Eton Manor Football Club welcome their old friends & rivals Southend Manor to St Chad's Road. A late pitch inspection was necessary as heavy rain the night previous nearly put paid to the game being played, however, the Manor back room staff did well to clear the water-soaked pitch a few hours before kick off.

A minutes silence was held before the start of the game in memory of Ex Eton Manor player Mr Pellicci, who sadly died this week after suffering from Motoneurons Disease. This was a fitting tribute to a true gentlemen and a great lover of Eton Manor Football Club. Mr Pellicci will be sadly missed by all that knew him.

The Braves kicked off in the bright sunshine, but it was Southend Manor who opened the more lively, The Seasiders come close with a looping ball over the top of the advancing Manor defence, right into the path of an attacking playing, Darren Smyth Manor Keeper out early to clear any danger.

Eton Manor's frontman Danny Sabaroche forces himself into Southends area, noticing Chris Hammond to his left, slides the ball into the path of the bustling striker, but Hammond forced to go wide the ball goes out of play.

Anton Stephenson sends a delightful ball from inside his own half, into the path of Sabaroche who heads off towards goal, The Southend defence once again doing their job and snuff out any danger.

Jamie Wallace with a neat one two with Anton Stephenson, finds himself in the Southend box, ony to see his shot sliced over the bar.

Chris Hammond tries a 30 yard shot, the Southend Keeper makes a good save as he dives low to turn the ball round the post.

Southend Manor attack, starting with a competent buildup from defence, resulted in the ball drifting over to the right, just inside the Eton Manor box, blasts the ball towards Goal, Manor Keeper Darren Smyth making an excellent save to he's left keeps the score 0-0.

The Braves, trying to play some neat football on the ground, however the pitch is extremely heavy and the ball simply not traveling along the surface very well.

Stephenson causing some danger down Southends left hand side, sends a great ball to Wallace on the edge of the penalty area, flicks the ball into the path of Ray Coker who slams the ball from 20 yards, Southends keeper does well to hold the shot.

Southend Manor have the best chance of the game so far as they create some space just inside the Manor area, smashes the ball towards goal, but the ball curled away from the goal & out for a goal kick.

Second period and the pitch looking heavy going, both teams struggling with the boggy pitch.

Southend hit the Braves on the break, one on one with the Manor keeper, once again Darren Smyth pulling off a spectacular save to keep the score line level 0-0.

Southend Manor with a free kick 30 yards out, the ball lofted in high to the back post, nodded down, however, Southend the quickest to react as the ball slides towards goal, Darren Smyth, down low to palm the ball away to safety, the Manor keeper having a superb game.

Chris Hammond comes close, goes past two defenders and gets within 10 yards of goal, tries a shot but the ball blasts over the bar.

Southend Manor frustrated again by the Manor Keeper as he pulls off another spectacular save, the ball looking certain to hit the net but Smyth across goal to palm the ball out for a corner.

Second period of the game and Southend Manor now putting the Braves on the back foot, the Eton Manor defence forced to dig in, Carl Bailey having a terrific game on the right, really working hard to stop the advancing Southend attacks.

The Braves look to make a few changes to beef up at the back take off Danny Sabaroche for lively midfielder Jason McCarthy.

Southend come close again, the ball 20 yards out, Darren Smyth comes out of his box to challenge, the ball knocked over the head of the keeper, looking a certain goal, when battling defender Tony Marsh sweeps behind the Southend player and slides the ball off of the attackers foot and out to safety, Eton Manor being made to work extremely hard to keep the game level by this lively Southend Team.

A couple of Manor substitutes, youngster Mark Clarey on for Manor workhorse Paul Smyth and 18 year old Stephen Parker off for Neil Barratt.

Southend sweep in a corner, Darren Smyth up high to punch the ball away to safety, into the path of Devon Saunders who sends a great ball to Jason McCarthy down the right, almost to the byline and sends a fabulous ball onto the head of Hammond, Southends keeper pushes it over the over the bar for a corner.

As the last few minutes of the game tick by Darren Smyth again to the rescue as Southend Manor attack the Braves goal, Smyth forced to his right to push the ball out for a corner. The Manor keeper having a great game and proving to be the difference today.

Eton Manor have a great chance to steal all three points, Ray Coker down the left, sends a fabulous ball across goal and onto the head of Chris Hammond and from 10 yards out heads the ball into the hands of the Southend keeper, lucky escape for the Seasiders.

The game finishing 0-0. Not a pretty game by any stretch of the imagination, but in these conditions is understandable. Some gritty defending by Eton Manor combined with some fabulous goal keeping by "Man of the Match"
Darren Smyth kept the result level.

Manor Man of the Match

Darren Smyth - Frustrated Southend Manor

Darren Smyth

Manor Team:

D.Smyth, Marsh, Saunders, Bailey, Coker, P.Smyth, Parker,, Wallace (Capt), Sabaroche, Stephenson, Hammond.

Subs Clarey, N.Barratt, C.Barratt, McCarthy,Thompson.

Att: 25