The Manor open their 2006-2007 League campaign away against the old enemy Romford. The game kicked off with Romford taking the early advantage with a strong wind at their backs. The Manor have obvious difficulties getting the ball up field.

4 minutes gone, some creative play down the right by Manor defender Mark Clarey, looking composed as he sent Karim Alnakash down the right flank, who linked well with Manor Front man Danny Hunt, back from long term injury, Hunt to the by-line, sends a great ball across goal and onto the waiting head of Manor Skipper Johnny Quinn, who smashes the crossbar. Lucky escape for Romford.

7 minutes gone and the ghost comes back to haunt the Manor, as in the previous last two games here at Rush Green Road, a Manor player goes down injured (Ray Coker) and is replaced, (Chido Ukalgwa).

11 minutes, Manor's Mark Clarey once again brings the ball out of defence and sends a great pass down the right, Ricky Defreitas this time collects the ball and heads off towards goal, Defreitas goes past a defender, who then goes to ground, finds a yard of space, drops his shoulder and sends his shot neatly into the left hand corner of the goal passed the outreached hands of the Romford keeper, Neil Finn. 1-0 to the Manor.

30 minutes and Romford take a free kick 5 yards outside the Manor area, the ball blocked by the Manor wall, out for a corner, the corner is whipped in and Manor's Darren Smyth up high to collect.

In to the second Period, the Manor still leading by 1-0. Romford from another set piece crush the ball just wide of the Manor post.

Defreitas again on the attack down the left hand side, cuts into the penalty area and shot, Neil Finn scoops the ball up.

Within 5 minutes of the restart Romford attack, Danny Downer collects the ball, notices the Manor keeper off his line knocks the ball over the head of the retreating Darren Smyth and into the net 1-1.

The Manor at this point in the game looking disjointed, and not able to keep possession of the ball . Romford on the other hand look in control and look the more likely to score.

56 minutes gone and Charlie Tarten off for new comer Tony Leary. Devon Saunders, and Ryan Whyche, doing a great job in defence for the Manor, both players are still very young and will continue to develop.

Danny Downer coming close for Romford in the 59th minute, collects the ball and goes on a solo run, finds himself in the Manor box and with a clear view on goal sends the ball just over the bar, and lucky break for the Manor.

63rd Minute and Jamie Wallace, bursts through the middle, past the half way line, totally committed as he edges the ball into the path of Johnny Quinn who beats the off side trap and heads towards goal, with just Finn to beat, looks to his right and notices Defreitas unmarked, Quinn unselfishly nudges the ball into the path of the front man and Defreitas gently strokes the ball into the net making it 2-1 to the Manor.

The referee Mr Barnes continuing to flash the yellow card needlessly, booking 4 players in the space of 15 minutes, appears to anger both the Manor and Romford benches.

69th Minute and the referee blows for another free kick to Romford just outside the box?. The ball poorly driven in and deflects off of the young Manor defender, Chido Ukalgwa, who could only watch helplessly as the ball crawled over the line! making the score 2-2.

78th Minute gone, Danny Hunt making way for another new comer to the Manor, striker, Lawal Alhadi.

80th Minute and Mr Barnes the Referee issuing more yellow cards for what appears a nothing situation!

86th Minute, Defreitas continuing to work hard, collects the ball, just outside the Romford Box and shoots, Neil Finn dives to his right to knock the ball out for a corner.

The Manor pinning Romford back into their own half for the remaining last few minutes of the game, Romford showed obvious signs of relief when the final whistle blew.

The Manor at times looked good today, however, still suffering from not being able to keep possession, and losing the ball in venerable places, this in turn putting pressure on the defence.

Manor Man of the match goes to two goal hero Ricky Defreitas, not only scoring the goals but chased and hassled all afternoon.

Manor Man of the Match

Ricky Defreitas - Took his two goals well & worked hard for the team.

Ricky Defreitas

Manor Team:

D.Smyth, Clarey, Saunders, Tarten, Ukalgwa, Whyche, Quinn, Alnakash, Wallace, Defreitas, D.Hunt,

Subs Awahkum, Vermeuken, Holland, Ukalgwa, Leary, Hammond, Alhadi, Parker.