Burnham wasted not time bombarding the Manor defence, almost from the kick off Burnham capitalising from a poor back pass got on to an orphaned ball and smashed the bar from 20 yards.

The Manor hit back, a long cleared ball by Steve Reading to the feet of Glenn Connolly seconded from retirement for this game, down the right hand-side, one touch too many saw the keeper slide out to take it of Connolly's feet.

5 minutes gone and a major blow for the Braves, a lucky bounce into the path of Burnham's No 8, 10 yards from goal, takes his chance well and blasts it past Steve Richards Manor keeper, making it 1-0 to Burnham.

Burnham now looking very comfortable, playing deep in the Manor half playing good one touch football, left the Manor chasing shadows.

Burnham come close, this time a fabulous ball down the left - hand side to the by-line, a great ball across goal was met by Lee Perry who headed wide of the post.

The Manor not allowing Burnham to have it all their own way create some imaginative play themselves, Connolly down the right across goal to the Hardworking Patrick Thompson, finds a few yards and lays the ball off to Lenny Nicholls who rounds the keeper and hits his shot firmly towards goal, Burnham defender slides across goal to clear it off the line.

Burnham immediately hit back again created by Burnham's No 14 down the left, across goal, Richards just doing enough to force the ball over the bar.

The Manor now starting to take control, and enjoy a lengthy spell of possession, Manors Patrick Thompson causing the Burnham defence a few headaches with his blistering pace down the centre, alongside him the industrious Lenny Nicholls playing his first League game for the Braves.

The Manor defence looking more composed, Skipper Reading well organised at the back alongside Chris Barratt, Tony Marsh and Ray Coker who had his work cut out on the left from Burnham's No 7 who had awesome pace.

45th minute of the game and Lenny Nicholls pulled to the ground, free kick is given 35 yards from goal, the ball floated into the box and Jamie Wallace rises high to nod the ball into the top corner of the net to level the score 1-1, Leaving James Redwood Burnham keeper no chance.

The Manor modestly celebrate the goal, almost immediately the whistle is blown to signify the end of the first period of the game.

The second half and the Manor gaining confidence by the minute, the Manor now taking the game to Burnham and looking the more likely to take all three points. Lee Smith and Jamie Wallace combining well to create a half chance for Thompson who races on to the ball and shoots from 20 yards just wide of the post.

The Manor now showing their potential, with some outstanding Football coming from the Braves, this time Wallace and Lewis with some quick succession of one two's which cut through the Burnham defence and results in Wallace having the Ball at his feet on the 18 yard line, Wallace, lays the ball into the path of Nicholls who shoots just wide of the post.

The Manor now in control of the game, Steve Reading Manor Skipper pushing and motivating his Team forward to attack the Burnham goal.

Burnham Corner, Steve Richards punches the ball out to the feet of Jamie Wallace, who spots Thompson on one of his darting runs, Wallace sends the ball high into the Burnham half and right into the path of Thompson, with two defenders in toe Thompson then lays the ball up ready to shoot, James Redwood the Burnham keeper quick to react as he slides out of his goal to steal the ball from under Thompson feet.

With the clock ticking away the Manor nearly grabbing all three points, a great Ball from Tony Marsh to Patrick Thompson who burst through the Burnham defence and clipped the ball over the keeper, as the ball headed towards the back of the net hit the floor and spun away from goal inches from the post.

Thompson again burst into the Burnham half this time Lee Smith the provider, Thompson then becomes the victim of a wrestling body-check as he crumpled to the floor, the referee who had an excellent game today showing a yellow card to the guilty party.

The hardworking Jamie Wallace off for Chris Hammond who takes up the centre forward position and Patrick Thompson drops onto the right hand side for the remainder of the game.

Another Burnham corner thwarted by a determined Manor defence as Chris Barratt brings the ball to safety.

With a few minutes to go Burnham now putting the pressure on, and look the more likely to steal the winner as they bombard the Manor defence time and time again. The Manor now starting to look a bit nervous as they desperately fight to keep Burnham back.

The final whistle goes and relief for the Manor is obvious, a fabulous display of guts and determination from both sides allowed this game to be enjoyable to say the least. End to end battles ensured good value for money.

The Manor have finally proven to themselves that all the hard work and effort is finally paying dividends, Burnham are a very good footballing side and only 100% effort from each Manor player today could have produced such a gutsy display. To cap it all the Manor could have stole all three points had lady luck been on their side.

MOM goes to Patrick Thompson, non-stop running & Commitment the entire game.

Manor Man of the Match

Patrick Thompson

Manor Team: Richards, Barratt, Reading (Capt), Marsh, Coker, Lewis, Smith, Wallace, Nicholls, Thompson, Connolly. Subs: Prince, Jenkins, Chester, Hammond, Jones,

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