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Away Game at
Tilbury was always going to be a strange affair for
the Manor, who ground share with their hosts. The Manor
using the visitors changing rooms and wearing the Red
Away kit gave a strange sensation to say the least.
The game kicked
off in bright sunlight and freezing cold conditions,
the first 15 minutes was a dull affair as neither team
penetrated each others defences, the first chance fell
to the Manor in the 16th minute of the game when Manor
Legend Johnny Quinn coming back to full fitness broke
loose down the Tilbury left, Quinny using his wit to
force forward rounding a defender and planted an exquisite
ball into the path of a fit & trim looking Chris
Hammond who blasted the ball inches past the post.
Tilbury reacted
almost immediately with some fluent play down the right,
the ball driven in hard but The Manor Keeper Carl Prince
holding on to the ball well.
Tilbury break
the deadlock in the 36 minute, from a free kick 10 yards
outside the box, the ball driven across goal and on
to the head of an approaching striker who nodded the
ball home from close range to make it 1-0 to the Dockers.
Tilbury should
have wrapped things up in the remaining minutes of the
first half but for the determination of the Manor skipper
Steve Reading who gave absolutely everything in trying
to defend his goal and clear his line.
The Manor back
four looked strong and competent today, Tony Marsh as
always giving 100% commitment down the left handside,
Chris Barratt seems to be improving with every game
and work horse Glenn Connolly using his blistering pace
to create chances on the counter.
The second half
and the temperatures drop to below zero degrees, the
Manor look to have the better of the half and come close
when Glenn Connolly broke free into the Tilbury box
and blasted his shot into the arms of the Tilbury keeper.
Jamie Wallace
playing up front worked hard to open things up for the
Manor but was often crowed out by a packed Tilbury defence.
Chris Hammond
replaced at the break with Lenny Nicholls who looked
lively but couldn't find his nornal finishing touch
today.
Lee Smith continued
to battle hard along with Manor terrier Charlie Tarten
and were providers of a many opportunities that continued
to go begging for the Braves.
Terry Hunt back
to full fitness caused Tilbury a few problems down the
left, Hunt coming close from a 20 yards as the ball
sailed just of the bar.
Tilbury should
have wrapped things up in the 80th minute when the ball
fell fortunately to a Tilbury player and with the goal
at his mercy blasted it over the bar.
Tilbury scoring
their second goal against the run of play and from a
controversial decision by the referee, when a Tilbury
player went down injured, the Manor sportingly kicked
the ball out of play whilst the player received treatment,
the ref, rather then ordering Tilbury to give the ball
back to a Manor player, decided to give a drop ball,
and immediately from the drop ball which was lofted
high over the heads of a retreating Manor defence, Tilbury
nipped in behind the defence to tuck the ball home making
it 2-0 to the home side.
The scoreline
flattered the Dockers today. The Manor were in control
for long periods of the game and with slicker finishing
would have got the result they deserved.
On to this coming
Tuesday night when the Manor play Brentwood Town in
the Qtr Finals of the League Cup 2nd Leg. Brentwood
have the advantage by winning the first leg 1-0, however,
the Manor will be up for this game and the prize a place
in the Semi Finals of the Cup.
Man of the match
going to the Manor's Charlie Tarten,
battled for every ball and gave 100%.
Manor
Man of the Match
Charlie
Tarten
Manor
Team: Prince, Connolly, Barratt,, Reading (Cpt),
Marsh, Tarten, Quinn, Wallace, Hammond, Smith, Hunt
Subs: Day, Nicholls, Lewis,Chester.
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