The Manor start brightly, with Paul Docherty back from injury and contributing towards the first attack of the game, setting up Steve Whitelock in front of goal who mistimed his shot. David Jenkins Player coach looking as fit as ever back into the Manor fold after a spell at Clapton playing his normal role at right back looked accomplished on the ball.

4 minutes gone and B&P have their first corner, brilliantly cleared by The Manor's Prosper Lobe, who releases Glenn Connolly away on the left hand-side running towards goal with the ball at his feet shoots wide of the post. Early warning signs that the Manor were up for this game.

11 minutes and the Manor looking the more threatening in the early stages, Tony Barnes breaking down a B&P attack with a fabulous sliding tackle. 12 minutes This time Manor Striker Chris Hammond collecting the ball just inside the opposition half and heads towards goal, shoots Trevor Wickens Bowers keeper and hero of their midweek success against Maldon Town scoops the ball up.

14 minutes and another B&P corner this time Carl Prince commanding his line comes to collect. The Manor back four really looking in control, Jenkins, Barnes, Marsh and Morritt showing good understanding and awareness of one another.

22 minutes and B&P come close after The Manor loose possession in midfield, Neil Marron down the right hand-side cutting inside and laying the ball to the feet of Anthony Reeves who shots just wide of the post. 24 minutes and The Manor's best chance of the game so far was a fabulous 50 yard through ball from Joe Morritt right into the path of Whitelock who shoots straight at the keeper. 25 minutes and Hammond sends a beautiful ball into the B&P area Connolly smashing his shot keeper saves.

B&P come close in the 31st minute when the ball laid to the feet of Mark Barry who's shot was deflected out for a corner by Marsh.

42 minutes and Chris Hammond playing some great one touch football set himself up for an half chance from 30 yards that went over the bar.

44 minutes and another B&P Corner initially cleared by Marsh only as far a the waiting pack of B&P midfield players, scrabble through the Manor defence and Danny Vile popped up to score the Opener 1-0 to Bowers & Pitsea.

45 minutes The Manor clearly shocked by the B&P goal acting as a wake up call sent the ball down the right hand-side where Prosper Lobe collected and ran to the by-line, sending a great ball across goal to the waiting feet of Steve Whitelock who stroked the ball into the back of the net. 1-1.

The second half and thoughts went back to Wednesday nights game at Tilbury against Saw'bo when the fog stated to drift across the pitch and the game nearly abandoned, no such thing today but as the fog drifted over the pitch, the game was still very much playable and both teams feeling 3 points were on the cards.

The first real chance was in the 63rd minute after some great build up play B&P found themselves running towards goal down the left, the ball floated on to the head of Stuart Fergus and Carl Prince having to make a spectacular save from point blank range, palming it over the bar! Prince collecting the corner and sending the ball long to Hammond as he ran at goal and from 30 yards let fly a bullet which went just wide of the post.

65 minutes and B&P again attacking the Manor in numbers down the middle and Danny Vile making Carl Prince work hard with a brilliant one handed save.

68 minutes and the deadlock nearly broken when Connolly was fed a great ball from Jenkins, Connolly carrying the ball past the half way line and sends a superb ball to Hammond with his back against the goal tries an over head kick which just creeps over the bar.

72 minutes B&P cut off by some great understanding between Tony Barnes and David Jenkins set the Manor up for another attack as Young Steve Whitelock who had not stopped running all game sent his shot over the bar. Paul Docherty commanding the midfield had a go also as he tried to surge solo into the B&P area but was cut off by some brilliant defending by Paul Lander.

76 minutes and the game hotting up, B&P attack down the middle and Marsh clears the ball off the line.

77 Minutes Hammond again this time down the right and heading towards goal let loose a fierce shot and hits the side netting!

80 minutes and Lobe booked for a clumsy challenge.

82 minutes and Glenn Connolly attacking down the left twisting and turning the B&P defence shoots just wide of the post.

87 minutes and B&P attack this time Mike Hart working hard in the middle sent a great ball into the Manor area Marsh once again clearing the ball off the line for a corner!

An absolutely cracking game, both sides showing great attitudes. Some confusing moments in the game as the officials didn't seem to communicate and the referee ignoring his linesman on more than one occasion caused some sour moments, but all in all the players appeared to rise above these issues.

Special mentions to the whole team today, Marshy who saved the Manor on a number of occasions and makes a difference in the Manor defence. Big Tony Barnes who appears to be getting better and better as he's fitness levels grow. David Jenkins back to the Manor after a long spell at Clapton is looking fit and healthy. Chris Hammond this young striker is one to watch out for in the future. The evergreen Paul Docherty has a great attitude and leads by example. Glenn Connolly proving once again he is a natural winger, he has speed and a fabulous touch that makes a difference. Carl Prince commanding keeper rated one of the best in the ESL. And the Young guns The Manor Manager again giving the captaincy to Bradley Mills 17 years of age and already showing leadership quality, didn't particularly have his best game today but still recovering from flu, shows what a great attitude he has, Joe Morritt works so hard down the left and set the Manor up time and time again, Prosper Lobe not his best game today but set Whitelock up for the equaliser a real power house on his day, and finally The Manor Man of the match Steve Whitelock, this kid has waited nearly a full season to break into the first team, patiently waiting for his opportunity to show what he can do, scored again today and did not stop running the whole 90 minutes.

Manor Man of the Match goes to Steve Whitelock Scored in the first half to square things up plus gave 100% Commitment.

Steve Whitelock Manor Man of the Match

Scorers : Bowers & Pitsea Danny Vile (44) Eton Manor Whitelock (45)

Team: Bowers & Pitsea: Wickens, Swindells, Lander, Parkes, Birkett, Vile, Marron, Fergus, Reeves, Barry, Hart. Subs: Hardy, Bourne.

Team: Manor: Prince, Jenkins, Barnes, Marsh, Mills, Docherty, Morritt, Lobe, Hammond, Whitelock, Connolly. Subs: Richards, Jones, Fulbrook, Barrett, Jones, McDonald.

Next game is at Home to Barkingside in the Essex Senior League on Saturday 8th January 05 kick off at 3pm.