The Manor travel to Basildon United without 8 regular first team squad Members forced due to injuries and holiday commitments, first team regulars missing, Goalkeeper Darren Smyth, Manor Skipper Jamie Wallace, Nicky Mitchell, Jason McCarthy, Chris Hammond, Paul Smyth, Devon Saunders and Taz Thompson all missing on Saturday, however, luckily for Manor Manager Kirk Whitelock has many committed individuals at the Manor this season who all put in a determined performance against a full strength Basildon side.

The Manor Kick off in minus temperatures, early exchanges saw the Manor hit first after a great ball down the left by Tony Marsh, to the feet of Danny Sabaroche, who smashes the ball over the bar.

Sabaroche again, this time forcing a Manor Corner, the ball whipped in to the back post onto the head of Ray Coker and into the hands of the Basildon keeper.

Basildon hit the Manor early, a fabulous ball down the Manor right, to the edge of the box, the ball struck across goal, Manor's new keeper Sean Funnell failed to connect with the ball which then fell to the back post and left the simple task of slotting the ball home from close range 1-0 to Basildon.

Basidon attack the Manor again, this time Carl Bailey does well to block a fierce shot towards goal, out for a Basildon Corner, which was cleared by Chris Barratt.

The Manor deep in the Basildon half, Jamie Barry sends the ball into the area, Chris Barratt, is upended the Referee points to the penalty spot. Danny Sabaroche steps up and makes no mistake as he drills the ball into the net.

Lucky escape for the Manor as Basildon attack, the ball deflects off a Manor defender over the head of the goalkeeper Sean Funnell and was heading towards goal, Tony Marsh back just in time managed to get his head on the ball, which then rebounds off the bar and into the path of an oncoming Baildon striker who shoots, but was blocked by a wall of red shirts.

The Manor have another good penalty shout, this time Neil Barratt blatantly felled as he bundles over in the area this time the referee waves play on!

Basildon Corner whipped in to the far post, Tony Marsh on hand to clear any Danger. Mark Clarey working really hard, chases back 40 yards to prevent a Basildon attack, comes away with the ball and sets up another Manor attack.

Manor striker Anton Stephenson does well to get to the edge of the box, tries a chip from a tight angle, the ball whizzes past the post.

Stephen Parker, sends an intelligent ball to the feet of Stephenson who is tripped on the edge of the box, free kick, taken by Danny Sabaroche the Basildon keeper does well to palm the ball clear.

The Manor playing some great football, look confident & composed as they attack the basildon goal. Carl Bailey creating much of the Manor attack from his own half and No 11 Jamie Barry causing Basildon problems down the left.

Into the second period and Basildon take a free kick on the edge of the Manor goal, Mark Clarey blocks and sends the ball out for a throw.

Anton Stephenson attacks the Basildon goal as he weaves in and out of the Bee's defence, gets inside the box and is only what can be described as poleaxed to the ground, the referee pusillanimously waves play on much to the bewilderment of the spectators near the incident!

Mark Clarey collects the ball from his own half and bursts into the Basildon defence, skips past two sliding challengers and gets within 5 yards of the Basildon area then hits a wall of Black & Amber shirts as he crumbles to the ground, great determination by the 18 year old defender.

No-nonsense Manor defender Tony Marsh with a crunching tackle to break up a Basildon attack.

Basildon take a 30 yard free kick, struck really well towards the top of the Manor net, Sean Funnell does well to punch the ball over the bar.

The Bee's looking more in control of the game, looking much the fitter of the two sides, collect the ball down the Manor right, the ball to the byline is whipped in across goal, the ball chested down and blasted from close range, the Manor keeper Sean Funnell makes a spectacular quick reaction save to palm the ball over the bar.

Basildon looking to sniff out a winner as they bombard the Manor defence, some really desperate defending by the Manor, who look to be tiring as the clock ticks down.

Manor try to catch Basildon on the break, Anton Stephenson showing great awareness as he nutmegs a defender, and puts the ball right into the path of attacking striker Danny Sarborche who on another day would have buried the ball into the net but instead drilled the ball into the keeper arms.

With the clock ticking down the game looking a draw, sees Basildon take a free kick from 30 yards, the ball driven in to the back post and sits up nicely for a Basildon player who guided the ball into the net. 2-1 to the home side.

The Manor try to get back on top but simply run out of time. The Manor men really deserving something from the game today, can count themselves unlucky. Some good solid performances on show, however one that stood out from the crowd was Tony Marsh, totally committed and never stopped working.

Manor Man of the Match

Tony Marsh - Totally Committed

Tony Marsh

Manor Team:

Funnell, Marsh, Clarey, Bailey, Coker, C.Barratt, Parker, N.Barratt, Sabaroche, Stephenson, Barry.

Subs D.Jenkins, G.Chester.

Att: 23