Bad luck struck twice for the Manor today when Glenn Connolly pulled up before the start of the game with a twisted ankle then Manor's midfield dynamo Charlie Tarten also twisting his ankle 2 minutes into the start of the game and was replaced by Manor youngster Dean Pearson.

The Manor paying the price for not taking their chances early in the first period of the game. The Braves losing by a single goal in the 75th Minute of the game looked frustrated as they tried to find the net.

The Opening 10 minutes saw Stansted and The Manor battle it out in midfield, the Manor looking the more composed side and nearly edged it when Darren Adams nipped in behind the Stansted back four, striking the post from 10 yards after Jamie Wallace put through a quality ball.

The Manor's Lee Smith challenging for every ball set-up Adams on a solo run into the Stansted box only to hit a blue wall as he becomes crowded out by the advancing Stansted defence.

With Connolly & Tarten falling victim to injury in the opening period of the game, the last thing The Manor needed was further injuries, so when Chris Barratt recently back form a leg injury went down after a two footed challenge the Manor bench where holding their breath as The Manor Physio Sue Abercrombie treated the obviously hurt defender. Luckily for Barratt and the Manor the 6ft 2" defender ran the injury off to continue the game.

Stansted continue to frustrate their opponents, Stansted Legend Tony Mercer feeling the after effects of flu looked a shadow of himself today and was later substituted early in the first half.

18 minutes gone and The Manor's Ryan Whyche tries his luck from 30 yards only to see it launch over the bar.

Lee Smith missing a great opportunity to put the Braves ahead, nodding the ball just over the bar.

Stansted have a rare attempt on the Manor goal, Richard Bastin showing safe hands between the Manor Sticks.

Johnny Quinn constantly encouraging his team mates forward, switching play and sends a delightful ball down the right into the path of Dean Person who skips past the Stansted defence and drills in a superb cross, brilliantly controlled by Jamie Wallace on the edge of the box who then chips the Stansted keeper, only to see the ball bounce off the bar!

Manor Skipper Steve Reading once again in superb form again today, showing fantastic awareness and great leadership, constantly blocking the way through for the Stansted front men.

Ray Coker playing the role of last man looking solid in the Manor defence, using his keeper to take slow the tempo of the game.

The Manor finish the half the stronger side and should have been at least two goals to the good.

Stansted out of the blocks quickest in the second period, should have scored from close range, Steve Reading on hand to clear the ball off the line for a corner.

Wallace and Adams combining again, this time Adams flicks the ball into the path of Wallace who sends the ball skipping just past the post.

Chris Barratt proving solid in the air, breaking down attempts to open up the denfence through the centre of the park.

Richard Bastin the Manor keeper producing heroics, the ball fed down the Manor right, Bastin spotting the danger comes out of goal to narrow the angle, the ball fired towards goal and Bastin acrobatically palming the ball to safety.

75 minutes gone and the Airportmen take the lead, the Manor losing possession just outside the box, Stansted alert to the failing, curl a perfect shot into the corner of the net making it 1-0.

Stansted continue to push the Manor and win a corner, the ball driven in to the back post a simple nodded tap in required, but the ball finds the side netting instead!!

The Manor now pick up the baton and rampaged the Stansted defence, Chester on for Adams and Chris Barratt pushed up front to aid an equaliser.

The Manor contiune to push for a goal as Stansed run down the clock. Chester collecting the ball down the right and sends in a great ball to Stephen Parker who is upended 30 yards from Goal. Chester takes the free kick but the Stansted keeper stays calm to collect.

The Manor finshed the second period determined to find the net, but simply ran out of ideas. The Manor failed to convert their opprotiuntie and were made to pay for their errors.

Manor Man of the Match

Lee Smith - Never Say die attitude

Lee Smith

Manor Team:

Bastin, Coker, Reading, Whyche, Smith, Wallace, Barratt, Parker, Tarten, Adams, Quinn. Sub, Pearson, Prince, Jenkins, Day, Chester.

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