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The Manor on
their travels once again, this time the hosts were Essex
Intermediate Champions "Harold Wood Athletic"
The Manor Management, thankfully, blessed with a few
new trialist's chomping at the bit to show what they
can do, as number of first team players were rested
due to a gruelling pre-Season schedule currently in
progress.
The opening minutes
the Manor struggle to find their rhythm on an uneven
pitch, the front two of Thompson and Hammond having
to work hard extra hard going up hill!, the Wood defence
look physically strong as they snuff out the Manor attacks.
The Manor's Johnny
Quinn entrenched in his normal workaholic role in the
centre of the park, alongside Lee Canham who battled
and chased all afternoon.
The game not
a pretty spectacle by any stretch of the imagination.
The Manor continue to struggle to string a pass together
and the frustration clearly visible as the Manor look
disjointed.
20 minutes gone
and "The Woodies" strike first with a floating
ball in from a free kick, assisted by a strong wind
finds the back of the Manor net. 1-0 to Harold Wood.
The Manor defence
having to reorganise themselves, Mark Clarey carrying
a back injury looks to be struggling with his pace.
New Manor defender
Carl Bailey, continues to shine as he seemingly takes
up a sweeper role and deals efficiency with any danger.
Jason McCarthy
wide on the right getting involved in a physical battle
with the Wood defenders, receiving no protection from
the officials, but getting plenty of stick from the
Wood bench!
Other new players
to the Club, Neil Barratt looks solid in Centre mid,
his height proving to be an asset as he dealt with most
of the high balls from goal kicks. Tashwell Thompson
in the first half struggling with the uneven surface
simply denied the ball in the first half.
The second period,
saw a few changes, McCarthy, Hammond and Clarey off.
A new front partnership of Thompson and Defreitas. Plus
the welcome site of Terry Hunt back from long term injury.
The Manor now
starting to take the game to Harold Wood, with the advantage
of the wind and attacking downhill gave the Manor a
slight edge to their game.
Defreitas looking
very positive, as he attacks the Wood goal, Defreitas
looking fit and his temperament & appetite for the
game has vastly improved over last season, nearly scores
as he lines up his shot which he smashes just wide of
the post.
Thompson also
now looking sharper, as he twists and turns the Wood
defence, only to find the Wood keeper commanding &
alert.
Charlie Tarten
now starting to get into the game as he picks up his
normal role of hassling and chasing defenders down.
The Manor draw
level after Tarten won the ball in the centre, sending
the ball forward to Defreitas who floats the ball in
to Thompson who scores his first goal for the Manor,
1-1.
More changes
for the Manor with 10 minutes on the clock as ex West
Ham Utd youth striker, Aaron Gayle on for Thompson and
Chico on for the battling Charlie Tarten.
Some close encounters
for both sides in the remainder of the half, Harold
Wood coming close with a few minutes left on the clock,
only to find Manor defenders Ray Coker & Carl Bailey
not giving an inch.
Manor
Man of the Match
Carl Bailey -
Class Defender
Carl
Bailey
Manor
Team:
Holland, Clarey, McCarthy, Canham, Bailey, Coker, N.Barrett,
Tarten, Quinn, Hammond, Thompson,
Subs
Gayle, Defreitas, Ukalgwa, Hunt.
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