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The Braves continued
their fine run with this comprehensive win at high flying
Basildon United. The Manor were without first choice
goalkeeper Michael Wakefield so Jamie Merralls deputised.
At the back, work commitments meant that Neil Barratt
was only able to arrive at the game in time for a place
on the bench, which resulted in Chris Barratt sliding
to centre half and Michael Marin dropping to full back
which allowed Isaac Alabi to return from suspension
on the right of midfield. The absences of Danny Clarke,
Courtney Linton and Scott Lovett forced the versatile
Richard Simpson into action as a striker.
On a well grasses
but uneven pitch both sides struggled early on to take
control. The visitors appeared to have a fair shout
for a penalty when Carl Bailey was flattened in the
box but this was waved away by the referee.
Basildon seemed to be prepared to go the direct route
whereas the Braves tried to pass the ball around to
effect an opening. After 15 minutes of unremarkable
play the game exploded into life as an incisive pass
from Michael Marin was controlled by Richard Simpson
and he flipped the ball over a home defender and as
the ball fell, volleyed a superb strike into the roof
of the net.
The visitors
went further ahead when an intelligent diagonal ball
from Carl Bailey picked out Tom Nyama who jinked away
from a Basildon defender, laid the ball to the industrious
Simpson and his lay back was driven home by Paul Marin
from 20 yards, a great team goal. The home side were
now stung into action and when Essex Senior League top
scorer Wes Bocking found himself free in the box only
a good save by the Braves keeper, Jamie Merralls kept
out his looping header. The Manor defence now had to
endure a torrid 15 minutes as a succession of stupidly
given away free kicks enabled Basildon the opportunity
to try and exploit their height advantage at these dead
ball situations. The Braves held firm albeit without
one or two close misses and were well worth their 2
goal advantage at half time.
After the break,
a curiously flat Basildon continued their reliance on
direct play but their huffing and puffing did not lead
to any chances of note. Manor striker Ed Chibugo had
to depart injured after a good shift up front and was
replaced by Neil Barrett.
Shortly after this, another needless free kick was conceded
by the Braves and Basildon went very close with a free
header just wide. This was the wake up call the Braves
needed and another quality ball fom Carl Bailey up to
Richard Simpson was controlled down the right flank
and then laid up to Neil Barrett who cooly passed the
ball past the beaten home keeper to put the Manor 3
up. The Manor defence now had the absolute measure of
the home attack and this dominance against sporadic
attacks release the Manor playmakers in Midfield to
further control the game and it was no surprise when
this pressure led to another Braves corner from which
the dangerous Neil Barret crashed a great header against
the bar.
The home side
battled on though and the Manor keeper had to be at
his best to tip over a good effort from a home striker.
The Manor defence cleared out the corner and with full
time approaching the ball was collected by the superb
Richard Simpson who set up Tom Nyama to round off the
scoring.
Manor Manager and his team were delighted with the result
against the team in 2nd place in the League. Kevin said.
"I have players coming back for the 1st leg 1/4
final against Tiptree next Saturday and the way the
lads played today now gives me some serious but healthy
selection problems."
Man
of the Match
Richard
Simpson - Used his experience to give the
home defence a torrid afternoon.
Manor
Team:
1 Jamie Merralls
2 Manny Sackey
3 Michael Marin
4 Carl Bailey
5 Chris Barratt
6 Isaac Alabi (replaced by number 12)
7 Paul Marin - 1
8 Dean Frett (c)
9 Richard Simpson - 1 (replaced by number 16)
10 Ed Chibogu (replaced by number 14)
11 Tom Nyama - 1
12 Danny Alleyne
14 Neil Barratt - 1
15 Tony Hadley
16 Andrew Gibbons
17 George Durrant
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