With Christmas only one week away the Manor play an inform Waltham Abbey side today. The Game kicks off with a strong Sun in the eyes of the Manor Players, and were hit within the first minute of the game, The Abbey's Nicky Burt took a direct free kick and lofts the ball over the head of the Manor Keeper 1-0 to the Abbey.

The Manor restart the game and push the ball wide to the right and into the path of Jamie Wallace, Wallace on a solo run cuts inside to the Abbott's area and blasts the ball into the top corner of the net, 1-1.

Two goals within two minutes and a bizarre start to a game where previously, both sides have had good records in not conceding early!

The Manor press hard, but its The Abbey that found the net again first, Marc Sontag beating Richards to the ball and nods past the Manor keeper making it 2-1 after 11 minutes.

The Manor front men working hard, Lenny Nicholls and Ricky Defreitas using their pace to open up the Abbey Defence, but was met with some resilient defending.

Abbey coming close in the 29th minute Sontag to , Harry Elems who slices an opportunity from close range over the bar.

Jamie Wallace forcing Abbeys on loan keeper Steve Mon'z to pull off a good save, Mon'z having to stay alert to keep the Abbott's in front at the break 2-1 to the Abbey.

Half time and the temperatures drop, now playing in freezing cold conditions, the Manor make their first two substitutes, with Carl Prince replacing injured keeper Steve Richards, and battle worn Terry Hunt off for Jason Lewis.

Abbeys Harry Elmes, spreading the ball wide to Marc Sontag who blasts the ball into the arms of Prince.

56 mins and the Manor take a free kick 30 yards out, Lewis strikes the ball well, however, Mon'z equal to it as he gathers the ball up.

The Manor now having more of the play and come close again, this time Lenny Nicholls bustling his way into the area but that man Mon'z again going low to keep out a fine effort.

Ricky Defreitas using his pace down the left creating an opening for Chris Barratt who heads the ball just over the bar.

Mark Carey playing his first League for the Manor, and proving a good signing for the Club, worked well with Glenn Connolly to produce some quality runs down the right.

Manor's Charlie Tarten looking assertive in the middle of the park sends a divine ball into the path of Tony Marsh down the left, Marsh squares to Lewis and then to Defreitas who shoots from 35 yards and bullets just over the bar. The Manor men now full of convenience look desperate to equalise, using that never say die spirit that has won them many accolades from other camps within the ESL continue to drive forward.

Tarten collecting the ball from the half way line rounds to defenders and shots from long range, Mon'z competently dealing with any threat.

Defreitas and Nicholls combing well, which results in Mon'z down low to scoop the ball from the Manor strikers feet.

Abbeys Elmes brothers, Harry & Jamie, producing some quality moments for the green hoops, and lead the charge for Abbeys third goal, when Harry Elmes, sent an inch perfect ball over the top of the manor defence to the feet of Marc Sontag who took his goal well making it 3-1 the Abbey.

Abbey now stepping it up a gear and start to take the game to the Manor, Jamie Elmes shots from Close range, Manor's Carl Prince pulling off a fine save to his right.

Abbeys Nicky Burt takes another free kick Prince again on hand to push the ball out of play.

Jamie Warren on for Jamie Wallace, Warren straight into the action, holds off an attack by Jamie Elmes and clears for a corner, in the process, turns sharply and decollates his shoulder, Warren in obvious pain is treated off the pitch by Manor Physio Sue Abercrombie.

(NB Jamie was taken to hospital and received first Class medical attention, Jamie is fine and currently doing well. Jamie being a tough character will be back in a Manor shirt soon. We would like to thank everyone who assisted with helping Jamie, in particular the Manor Physio Sue Abercrombie who acted swiftly and efficiently to ensure that Jamie was kept warm and comfortable whilst he waited for the ambulance to arrive)

The Manor now down to 10 men having used all their substitutes, hold off the Abbey for the remaining minutes of the game. The Abbey proved again today, that they are young team now coming of age, some fine individual performances from the Abbott's was the difference on the day.

'The Manor men playing well as a unit and there's no doubt, that if Whitelock can keep this band of players together good things will come form them. A real guts and steal performance form the Manor men today, Lead by Manor Man of the Match & Skipper Steve Reading, who gave absolutely everything today, always motivating & always encouraging. The Manor can count themselves unlucky not to have stole at least a point from the game.

On behalf of everyone connected with Eton Manor Football Club, we Wish you and your Families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Manor Man of the Match

Steve Reading

Manor Team: Richards, Connolly,Barratt, Reading (Capt), Marsh, Tarten, Carey, Wallace, Nicholls, Hunt, Defreitas, Subs: Prince, Lewis, Hammond, Smith, Warren.

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