The Manor starts the League Season with a Tough opener against the highly rated Concord Rangers. The Manor men seemingly not fazed by the visitor’s reputation appear to be high in confidence having won their last 6 games on the bounce.

The Braves kick off in the bright sunshine and immediately break down the right, the ball whipped in from Ricardo Amado back from a lengthy break due to an injury but looks to have lost no pace as he tears off down the left and sends in a delicate chip to the far post, where Bradley Nelson narrowly fails to connect with the ball as it rolls out of play.

The Manor needed to be on their toes, as the highly rated Michael Begg runs towards the Manor goal, as he approaches the box, Manor Skipper
“Steve Willis” robs the lively striker of the ball and lays the ball wide and out of danger.

The Manor looking comfortable, some great touches down the left, Justin Cummins growing in confidence as he stretches the Concord midfield as he attacks down the left hand-side, the ball floated into the danger area to the feet of Anton Stephenson who blasts the ball just wide of the post. Early warning signs to the visitors?

This new look Manor team allow the ball to do all the work and make the game look so easy as they attack the Concord goal once more, Bradley Nelson looking strong as he collects the ball and turns towards goal, Stephenson giving Nelson some options to the left of goal, however, the robust striker goes it alone, and pulls the trigger, the ball goes inches from the target and out for a goal kick.

Concords Danny Heale and Michael Begg combine well and attack the Manor goal down the centre, Neil Barratt comes to the rescue and clears the danger making good use of his 6ft 3in frame.

23 minutes gone and the Manor win a corner, the ball driven in high, Steve Willis first to connect as he powers the ball into the net 1-0 to the Manor.

The Braves not content with just the one ‘go looking for their second, as the evergreen midfielder Jamie Wallace coasts past one defender and then lays the ball into the path of Stephenson 'who lashes at the ball, only to see it bobble out of play.

28 minutes gone and Michael Begg goes on a mazy run down the Manor right, Courtney Mclean who had kept Begg quite up-till now, was powerless as the nippy striker carved the ball to Chamberlains right and into the net. 1-1.
Concord come close 5 minutes later from a corner, the ball stroked into the danger area, Chamberlin the Manor Keeper quickly out to punch the ball clear.

The Manor’s dynamo midfielder 'Lee Smith in determined mood as he sets up another Manor onslaught, Smith drives the ball down the left to Amado, some delightful quick succession of one, two’s with Cummins who curves in a fabulous pass to Nelson who crushes the ball just over the bar.

The Manor’s new signing Junior Konadu causing problems for Concord in the middle of the Park; Konadu contributes with a brilliant solo effort down the left, cuts into the area but crowded out 5 yards from goal for another Manor corner.

41 Minutes gone and the Manor get to the edge of the Concord penalty area; the ball blasted in but catches the hand of a Concord player. The official not hesitating ‘as he blows for a free kick on the edge of the box. Bradley Nelson steps up and aims towards goal, the ball taking a small deflection just before it smashes into the back of the net. 2-1 to the Manor.

The Second period and the Manor waste no time begin to pour the pressure on Concords back four. Junior Konadu smashes the ball from 20 yards the Concord Keeper having to pull off a spectacular save to his right to stop the ball hitting the net.

The Manor now cruising as the Braves hit Concord on the counter, Stephenson running towards goal, chips the ball to the back post where Amado is waiting to pounce; again the Concord keeper goes to ground to collect the ball to prevent further danger.

The Manor keeping the pressure on Concord defence, couldn’t help feeling that it was just a matter of time before the Manor would get another break and it happened in the 63rd minute from some great build up play saw a well deserved goal by the hard working front man Anton Stephenson who latched onto the ball and drove it into the net making it 3-1 to the Manor.

68th Minute and its’ all Manor, down the right to Junior Konadu who weaves through a packed defence to net his first goal for the Manor and the 4th for the team on the day. 4-1 and the Manor looking comfortable.

Manor make a few substitutions, Stephenson carrying a foot injury makes way for the talented Liam Mulcare, who wastes no time driving the Manor forward, other substitutions follow with Alinani Mounter & Charlie Tarten.



The Manor dominating the game and come close to their 5th of the game when Bradley Nelson breaks free in the centre 25 yards from goal and powers a blistering shot towards goal, the ball crashes off the cross bar and out for a goal kick.



One last moment of magic this time from Concord in the 90th minute ‘which saw Michael Begg go on a solo run down the Manor left, Begg cuts into the Manor box and finds a yard to caress the ball into the net making the final score 4-2 to the Manor.

The Manor will take much from this game other then the 3 points. A superb team performance by the men in Blue, cemented by a few individual moments of brilliance, special praise for Junior Konadu who performed brilliantly all afternoon, however, the Manor of the Match goes to Steve Willis with “A big Captains performance” Willis was full of encouragement for his team and was totally positive throughout the match.

Manor Man of the Match

Steve Willis - Captain's Performance

...Steve Willis

Manor Team:

Chamberlin, Mclean, Willis (Capt), Barratt, Cummins, Wallace, Konadu , Smith, Nelson, Stephenson, Amado.

Subs Leary, Tartan, Fox, Mounter, Mulcare, Addai

Att: 34