The Manor travel to the Spotted Dog ground to play old rivals Clapton FC. The last time these two sides met was in the Thames Side Trophy last December when despite going one goal behind the Manor nicked the victory in the dieing minutes of the game and won 3-2.

The Manor kick off in the sunshine on a bumpy, dusty and hard surface. Opening Minutes and the Manor send a warning shot to Clapton, Jamie Wallace down the right, cuts in a lovely ball on to the feet of Taz Thompson, who drives the ball in on goal, Clapton keeper, Blessing Kwambana making an awkward looking save.

Clapton take a free kick 10 yards out the box, struck well by Clapton Skipper Bobby Radmore, Manor keeper, Darren Smyth dealing with any danger.

Wallace on a driving run into the Clapton defence, Wallace in determined mood as he twists and turns, coming away with the ball, looks up and blasts a shot in on Goal, Keeper Kwambana, palms the ball upwards to take the sting out of the shot.

The Manor catch Clapton on the counter, throw in for Clapton deep in the Manor half, Taz recaptures the ball and tears off down the Clapton right hand side, gets to the by-line and sends a great ball across goal, the ball just centimetres to high for the arriving Manor men.

Tony Leary looking composed in the middle of the park for the Manor, sent a fabulous ball over the top of the retreating Clapton defence, into the path of Taz, running in on goal, but scuffs his shot over the bar.

Clapton having their opportunities to score, but found Devon Saunders in the Manor defence on blistering form, breaking down the Clapton attacks, and winning absolutely everything in the air.

Clapton attacking in packs down the right hand-side, Chris Barratt making a Bobby Moore type challenge to come away with the ball to set up another Manor attack.

Clapton send a great ball over the Manor defence, resulted in shot on the Manor goal, Smyth, pushes the ball away, a mix up in the box allows Ex Manor Striker Aaron Gayle to slice the ball into the net making it 1-0 to Clapton.

A few moments later, Gayle should have made it 2-0 when he broke free with only the Manor keeper to beat blasted the ball wide. Clapton now going for a second goal, down the right hand-side, lifts the ball high into the area, Aaron Gayle again, chips the ball just over the bar.

Stephen Parker on for Tony Robinson, Parker straight into the action by sending a great ball into the path of Wallace, with the ball at his feet 5 yards out of the area, chips the keeper, looking like a certain goal as the ball bounces on this hard pitch and over the bar!

The Manor now stepping it up a gear, Ray Coker down the left neat one two with Jamie Wallace, which resulted in Wallace running on goal, sends the ball inches past the post.

Now in the second period, and Stephen Parker, seemly making a big difference to a revived Manor performance, just inside the box blasts a shot, keeper fumbles the ball and Wallace nips in but sending the ball just over the bar. The Manor defiantly meaning business and an equaliser looking on the cards.

Corner taken, ball cleared to Taz Thompson, who notices Wallace coming in from the left, Wallace with the ball at his feet, chips the keeper making it 1-1.

The Manor goal now sparks some life into Clapton's performance, who take the initiative, making the Manor defence work, Clarey, Bailey and Coker taking most of the sting out of Clapton's attacks.

Big defending now necessary, Neil Barratt, Devon Saunders and Chris Barratt into he thick of the action, dealing with all the high balls into the Manor box competently.

Both teams now looking to nick all three points, in turn forcing both keepers into action and needing to be on their game.

Taz Thompson hitting the underside of the bar, again chipping the keeper who was way off his line, the ball bounces onto the bar only to be cleared, the Manor feeling the frustration.

The Manor on the attack once more, so confident that the Manor can nick the game, even the defenders are having a go. Wallace to Neil Barratt, 25 yards from goal, with a little bit of time, steps back to line up his shot, but blasts it over the bar.

Chris Barratt taking a knock and is replaced by Childo Ukalgwa. Followed by Taz Thompson carrying an injury and replaced by New Manor front Man Brady Jones.

Clapton now with a free kick, 25 yards out. Skipper Radmore steps up and blast his shot into the top left hand corner, Manor's Darren Smyth having to make a spectacular save to palm the ball onto the post and out for a throw.

Jamie Wallace taking a free kick 20 yards out, smashes the ball into the wall, rebounds back to Wallace, who drives in a low ball, Mark Cleary pushes the ball towards goal, a Clapton defender tries to clear his line, but smashes the ball onto his keepers legs and into the net, 2-1 to the Manor with only minutes to go.

The final whistle blows to great relief to the Manor, who were made to work for the 3 points today. Unlucky not to have scored more goals, but will feel pleased with the overall performance.

Clapton play some neat football and will cause a few shocks in the Essex Senior League this season. The Clapton side consisting of some talented individuals that work hard for the team.

The Manor having a few big performances today, Jamie Wallace, involved in almost every Manor attack and well deserved his goal. With Wallace you know "you get exactly what it says on the tin"

Out of all the good individual displays on the pitch today, one other stood out head and shoulder's, "Devon Saunders" is becoming an exceptional player, breaking down Clapton's attacks and coming way with the ball time and time again to create a counter opportunity.

Manor Man of the Match

Devon Saunders - Solid Defending

Devon Saunders

Manor Team:

D.Smyth, Clarey, Bailey, Saunders, Coker, C.Barratt, Wallace (Capt), N.Barratt, Robinson, Thompson, Leary,

Subs Holland, Jones, Tarten, Ukalgwa, Parker,