The Manor really fancied their chance against Ryman 2 opposition Kingsbury Town, but once again the best laid plans.

Without 5 key players, the Manor’s starting line up still looked very impressive and seemed to be strong enough to take the spoils on the day.

From the off, Manor looked to have settled quicker than the visitors, and when a ball from Coleman found Wallace in some space an early goal looked on the cards, but his shot went just over the bar with the keeper well beaten.

Kingsbury slowly crept back into the game and were unlucky not to take the lead when their striker chipped Stephen Richards only to see the ball bounce on top of the bar. Both sides were trying to win the midfield battle and the game was becoming scrappy with most attacks breaking down.

Manor’s Danny Mercer set-up the next chance as he slipped a great through ball into the path of Liam Coleman, but the visitor’s keeper gathered well at his feet. Manor Skipper Steve Reading was again proving just how valuable he has become to the side this season, winning every aerial challenge and making crucial tackles when needed.

At the other end, striker Danny Hunt was causing a few problems and when Paul Docherty slipped a ball into his path a goal looked certain, but Hunt just failed to reach the ball and the chance went begging.

The deadlock was finally broken, a long ball over the top caught the home defence ball watching, keeper Richards also misjudged the flight of the ball and Kingsbury’s lone striker tapped into an empty net. This seemed to bring the game to life and Manor had 4 good chances to pull level through Reed, Docherty, Wallace and Reed again, but all attempts were either blocked or went wide. So 1-0 at the break and still all to play for, even more so when at the start of the second half Manor forced a corner, Wallace whipped in a great ball and there was captain Steve Reading rising at the far post to head home the equaliser. 1-1 and Manor started to really dominate the play for the first time in the game, unfortunately this was short lived as Williams brought down a Kingsbury player in the box as was duly sent off for denying a goal scoring opportunity.

2-1 down and reduced to 10 men, the visitors looked to capitalise on the Manor’s misfortune and with another 2 quick goals put the game out of reach, and ended Manor’s vase hopes for this season.

MOM went to Steve Reading, didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.

Manor Man of the Match

Steve Reading

Manor Team: Richards, Morley, Reading, Williams, M.Marsh, Mercer, Docherty, Wallace, Coleman, Reed, D.Hunt. Subs: Skyers, Baptiste, T.Hunt, Day, Jenkins.

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