney Linton 

12 Tony Hadley
13 Nick Wilson
14 Paul Norris
15 Andrew Gibbons