|
The Manor Travel
to their old rivals Halstead Town. The Manor last played
Halstead in 1998, the game finished a 1-1 draw. However,
these two teams have been competing since the early
1940's in both League and Cup Competitions. A win today
for the Braves would mean history in the Making, as
The Manor have never been passed the 2nd Round of the
FA Vase.

A good crowd
gathered in the Stadium to watch the game as the Manor
kicked off with the sun in their eyes. The Braves showing
some early promise, with Danny Sabaroche & Chris
Hammond giving some strong presence up front and should
have capitalised first after David Annobil sent a great
ball through the centre to Hammond who sliced the ball
just wide of the goal post.

Danny Sabaroche
this time chases a long ball to the by-line, finds some
space and lines up his shot, good defending reduced
Sabaroche's options and out for a corner. The ball swung
in and a good appeal for hand ball waved on by the Referee!

It wasn't long
before Halstead caught the Manor out and against the
run of play, a poor clearance from the Manor defence
saw the ball driven backwards into the path of an incoming
Halstead player who drove the ball home making it 1-0
to the home side.
Danny Sabaroche
attacks the Halstead defence this time down the right
hand-side, gets to the by-line and sends a great ball
across goal, no red shirts in the area to take advantage!

The referee
gifted Halstead a free Kick on the edge of the box,
the ball smashed past the Manor wall, keeper Nicky Mitchell
managed to parry the ball away to his right, however
Halstead player at the back post had the simple task
of nudging the ball into the net 2-0 to the home side.
The Manor now
looking shell shocked, having so much possession and
being two goals behind looks to unbalanced the side.

The Manor's Chris
Barratt goes down after a heavy challenge, the official
waves play on! as Barratt fails to get to his feet.
The game eventually forced to stop as Barratt is replaced
by Justin Gardener.

The Manor continue
to look for an opportunity, but again get caught on
the break, as Halstead send a divine ball down the right,
the ball driven into the Box however, Nicky Mitchell
down low to gather the ball up.
The unbelievable
happens again, Halstead Corner, the ball driven into
the box, Nicky Mitchell the Manor Keeper looked to have
been failed, but still manages to touch the ball away,
but Halstead ready to pounce off the rebound and slot
the ball into the net 3-0!
Into the second
period and the Manor take a corner, the ball driven
in high, the Halstead Keeper challenges for the ball
ref blows for infringement!!

The Manor come
close to score, this time Mark Clarey smashes the ball
towards goal, the ball rebounds into the path of David
Annobil who launches the ball wide of the goal.
Another crunching
tackle this time David Annobil looks badly hurt, the
Manor bench looking furious as the official fails to
take any action against the culprit, Annobil replaced
by Neil Barratt.

Halstead now
looking confident as they knock the ball around the
muddy surface, come close again after some great build
up play which results in crushing the ball just wide
of the post. Manor's Tony Marsh being made to work really
hard on the left.

Its now all Halstead as once again
they send a ball over the top of the advancing Manor
defence. Mitchell out quickly this time to break down
the Halstead attack.
Manor skipper
Jamie Wallace continues to battle, collecting the ball
midway in his own half, Wallace runs at the Halstead
defence and gets within 10 yards of the Halstead box,
shoots and knocked out for a corner. Sabaroche takes
the corner, once again the official blows for an infringement
on the keeper!!!!!

Manor make another
substitute, Sammy Cashman on for Ray Coker. Cashmen
straight into the action and wins a corner, the ball
driven in low again the referee sees an infringement!
Halstead now
turning on the style, switching play and look to have
scored their 4th, but hit the side netting instead.
Some fabulous work by Manor defender Paul Smyth to narrow
the angle.
A misunderstanding
between Keeper and defender sees the ball knocked back
to Mitchell and roll into the Manor net, own goal 4-0.

Manor Mark Clarey
attacks down the right hand-side, gets into the box
and shoots straight onto the arms of the Halstead keeper,
who immediately sends the ball up field, Halstead send
a high ball over the head of the advancing Manor defence,
Halstead beat the offside trap and one on one situation,
goes round the Manor keeper to simply walks the ball
over the line, 5-0 to Halstead.

The Manor try
to lift their spirits and continue to attack the Halstead
goal, Gardener to Sabaroche who blasts the ball over
the bar.
The Game finally
finished 5-0 to the home side, Halstead, who look a
competent side and play some very attractive football,
however, the difference between the two sides on the
day was that Halstead took their chances and the Manor
didn't.

Halstead now
advance to the 3rd round and everyone at Eton Manor
wish them success in the competition. The Manor players
and officials would like to thank Halstead Town Football
Club for their kind and generous hospitality.
Manor
Man of the Match
Jamie Wallace
- Committed the entire 90 minutes
Jamie
Wallace

Manor
Team:
Mitchell, Marsh, Tarten, Clarey, Smyth, Coker, C.Barratt,
Wallace (Capt), Annobil, Hammond, Sabaroche.
Subs
McCarthy, Gardner, Parker, Thompson, Cashman, N.Barratt.
Att:
|