Eton Manor on their travels once more this time up the M11 to face our very good friends Sawbridgeworth Town in the League.

Carl Hoddle 1967-2008 RIP

Before the kick off a minutes silence was impeccably observed in memory of Sawbridgeworths Carl Hoddle younger brother of Ex England Manager Glenn who sadly passed away last week. Carl only 40 will be sadly missed by all those that knew him. Our thoughts and sincere condolences go out to Carl's wife Dawn and his three daughters.

The Manor making a few changes to their starting 11 this week. In comes Manley Brown taking the front spot alongside Anton Stephenson who looks in blistering form this season. Also in comes Liam Allen taking the right hand-side position. On the bench sees new signing Clint Hodge alongside bustling centre forward Ricky Husseyn.

Sawbo kick off with the wind advantage. A dour first 20 minutes with both teams not managing to penetrate each other defences.

The first real opportunity came in the 20th minute, the Manor get a free kick 22 yards from the Sawbo goal, Anton Stephenson lines up his shot which sees Sawbo's keeper Dan Bibby make a finger tip save on to the post before scooping the ball up.

A few minutes later Sawbo playing some neat one touch football open up the Manor defence, the ball driven down the right and is quickly whipped in to the far post where Greg Hughes was waiting, Hughes ‘hits the ball on the volley lucky break for the Manor as the ball whistles over the bar.

Remaining few minutes of the first half sees the Manor coming close, Anton Stephenson tries his luck from just outside the box, Sawbo's keeper needing to make a fabulous save to keep the score line 0-0 at the break.

The Second period and the Manor now with the wind advantage make their first substitute; Chris Barratt hobbles off with a foot injury and is replaced by Ricky Husseyn.

The Manor come close in the opening minutes of the restart, Liam Mulcare fires in from just inside the box Dan Bibby making a good save to his right sends the ball out for a Manor corner.

The Manor reduced to 10 men as Manley Brown receives a second yellow card for a heavy challenge. The Manor bench continue to play two up front despite Browns departure, evidence the Manor are going for all 3 points!

The Manor's Jordan Childs causing Sawbo's defence a few problems down the right is upended 30 yards from goal. Childs whips in the ball onto the head of Neil Barratt, Dan Bibby manages to get a hand to the ball however, it drops kindly to Ricky Husseyn who strokes the ball into the net, 1-0 to the Manor.

The Manor makes their second substitute, Liam Mulcare off for Clint Hodge. Straight away Hodge asserting himself on the game, gaining some space down the left hand-side using his blistering pace, sends in a great ball to the feet of Liam Allen who smashes the ball just wide of the post.

Stephenson keen to extend his goal tally this season collects the ball in his own half and heads off towards Sawbo's goal, using his strength to keep possession, manages to get to the edge of the box and blasts the ball goal bound, Dan Bibbly needing to pull off a fantastic save to keep his side in the game.

Once more Bibby showing is worth makes another excellent save to his right to keep out a fine effort from Stephenson from 25 yards.

Last remaining minutes of the game and Liam Allen heads off towards the Sawbridgeworth goal, gets himself into the box and looks set to round the keeper, however, Bibby catches the pacey winger as he goes down in a heap, Match Official Lee Dorling who was right up with play didn't hesitate as he points to the penalty spot.

Anton Stephenson taking on the responsibility smashes the ball into the net making it his 32nd of the season and the Manor’s 2nd on the day.

Last remaining minutes of extra time and the Manor keeping possession as the clock runs down.

The Manor needed to be defensively strong today as Sawbridgeworth looked more than capable of hitting the Manor on the break, Sawbo look a much stronger outfit now then they did back in December when the Manor cruised to a 6-1 victory. Click here to view Match Report.

Good result for the Manor men today, played almost an entire half with only 10 men and still managed to get the upper hand against lively opposition. Three points well earned that allows the Braves to push the teams at the top of the League table.

Manor Man of the Match

.Steve Reading - Solid Performance

Manor Team:

Hall, Mclean, Reading, Willis (Capt), N.Barratt, C.Barratt, Mulcare, Allen, Stephenson, Brown, Childs.

Subs Fox, Leary, Coker, Hodge, Husseyn

Att: 35