Opening day of the season and the Manor at Home to Hullbridge Sports. The expectations are high at the Manor this year, with Hullbridge finishing last in the ESL last Season, 3 points was on the cards for the Braves, however, Hullbridge have regrouped and look a completely different outfit from last year. A solid defence complemented with a lively and talkative midfield made the Manor work from the first whistle.

The Braves wearing their new home kit for the first time tried to take the game to Hullbridge, using the flanks to break down a resilient defence, only to find a Hullbridge defending in packs and cancelling out any danger before the Manor got within 25 yards of the Hullbrigde goal.

Billy Powell looking lively coming close in the early stages of the game from a set piece, just sending his shot wide of the outstretched arms of Trevor Ding The Hullbridge keeper.

The first 15 minutes was a scrappy affair with neither side really making any impact or threatening to score! The Braves struggling to keep possession as Hullbridge hit on the break, thankfully for the Manor, Mr 110% Tony Marsh was on his game today, battling for every ball and taking the pressure away from the Manor Goal.

Johnny Quinn Manor Skipper is the heart beat within the Manor team, constantly encouraging his team forward, offering support where its most needed, came close to putting the Braves ahead in the 29th minute, but for Trevor Ding palming the ball away to safety.

The remainder of the first half continued to be scrappy, neither side really penetrating or causing any danger.

Into the second period and the game stepped up a gear. Hullbridge looking more composed, keeping the ball on the ground and playing the passing game, the Manor seem to respond to the quality play and the game bursts into life.

Tony Marsh again, worth his weight in gold, as he blocks a great effort with his body, from 10 yards out, throwing himself at the ball to dispel any danger.

The Manor's Paul Docherty snatching the ball from the half way line sends a great ball over the retreating defence to Hammond, turning on a sixpence fires his shot over the bar.

Some sloppy defending by the Manor gives a needless corner to Hullbridge, taken quickly puts Manor Keeper Carl Prince under pressure but users his feet to clear his line. Ray Coker bringing the ball to the halfway line, then sending Docherty down the left who plants a high ball into the area, Hammond controls but with his back towards goal plays the ball to Jamie Wallace who's effort goes just over the bar.

Hullbridge having much of their success down the Manor right, Jason McCarthy working hard to keep out any danger but mistimed his challenge which allowed Hullbridge striker Matty Knight deep in the Manor half, Knight feeding a great ball into Carl Papworth who blasts the ball into the Arm of Carl Prince.

The Manor attack this time, Billy Powell the provider for Jamie Wallace using his blistering pace down the right cutting inside and running towards goal, Trevor Ding spotting the danger goes to ground to collect of the feet of Wallace.

60 minutes gone and the best move of the match so far, the ball brought to the half way line by Chris Barratt back from injury, Barratt to Wallace, who switches play to the left and finds Tony Marsh steaming down the wing, Marsh cuts in and sends a neat pass to Docherty who dummy's the ball which lands in the path of Wallace who hits the ball first time, keeper makes a good save.

The Manor make their first substitutes, 63 minutes gone, Alan Griffiths on for Paul Docherty and Adi Skyers on for Billy Powell.

Skyers & Griffiths involvement is immediate, as Griffiths latches on to a great cross by Skyers after some excellent work from Manor's Lee Smith, but heads the ball just over the bar.

Hullbridge corner taken quickly, Marsh spotting the danger, sticking a foot in and came away with the ball up to the half way line sending Jamie Wallace down the right blocked for a Manor Corner. Barratt & Griffiths both jump for the ball with Griffiths nodding if just wide of the post.

Another Manor Substitute, Ryan Baptise on for Chris Hammond. The Manor looking the more likely to score in the closing minutes, Jason McCarthy using his lightning pace to storm down the right, cutting into the centre and was upended by a clumsy tackle. Free kick from 30 yards, Wallace takes, blasts over the bar.

The Manor still working hard to break down Hullbridge in defence, Adi Skyers working the left flank gave the Manor a new edge to their game, but simply could not break down the tough Hullbridge defence.

Quinny down the Hullbridge right, plants a great ball into the box, Alan Griffiths positioned himself well but unable to connect the header cleanly enough as the ball sailed over the bar. The feeling that is wasn't going to be the Manor's day was shared by the entire Manor camp.

Hullbridge have the last attack of the game from a corner, Prince forced to go low to clear any danger.

Manor Man of the Match

Above: Tony Marsh - Quality Defender.

Manor Team: Prince,, Coker, Barratt, Marsh, Quinn (capt), McCarthy, Smith, Wallace, , Docherty(63), Hammond (71), Powell(63) Subs:, Baptiste (71), Elamir, Hunt, Griffiths (63), Skyers (63), Richards, Canham.

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