London APSA start the more lively forcing Carl Prince to make a low dive to his right in the early minutes of the game. 5 minutes gone and Manor get a free kick 30 yards out, Jay Felice takes it quick, into the arms of the APSA keeper.

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9 minutes and APSA still looking sharp on the ball, but the Manor defence using the offside trap to contain this enthusiastic APSA team.

10 minutes and APSA sprint off down the Manor left, cutting into the penalty area, Chris Barratt judged to have brought down the APSA player as the ball seemly was going out of play, referee waved play on but the linesman flagging for a penalty? The Referee immediately then pointing to the spot?? APSA score to the right of Prince who went the right way but was unable to stop the powerful strike.

14 minutes and the Manor trying hard to dominant the game, The Manor skipper Jon Quinn vocally encouraging the Braves forward.

18 minutes and young Steve Whitelock 30 yards out keeps the ball at his feet, moves the ball to his right and finds some room to let fly a shot, saved by the Keeper.

20 minutes and David Dowling playing his first game in the Essex Senior League for a few years showed real guts and determination as he pushed forward. David not playing in his normal role showed tremendous attitude as he encouraged and battled for most of the opening period.

26 minutes and the evergreen Manor defender Tony Marsh having much work to do as APSA seemed more comfortable playing down the Manor right. Marsh showing real steel as he thwarted APSA's attack time and time again.

29 minutes and the Manor come close to an equaliser. Whitelock again always strong with the ball at his feet dribbled past the last line of defence and without looking up hit a 20 yard rocket towards goal, APSA in disarray as the ball flew towards goal, APSA defender just got a foot in the way to clear what looked like a certain goal.

34 minutes and APSA down the left looking to sniff out their second, Steve Reading cutting off any danger.

39 minutes, Nicky Mitchell marshalling his back four having to work really hard to contain a lively APSA strike-force.

40 minutes and Dowling this time down the left shoots keeper saves.

43 minutes and APSA finish the game as they started trying to breakdown a resilient Manor defence, came close when they broke free of a packed midfield, only for Tony Marsh to sweep across and clear the danger.

First half fairly even game, with the ball being played mainly in the centre of the park, some flashes of brilliance from both sides with both keepers not really featuring in the game.

The second period and the Manor appear to get their second wind as they dominate large chunks of the game. The Braves looking more composed on the ball and showing more confidence going forward.

50 minutes Prosper Lobe on for David Dowling.

54 minutes and the Braves showing more urgency about their game as Quinny becomes even more vocal then normal as he encourages his team to attack.

58 minutes Manor come close as Glenn Connolly skips down the ASPA right hand-side, lifting the ball high into the penalty area on to the head of Lobe who nods the ball down to his right and into the path of Whitelock who shoots just over the bar from close range!

59 minutes gone and Connolly again with the ball at his feet decides to go it alone, cutting from the right and shoots from 30 yards wide of the post!

64 minutes and Chris Barratt replaced by Danny Beattie.

68 minutes and APSA this time go forward as they capitalise from a Manor error in midfield, only to shot wide of the post.

70 minutes The Manor take a free kick on to the foot of Bradley Mills who blasts the ball over the bar!

72 minutes and the skipper Quinny hits a 30 yard rocket into the arms of the keeper.

75 minutes and APSA break free down the Manor right, Steve Reading sweeps in with a tremendous sliding tackle and comes away with the ball at his feet.

77 minutes and the Manor looking like an equaliser is on the cards. Quinny running towards the APSA goal shrugs off two defenders and sends a 30 yard rocket towards goal just skims the bar.

79 minutes Manor take another corner Mills lifting the ball on to the head of Lobe just wide of the post.

80 minutes and Jay Felice this time working hard up front has his chance, blasts the ball just wide.

84 minutes and Chris Hammond of for Steve Whitelock.

The Manor finish with a flurry of attemps on goal, but APSA coming closest to score when they once again broke free one on one with Carl Prince rounds the keeper and slots the ball towards goal. Jon Quinn with great anticipation reads the situation and falls behind his stranded keeper to clear the ball off the line.

It must be said that this APSA team is quick and lively. The Club has benefited from an injection of enthusiasm from their new and experienced Manager John Higley. John is getting them to play high tempo and with some urgency. Their squad has hardly changed in the last year but you could be fooled into thinking that this is a new team of players. They chase every ball and do not give the opposition a chance to sit back. Full credit to APSA and their new Manager.

The Manor however, can take many plus's from the game. The Braves look an incredibly strong outfit. The defence and midfield are well organised and creative. however, sadly lacking in scoring seems to be the biggest downfall.

Manor Man of the Match Tony Marsh Proved why he is called Mr 100%.

Above: Tony Marxh

Team: Manor: Prince, Reading, Marsh, Barratt, Mitchell, Connolly, Quinn (Capt) Whitelock, Mills,Felice, Dowling. Subs: Richards, Docherty, Beattie, Lobe, Hammond.

Next game is away to Barking & East Ham in the Thameside Trophy on Wednesday 26th January Kick off at 19:45pm.