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The Manor coach
arrived late due to heavy traffic, the game had to be
delayed by 15 minutes, allowing the Manor players time
to warm up.
The Braves kick
off in the sunshine, however, it was Rothwell that nearly
scored first, a great ball down the right, resulted
in Dave Townsend, turning the Manor defence, and firing
in at close range, The Manor's keeper, Nicky Mitchell
down low to collect the ball.
Ricky Defreitas
keen to increase his goal tally this season, attacked
the Rothwell defence, seeing the keeper off his line
tried a long range chip which fell just over the bar.
The Manor defence
looked organised, with Bailey, Marsh, Saunders, White
and Clarey all working well together.
Manor's Skipper,
Jamie Wallace, a constant source of encouragement to
his team, leads by example as he battles for every ball
in the middle of the park, sends a great ball to Stephen
Parker, with the ball at his feet rounds two defenders
and squares a great ball to Sam Cashman, who shoots
from close range, the Rothwell keeper palms the ball
out for a corner.
The Manor send
in a corner, Devon Saunders rises high, the ball landing
just over the bar.
The game at this
stage fairly even, until the Manor looked to have bundled
over Rothwell's Elliott Roberts in the area, the Referee
not hesitating as his blows for a Rothwell Penalty.
The Penalty was sweetly taken down the centre By Rothwell's
Tony Ielapi, giving the Manor keeper Nicky Mitchell
no chance what so ever.
Rothwell, now
buzzing with Confidence, come close this time, after
some great build up play, Kev Fox, blasted the ball
from close range, Nicky Mitchell punching the ball to
safety.
The end of the
first half, and Manor come close again, Defreitas and
Cashman blending in well together, which resulted in
Wallace, sending the ball inches past the post.
The second period,
Manor's 18 year old Mark Clarey, with his leg heavily
strapped from an injury he received against Romford
in midweek, looks to be struggling, but carries on with
the game.
Carl Bailey,
straight into action, with a well timed sliding tackle
that prevents a Rothwell attack, Bailey launches the
ball forward into the path of Cashman, who shoots from
a tight angle, Rothwell's keeper, Tom Cross down at
the near post to push it out for another Manor corner.
Stephen Parker,
really grinding out a performance, working extremely
hard, and nearly got his rewards when from 20 yards
out, he crushed the ball just over the bar.
Rothwell, nearly
extend their lead, a great ball over the top of an advancing
Manor defence, see's a well timed run by Tom Judge,
now free on goal, Nicky Mitchell quickly comes out to
narrow the angle, the ball bobbles out for a goal kick.
Manor step up
a gear and hurt Rothwell, Skipper Wallace, twisting
a turning the Rothwell defence, 10 yards out, finds
half a yard, then blasts the ball towards goal, the
ball cracks the post and lands to the feet of Sam Cashman,
who slides the ball into the net, takes a slight deflection
on the way in and hits the roof of the net, 1-1.
The game starts
to settle down and both teams have their chances to
take the lead. The best chance however, coming from
the Manor, a quick corner taken by Defretias to Cashman,
who fires the ball into the area, and rebounds out to
Tony Leary, who hits the ball on the half volley, as
the ball heads towards the top corner of the net, Tom
Cross does well to palm the ball out for another corner.
The Manor continue
to put pressure on the Rothwell defence, until the 94th
minute, when the official blows to signify the end of
normal time and the game goes into extra time.
First period
of Extra time, the Manor now looking in control of the
game, the Manor by now have used all of their subs,
Neil Barratt, Tashwell Thompson and Danny Sabaroche
on for Mark Clarey, Tony Leary and injured Ricky Defreitas,
who received a bad knock on his ankle.
The Manor, coming
close when Thompson collects the ball down the right
to the by-line, sends in a great ball to the far post,
Cashman does well to control the ball, but blasts his
shot over the bar.
The Manor looking
firm favourites now to score as the whistle blows to
end the first period of extra time.
The second period
starts much as the first period ended, Neil Barratt,
using his height to take control of the middle of the
park, Cashman and Danny Sabaroche working well up front,
and Thompson using his pace down the right to open up
the Rothwell defence.
The Official
signals for two minutes to go, seemingly and almost
immediately, the Manor with possession, from Neil Barratt,
shuffles the ball to Danny Sabaroche, who notices Cashman
on another darting run down the left, Cashman collects
a few yards out of the area, with the ball at his feet
and from a slight right angle plants the ball around
the advancing keeper and into the net.
The final whistle
blew, much to the delight of the Manor players, Management
and fans that made the long 3 hour journey to the Midlands.
Full credit to
Rothwell, who took the defeat in good spirit and congratulated
the Manor players. Rothwell are a credit to their league
and showed great character to take the game to the Manor
and try to force a reply.
The Manor players
showed a real gutsy performance, coming back form a
goal down, never gave up hope and deserved the victory
on the day.
Some big performance
again this week, superb performance from Skipper Wallace
who is a tremendous influence on the players and leads
by example. Sam Cashman a constant threat to Rothwell
and got his rewards with two goals, but the Managers
Man of the Match choice, goes to young Stephen Parker,
who worked tremendously hard, totally committed and
proved he can raise his game at this level.
Manor
Man of the Match
Stephen Parker
- Committed Throughout
Stephen Parker
Manor
Team:
Mitchell, Clarey, Marsh, White, Saunders, Baily, Leary,
Wallace (Capt), Parker, Cashman, Defreitas,
Subs
Chester, Ukalgwa, Tashwell, Sabaroche, N.Barratt.
Att: 75
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