Two old East-end Football Clubs fight it out on a frosty Tuesday night in the first round of the Thames-side Trophy. Johnny Quinn Eton Manor's midfield dynamo back from a lengthy spell out, slots in comfortably, what he lacks in match fitness he makes up for in pure determination.

Clapton playing their League Football in Ryman Two look to take the earlier initiative, pushing forward in groups and using their physical size to gain some distance into the Manor half.

Chris Hammond comes close from a free kick 30 yards out the ball bouncing wide of the upright.

Manor's Carl Prince called into action and proving worthy of the No 1 jersey, when he palms a low shot around the post.

Clapton surge into the Manor half Steve Reading Manor Skipper knocking the ball out for a Clapton Corner, the ball driven in to the danger area, Manor's 6ft 3in defender Chris Barratt clears the danger well.

Some tough challengers going in by Clapton leave a trial of Manor men on their backs sustaining injuries.

Ricky Defreitas creating havoc in the Clapton half, upended 25 yards out, Chris Hammond steps up and blast his effort over the bar.

Quinny linking well with Charlie Tarten who sends a great ball into the path of Hammond who hits a great shot just wide.

Prince again showing safe hands from a efficient Clapton strikeforce. Prince punches out to safety.

Clapton start to step it up a gear and use bully boy tactics to gain advantage, the game is held up whilst The Manor Physio Sue Abercrombie, despite, feeling extremely unwell herself, offers treatment on the pitch to the players, the Referee proving a little to lenient on some of the challenges!

Ricky Defreitas coming close from some great work by Tarten and Glenn Connolly who collects the ball wide on the left and attacks Clapton, sending in a great pass into the path of Defreitas, but the Clapton keeper alert and goes to ground to rob the Manor of their chance.

At this stage of the game Clapton look in command of the game and appear the more threatening to score. Clapton able to keep more possession start to dominate the game.

Clapton keeping the Braves back by using the offside trap effectively every-time. Clapton open their account in the dieing minutes of the first half, skipping the ball past Prince making it 1-0 to the home side.

A nasty challenge from behind on Manors Johnny Quinn looks to finish his contribution to the game as he is replaced by inform Lee Smith.

Clapton certainly taking the spoils in the first half and deservedly 1-0 up, the start of the second half Clapton still using the same physical technique, Whitelock obviously having a word with his boys during the break, called for more aggression plus looked to change the team formation, now playing 3 up front the Manor looking very capable going forward, this proving true when the Manor men came out second half with more venom in their play, the Manor looked to control their aggression which just left Clapton men retaliating to the officials!

Manor new boy Jamie Warren on for the injured Terry Hunt, free kick driven into the Clapton area sees Skipper Steve Reading tuck the ball home from close range making it 1-1 and game on.

Clapton break straight from the kick off Tony Marsh proving solid, knocks the ball out for a corner. Prince dealing with the corner admirably.

Clapton continue to probe the Manor defence, Barratt and Reading dealing with the threat efficiently.

Clapton take a free kick in their own half, the Manor allowing far to much room and playing to deep in their own half, stand and watch as Clapton find a few yards and hit the back of the net making it 2-1.

The Manor now playing some flowing football send a fabulous ball over the top of a departing Clapton's defence, straight into the path of Manor front man Chris Hammond who'd seemingly without looking up blasted a 30+ yard shot straight into the net 2-2.

With the clock ticking down the game goes into extra time, the Manor looking favourites at this stage with wave after wave of attacks, Ricky Defreitas coming close in the last few mins of the first period of ET when working his magic down the right deep into the area, shoots and the keeper making an acrobatic save.

Into the second period and it continues all Manor, Jamie Warren blasts a great shot the Clapton keeper making a truly spectacular save to his left to keep the score level. Chris Hammond replaced by Neil Day who battles hard to win possession at every opportunity.

The Manor finish the half with a flurry of chances, but, unable to find that killer blow, the game looking more and more certain to go into penalties when, out of the blue the Manor break free of a chasing pack, Jason Lewis on a one with the keeper on the edge of the area was upended, calls from both benches not to send the Clapton player off was ignored by the referee who used the rule book to straight red the player for a last man offence.

The Manor men huddle over the ball as they line-up the free kick, each one of the 3 players over the ball were more than capable of scoring from this position, two Manor men fake over the ball leaving Chris Barratt to crush his shot past a solid wall of defenders and into the net.

The goal celebrations were legendary and it was obvious how much this local derby meant to both sets of players and to the supporters alike.

The final whistle blows and the Manor men can take much delight from this game, falling behind twice and still managing to nick a result is absolute testament to the way Whitelock has got his team focused. The celebrations within the dressing room where what memories are made of and its great to see a Manor side look so determined.

Onto Southend Manor on Saturday, Southend currently on a very good run will prove to be another good test for the Braves spirit.

Man of the Match goes to Chris Barratt for a stern defensive performance and a great goal to see the Manor through to the next round of the Thames-side Trophy.

Manor Man of the Match

Chris Barratt

Manor Team: Prince, Barratt, Reading (Capt), Marsh, Tarten, Lewis, Quinn, Hammond, Hunt, Defreitas, Connolly. Subs: Richard, Warren, Day, Jenkins, Warren, Smith.

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