The Manor welcomes East End rivals London APSA to Tilbury today. APSA fielding a much changed side to the one the Manor faced early season when the Manor won by 4-0.

The Manor without their skipper Steve Willis ‘who pulled out due to a muscle strain ‘when twisting his leg against Romford last week. Also out is the Manor's Anton Stephenson serving a one match suspension, in his place the highly rated striker Israel Toko recently back from the States where he was playing his football at Alderson Broaddus College. Also back into the squad and on the Subs bench is Manley Brown, Brown last scored in the League Cup Quarter Final clash against Burnham when he scored the Manor's 2nd goal.

APSA kick off and the Manor taking possession almost immediately, and surge on the visitor’s goal.

Jordan Childs attacks goal down the left, sending in a perfectly weighted ball into the box, Liam Mulcare ‘who dummies the advancing defence and loops the ball towards goal, last minute London APSA stand-in keeper, Simon Bush lunges forward to smother the ball.

The ball knocked forwards just inside the APSA box and looked to be going out of play, Mark Sholaim shielding the ball with his body to allow it to run over the line, however, under estimating the determination of Manor's Kunle Adeoye ‘who managed to angle his foot around the ball and sets off towards the APSA goal, Keeper, Simon Bush is quick to narrow the angle, Adeoye slides the ball low, hitting Bush on the shoulder and out for a corner.

A few minutes later and Bush back into action, this time Toko goes route one, just inside the box and seeing a gap to his right plants the ball high right, Bush needed to come across his goal to palm the ball out for another Manor Corner.

APSA now defending in numbers, 11 men behind the ball as the Manor’s frustrations starting to tell. Midfield battler Lee Smith sends the ball wide to Danny Dobson who goes to the by-line and whips in a great ball to the feet of stand-in Skipper Neil Barratt, Barrett with his back to goal, releases the ball when he sees Toko making a run to his left, Toko 10 yards from goal hits the target with a scuffed effort, Simon Bush again low to his right making a fine save, keeping ASAP in the game.

ASPA now showing some desperate defending, virtually throwing their bodies in the way to block every shot and attempt towards goal by the frustrated Manor front line.

Danny Dobson once more making up ground down the APSA left, swings the ball across goal and over to the far post where Kunle Adeoye is waiting to collect the ball, Adeoye allowing the ball to sit up nicely before lashing the ball goal bound, Bush not knowing much about it ‘as the ball smashes off his chest and out for another Manor corner.

Manor finally getting some reward in the 31st Minute, Courtney Mclean sends a great ball into the box, rebounds off Fahim Shah and into the path of Manor new boy Israel Toko, Toko not hesitating when he notices Bush wrong footed and slides the ball into the net giving the Manor a much deserved lead.

Manor defender Jason Fox sends Jordan Childs on a mazy run down the left, Childs squares the ball to Dobson who positions himself centrally on the edge of the box, Dobson noticing a space to his right tries to curl the ball into the top right, Bush again quick to spot the danger launches himself to his left to make another fine save.

The whistle not coming quick enough for APSA as finally match official Ged Scarson blows for half time.

The second period starts much as the 1st period ended. The Manor get a corner seconds into the restart. Mulcare swings the ball in from the right, the ball knocked back to Ray Coker who sends the ball far left to Childs, Childs going across goal, lays the ball into the path of Toko who blasts the ball just wide of the post.

Manor making their fist substitute, Bradley Brotherton on for Danny Dobson.
London APSA struggling to prevent wave after wave of Manor attacks, the Manor using the flanks to stretch the APSA defence. The visitors continue to shield the ball by having 11 men behind the ball and need a change in strategy if they intend to get anything from the game.

Another substitute, Manley Brown on for Neil Barrett. Brown straight in action as he drives the ball down the right, bursting through the ASAP defence and cutting into the box, Brown showing his pace and strength, finds some space looks to T-up his shot but makes poor connection ‘as the ball bobbles out for a goal kick.

ASPA making a change, Simon Bush swapping the green jersey with Fahim Shah ‘as Bush takes up a lone front position.

As the clock ticks down the Manor continue to break down a resolute APSA defence. The visitors continue to get bodies behind the ball and continue to block the Manor attacks with every part of their body, making it difficult for the Manor to penetrate from close range, so instead try a number of long ranges efforts which were easily dealt with by Shah.

The score ended 1-0 to the Manor. Another 3 points for the Braves ‘who stay in 6th position in the League, with 32 points on the board & games in hand.
Not a pretty match, some desperate defending by the Visitors with no attacks on the Manor goal of any note!

The Manor need now to re-focus in time for the Cup Semi Final against Southend Manor next Saturday at Tilbury.

Manor Man of the Match

Israel Toko - Was the difference on the day

. Israel Toko

Manor Team:

Hall, Mclean, Fox, Coker, Smith, N.Barratt (Capt), Mulcare, Dobson, Toko, Adeoye, Childs,

Subs Addai, Leary, Brotherton, Dallo, Brown.

Att: 17