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The Manor came
into this game knowing that only a win would be enough
to give them a good chance of reaching the next stage
of the competition. The Braves had both Danny Clarke
and Joe May back in their starting line up and Chris
Barrett slotted into left back with Danny Alleyne at
right back.
On a bone hard pitch it was the home side that started
the brighter and a good early opportunity was missed
by them when an excellent cross was headed straight
into the arms of the Manor keeper. For 15 minutes or
so the visitors struggled to get some shape and pattern
into their play on a very lively pitch. Danny Clarke
did have the ball into the net only to be pulled up
for offside. Some fluency was now evident in the Braves
football and the excellent Joe May made a typical classy
run down the left flank and he played in Clarke to put
the Braves in front. Straight after this a smart save
by the Manor keeper.
Then great crossfield
ball from the industrious Scott Lovett to Tom Nyama
allowed the Manor wingman to get in a cross that was
cut out by the home keeper to deny the predatory Danny
Clarke. Neither side really created much for a while
as both midfields battled for supremacy. With half time
fast approaching a speculative free kick from the home
side somehow eluded the Braves keeper to level up the
scores. HALF TIME 1-1.
After the break
both sides looked to gain the upper hand and skipper
Dean Frett netted for the visitors only to be ruled
offside. Shortly after this the Braves keeper had to
be at his best to save a fierce long range free kick
after the visitors had conceded another free kick in
a dangerous area. Up until now wing man Tom Nyama had
been defending more than attacking but he soon put this
to right as he collected the ball just inside the Basildon
half, cut inside, skipped past a bemused defence and
slotted the ball past the home keeper to score a brilliant
goal and restore the advantage for the Braves.
Not to be outdone
the home side forced another good save from the Manor
keeper whilst at the other end Nyama shot over when
played in by the combative Sid Nelson. The visitors
looked in control now against a fading home side who
started to concede free kicks. From one of these, Manor
specialist Joe May stepped up to curl a superb ball
into the top left hand of the goal with the home keeper
well beaten. 3-1 to the Manor. At this stage Manager
Kevin Durrant introduced his substitutions with a view
to closing out the game. However, Basildon were still
looking dangerous on the break and a lack of concentration
by the Manor central defence allowed the home side a
late consolation goal right on the stroke of full time.
Manor Manager Kevin Durrant and his staff were delighted
with the win albeit a little displeased to concede a
late consolation goal.
Man
of the Match
Joe May
- Silky skills down the left flank.
Manor
Team:
1 Michael Wakefield
2 Danny Alleyne
3 Chris Barratt
4 Richard Simpson
5 Neil Barratt
6 Sid Nelson
7 Joe May - 1 (replaced by number 12)
8 Dean Frett (c)
9 Danny Clarke - 1 (replaced by number 16)
10 Scott Lovett (replaced by number 15)
11 Tom Nyama - 1
12 Ryan Lynch
13 Jamie Merralls
14 Tony Hadley
15 Paul Marin
16 Courtney Linton
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