The first half saw a pretty tight game, both sides defending and counter attacking well. Bowers started the better testing The Manor Keeper Carl Prince at every opportunity and hitting the bar after 5 minutes from a 30 yard free kick. Bowers reward came from an obscure penalty decision after 15 minutes 0-1 to Bowers. Manor playing the off side trap kept the game level until the 29th minute when Barrett defending well sent the ball up field to Cove who played a curved ball into Connolly who rounded the keeper to make 1-1. Bowers hitting straight back with force and scored their 2nd with 41 minutes on the clock. Manor come close to equalise twice before the break, Quinn going alone down the middle shooting wide of the post, and Durrant taking on two defenders pulling the ball wide of the keeper and shot over the bar! 1-2 at the break and a very enjoyable game to watch first half.

Second period saw the Manor using the flanks to break down the Bowers defence. Smith coming close to equalising when he collected the ball from Barrett on the right charged down the wing cut in and fired the ball just over the bar again 53 minutes on the clock the ball passed down the right from Scales to Connolly who put a great pass to Durrant who then put the ball just wide of the post.

58 minutes gone and Durrant chasing a 50/50 ball both players tackling hard and Durrant getting his second yellow of the game!! The echo's from the Bowers bench encouraging the referee to send off the Manor player could be heard around the Ground constantly all night!
63 minutes gone and Quinn losing the ball in midfield lead to Bowers third goal.

Manor down to 10 men still forcing Bowers to defend, the encouragement of the Manor Skipper Gary Scales who was an inspiration all night. Delroy Forde came close when he collected the ball from midfield and surged into the Bowers box only to fire over the bar! Again a poor decision by the referee lead to much frustration felt by the Manor players all night caused Quinn to get into Conversations with the Ref and was given his marching orders with a straight red!! The Manor now down to 9 men! Bowers found is easy to knock the ball around the park and left the Manor players chasing ghosts. 78 minutes gone and Bowers collected the ball from the half way line and launched a hit and hope ball forward which landed luckily in front of a Bowers player who made it 1-4. Bowers break through again sending a hopeful ball towards Prince who was under pressure came to collect the ball just outside his box seemed to try and chest it away but the referee again getting out his red card as he felt prince hand balled it outside his area! Manor having played all their subs could not bring on their second keeper Steve Richards, instead the Skipper Gary Scales put the green jersey on.

The Manor now down to 8 men had it all to do. Bowers kept the ball deep in the Manor half but was met with gutsy performance from the Manor Brave. 85 minutes gone and the referee seeing a challenge by a Manor player on the edge of the box and gave Bowers their 2nd penalty of the evening. 1-5 to Bowers, shortly followed by the 6th goal for Bowers!

A really disappointing night considering the potential of the game at half time. The other disappointments of the evening was the Bowers management constantly encouraging the referee to send off or book a Manor player on every challenged. This seemed to have an affect on this newly appointed referee to the ESL.

A report will be submitted to the FA and ESL Board by the Manor about the poor standard of refereeing and the unsporting behaviour of the Bowers Management.

The ESL Chairmen thankfully was at the game to witness what can only be described as a farce!

The Manor must now pick up their chins and face Enfield Town on Saturday.

Manor MOM : Gary Scales - Inspirational

The Manor's next game is against Enfield Town at Tilbury FC on Saturday 21st August Kick off 3:00pm.

Team: Prince, Scales, Mitchell, Barrett, Smith, Quinn, L.Whitelock, Connolly, Durrant, Forde,Cove, Subs :Pamplin, Anniss, Jenkins, Fulbrook, Richards, Morris, Armstrong.