The Manor continued their fine run with this comprehensive win 5-0, in the ESL League Cup 1/4 Final first Leg against a much changed Tiptree FC.

The Braves were quickly into their stride and it was not long before they almost scored but Danny Clarke was just unable to connect with a great cross from Dean Frett. The Manor were in dominant vein and an early pass from Carl Bailey was pulled back to Tom Nyama whose fine strike was pushed over by the visitors keeper. From the corner Chris Barratt heads on to Danny Clarke who fires home, 1-0 to the Braves. Although the Manor were by now well on top they were again guilty of conceding cheap free kicks and inviting pressure at the back.

Another goal for the Braves soon followed as Danny Clarke finished well after an excellent through ball from Nyama. The Manor front pairing of Clarke and Richard Simpson were linking well and soon the former completed his hat trick when he lobbed the visitors keeper after great work from Michael Marin and Dean Frett set him up. Come the Interval and the Braves were well in control.

After the Break, the Manor were again dominant and a flowing move ended with the ball driven home with a superb strike by Michael Marin , 4-0. The irrepressible Danny Clarke was fouled in the box and stepped up to smash home the penalty, 5-0 to the Braves.

Near misses by Richard Simpson, Paul Marin and Dean Frett could have given the score line an embarrassing look but Tiptree to their credit kept going and could and should have pulled back the deficit when the Manor defence got sloppy and only poor finishing and an excellent save by Michael Wakefield denied them.

Final score, 5-0 to the Braves. Manor Manager Kevin Durrant and his coaches, Nick and Paul were extremely pleased with the outcome and their reverting to the 4-4-2 system is paying massive dividends. As Kevin said "It's only half of the job done. We still have to go to Tiptree and do a professional job. But if we keep playing like this then we can be a real force in both league and cup."

Man of the Match

Danny Clarke - A true strikers performance.

Manor Team:

1 Michael Wakefield
2 Carl Bailey (replaced by number 16)
3 Michael Marin - 1 (replaced by number 15)
4 Chris Barratt
5 Neil Barratt 
6 Isaac Alabi
7 Paul Marin
8 Dean Frett (c)
9 Richard Simpson
10 Danny Clarke - 4 (replaced by number 12) 
11 Tom Nyama 

12 Danny Alleyne
13 Jamie Merralls
14 Ed Chibogu
15 Joe Nightingill
16 Andrew Gibbons