|
Both teams immaculately
observed 1 minute silence before kick off in memory
of Football Legend George Best, who sadly passed away
the day previous Friday 25th November 2005.
The Manor break
first with a great ball to the feet of Patrick Thompson
who surges on goal, assistant Ref flagging for offside.
APSA's turn to
try and dominate the game, a rare error of judgement
from Manor's Ray Coker sees the ball bounce passed him
down the wing, with a blue shirt in toe, sends a fabulous
ball across goal, Steve Richard Manor keeper happy to
watch it run out of play, early warning signs for the
Braves that London APSA are more than capable when it
comes to counter attacking quickly.
The Manor really
looking disjointed, a poor clearance results in a corner
being won by London APSA, Ray Coker having to make up
ground to bravely block the ball, in the process pulling
a muscle in his back which sees him leave the field
injured, the ball swung deep into the Manor area and
a blue shirt rises above the crowd to nod home the first
goal of the game, 1-0 to APSA.
Terry Hunt on
for the stricken Ray Coker, Jamie Wallace Manors midfield
dynamo continues to push the Manor forward at every
opportunity wins a corner, the ball dealt with by a
non panicked ASPA defence.
The Manor now
allowing APSA far to much room as they rain down on
the Manor's back four, APSA come close this time Steve
Richards Climbs high to rob an APSA striker of a chance.
The Manor fail
to penetrate deep enough to cause any concern to London
APSA defence, time and time again lose the ball in dangerous
places putting pressure on themselves needlessly.
Jamie Wallace
continued to push forward with a fabulous run down the
right, twists and turned the APSA defence inside out
to finally sweep a great ball across to an empty area!
The Braves have
a few brief moments, the best chance falling to Wallace
who collects the ball 30 yards out and shoots the APSA
keeper collects the ball competently.
ASPA nearly taking
a two goal advantage from 5 yards out, but for some
courageous defending from Chris Barratt who cleared
the ball to safety.
23 minutes gone
and it goes from bad to worse as the Manor Skipper is
penalised for pulling back the last man and given a
straight red card. Steve Reading as always an example
to others accepted the decision without complaint and
left the field passing the armband to young Manor striker
Ricky Defreitas on his way off.
APSA now dominating
proceedings and score their second from a contentious
decision when two APSA players were clearly 10 yards
offside when the ball was played, both where allowed
to play on whilst most of the Manor players stood in
disbelief as the ball went in the net, 2-0 down with
10 men at the break! Things surly could only get better
for the Braves!!
The second half
Ricky Defreitas still proudly wearing the skippers armband
looked determined to salvage some pride, Defreitas weaving
in and out of the APSA defence come close, sending the
ball just wide of the post.
APSA get a free
kick 25 yards out, Chris Barratt on hand to deal with
the threat. ASPA regain possession and send a long ball
over the top of the Manor defence, Tony Marsh committed
as ever launched himself at the ball but catches his
own keeper as the two clash and fall in a heap. Manor
Physio Sue Abercrombie had her work cut out for her
today treating both players at the same time.
Listening to
a voice in the crowd that was huddled together to keep
warm, someone commented that the Manor boys have this
never say die attitude, and continue to battle and maintain
a sense of proud, no sooner than this was said and almost
by magic! the Manor's hard work and effort seemed to
pay dividend, as the 10 Manor men some how find their
rhythm and start to grind out a performance that every
person connected with the Manor could be proud off!
As the Braves
pushed London APSA deep into their own half a long ball
goes down the line to the corner flag, the ASPA defender
having plenty of time to clear the ball was suddenly
panicked by the awesome pace of Glenn Connolly who within
seconds de-possessed the outraged defender and charged
along the by-line, looking up for a split second and
saw the ever ready Ricky Defreitas with space 8 yards
from goal, Connolly neatly passed to Defreitas who gently
stroked the ball passed the stranded ASAP keeper, 2-1
and game on.
Chris Hammond
on for Patrick Thompson, and Carl Prince of for the
injured Steve Richards. Now with all subs used the Manor
already down to 10 men needed to keep all 10 on the
pitch as they continued to put pressure on the ASPA
defence, and won a Penalty when an APSA player was seen
by the referee blocking a shot with his hand. Chris
Hammond steps up and hits the ball well, however, the
Keeper, Adam Rafis making a spectacular save low to
his right to palm it away for a corner.
The 10 men Manor
not deterred carry on pressurising the ASPA defence
and gain a free kick 20 yards out, Chris Hammond scoring
most of his goals this season from set pieces stands
aside and watched Terry Hunt instead take a short run
up and bend the ball around the wall and into the net
2-2.
Worrying times
again for the Manor Brave as Terry Hunt goes down with
an ankle problem, leaving the Manor with 9 men and 15
minutes still on the clock!
Hammond, Wallace
and Defreitas continue to terrorise the APSA defence
and come close when a great ball over the APSA defence
by Lenny Nicholls into the path of Defreitas who is
crowed out by the ASPA defence.
Chris Hammonds
turn to threaten as he collects the ball down the centre
with two defenders tugging him back bursts into the
ASPA area, shoots just wide of the post.
APSA win a last
ditch corner, Carl Prince showing safe hands as he comes
to collect. The Manor 9 finish the game the stronger
of the two sides and come close in the dieing seconds
Adam Rafis having to dive full stretch to keep the scores
level.
An absolute stonker
of a second half performance by the Manor boys, full
credit to their character and never say die attitude,
every player stood up to be counted something Whitelock
as been preaching to his players for many months.
A fabulous team
performance second half, however, every team has its
heartbeat and this job at the Manor is Jamie Wallace's
who was not far short of awesome today. Never stopped
running, or encouraging his team mates forward.
Manor
Man of the Match
Jamie
Wallace
Manor Team:
Richards, Barratt, Reading (Capt), Marsh, Coker, Lewis,
Wallace, Nicholls, Thompson, Defreitas, Connolly. Subs:
Prince, Jenkins, Mercer, Hunt, Hammond, Jones,
.
|
