Eton Manor looking to increase their points tally after a solid mid-week win away to Bowers & Pitsea. The Manors injury list continues to be a big worry, out goes Skipper Steve Willis along with important midfielder Neil Barratt. Manley Brown sits on the Subs bench carrying a leg injury, whilst Goalkeeper Andy Hall plays with a twisted wrist and Jordan Childs with a muscle strain. Also on the bench and back from a lengthy spell out is Manor’s Mr Versatile Jamie Wallace.

The Manor loses the toss and Romford swap ends, Kunle Adeoye and Anton Stephenson kick off with the bright Sunshine in their eyes.

Opening minutes and Romford show their early intensions down the Manor right; Romfords Jerry Lyons sends a teasing ball into the box to Danny Rafis who knocks the ball wide of the post.

Manor get sloppy down the right hand side, the ball collected by Lyons who charges towards goal with the ball at his feet. Lyons strikes the ball towards goal, Andy Hall competently scooping the ball up to remove any pressure.

The Manor quick to counter attack, some great movement from Anton Stephenson and Kunle Adeyoe resulted in Adeoye heading off towards the Romford goal ‘with only the Keeper to beat, Adeoye within 20 yards of the Romford goal sees Romfords keeper tear out of his box and flatten the Manor striker to the floor, leaving Skipper Neil Finn at the mercy of the Match official? After a lengthy period and after consulting his assistant referee the Romford keeper only shown a yellow card and knows he is lucky to still be on the pitch!!

Stephenson fires in a shot from the free kick the ball cleared by a packed Romford defence.

24th Minute and the Manor now looking to balance play, Jordan Childs in his own half noticing Stephenson making an early run sends a great ball over the top of the advancing Romford defence, Stephenson timing his run to perfection ‘as he beats the off-side trap & heads off towards goal with Romford defenders in toe, Stephenson into the box and places the ball into the corner of the net, 1-0 to the Manor.

26 minutes gone and Romford equalise, suspicion of offside as Romford catch the Manor defence flat footed, Romfords Manzi Mabla finding the net from close range, 1-1.

The Manor continue with their high tempo passing game, results in Bradley Nelson surging through the middle of the park, to the edge of the box and fires the ball just past the post.

32 minutes and Jordan Childs wins back possession deep in his own half, brings the ball to within a few yards of the half way line and sends a superb pass over the top of the Romford defence and into the path of Stephenson who charges off towards the Romford goal, Finn quickly off his line and looks to clip the Manor striker, Stephenson remaining on his feet as he goes around the Romford keeper and smashes the ball into the net, 2-1 to the Manor.

Romford quick to react equalise shortly after, Romford attack down the right, Bradley Jones about 25 yards from goal noticing the Manor keeper off his line plants the ball into the net, 2-2.

Manor attack once more, Childs down the Romford left to the by-line, cuts into the box allowing himself a spare yard ‘as he slides the ball towards goal, Finn down low to his right to make a fine save.

Romford come close, the ball driven in from a corner kick, Paul White up first to nod the ball just over the bar.

Second period and the Manor dogged by injury forced to make their first substitute, Danny Dobson looks to hobble off and on comes Manley Brown.

Manor's Chris Barratt sending the ball across field to Courtney Mclean who sets off into the Romford half, lays the ball to the feet of Liam Mulcare who is having an unusually subdued game plays the ball to Kunle Adeoye, Adeoye now in the Romford box back heels the ball into the path of Stephenson who drills the ball inches past the post.

Manor making their second Substitute, Mulcare off for creative midfielder Jamie Wallace.

Wallace’s first touch of the ball showing his class as he bends the ball across field to the feet of Stephenson who heads off towards goal, Romfords Rob Port blocks Stephenson's shot out for a corner, however goal kick awarded!

Manzi Mabla causing the Manor defence issues, Mabla down the Manor right curves the ball into the box and onto the head of Jones; Andy Hall needing to make a fine save to parry the ball over the bar.

Manor's midfield scrapper Lee Smith off for Ray Coker, the Manor changing their formation to 4-4-2 to try and deal with Romfords tactics of 3 attackers.

The Manor coming close in the remaining minutes of the game, Jamie Wallace sets off down the right, noticing Stephenson in the box lays the ball along the ground to the Manor striker, Stephenson with his back to goal turns sharply but mistimed his shot and goes to ground, the ball pops up nicely and Stephenson despite being on the ground smashes the ball towards goal, but Finn quick to react spots the danger and makes a save.

Ray Coker down the Romford left, Coker getting to the by-line and sends a fabulous ball to the back post where Adeoye was waiting to nod the ball over the Romford keeper, the ball looking a certain goal, when Erkan Ozerek heads the ball clear and out for a Manor corner.

Kunle Adeoye leaves the field with a reoccurring ankle injury after a clumsy challenge by Romford's Paul White, this leaving the Manor down to 10 men for the remaining few minutes of the game.

The final whistle brings this entertaining game to a close, an open game with both sides capable of taking the 3 points.

This new look Romford side showing great team spirit and is a far cry from the team that played Eton Manor back in January. Good vocal support as ever from the Romford faithful complemented their teams performance.

Eton Manor continue their impressive run of 8 games without defeat, some real positives for the Manor today one being the return of Jamie Wallace who demonstrated his importance to the squad today. Plus the brilliance of Manor front man “Anton Stephenson” who continues to show his abilities in front of goal, he has now scored 31 goals in all competitions this season. However, Man of the match goes to the popular defender Courtney Mclean, a solid performance from a class defender.

Manor Man of the Match

Courtney Mclean - A Class defender

Courtney Mclean

Manor Team:

Hall (Capt), Mclean, Fox, C.Barratt, , Smith, Mulcare, Dobson, Nelson, Stephenson, Adeoye, Childs.

Subs Wallace, Allan, Brown, Coker, Arands.

Att: 59