Before the kick off, both teams respecting one minutes silence, in memory of the late Maureen Bramley, devoted Grandmother of Clapton's Harry Chalk. Maureen will be sadly missed by her friends and family and everyone that knew her. Everyone at Eton Manor Football Club offer their sincere condolences to Maureen's family.

The Manor welcomes their old friends from Clapton to St Chad’s today. Clapton under the new Management of Chris Wood this season, look ‘a well drilled outfit, their previous results in both league and Cup games would suggest the Manor were in for a tough encounter today.

The Manor start the game with some key players not available for selection, Lee Smith, Bradley Nelson, Jamie Barry, Chris Barratt, Charlie Tarten, Jamie Wallace and Neil Barratt all missing for this key fixture this afternoon.

The Manor come close in the opening minutes, Junior Konadu puts through a delightful ball which falls into the path of Ricardo Amado, who advances towards goal, but Clapton’s Keeper, Rhys Madden bravely out of his area to clear an early Manor threat.

Its’ all Manor as Stephenson weaves through a packed Clapton defence, with his back to goal, swivels on the spot and launches a powerful shot towards goal, Madden again quick to react punches the ball over the bar, another lucky escape for the Ton’s.

Ex Manor favourite Lewis Jones, causing the Manor defence a few issues, Jones on the Manor’s books as a 15 year old, looks powerful as he flows down the Manor left, Courtney Mclean matching the youngsters pace to neutralise Clapton’s attack.

Manor’s veteran defender, Ray Coker ‘looks to come off worse, after a heavy challenge, Coker hobbles off to be replaced by Justin Cummins.

Clapton come close, Jones on a lone effort towards the Manor goal, strikes the ball well as it whistles over the bar.

Manor corner, chipped into the danger area, Manor Skipper Steve Willis up first, nods the ball just over the bar.

Midway through the first half and the game being contested in a packed midfield. The Manor slightly edging it, however, Clapton look dangerous on the break.

Clapton working the ball into the Manor box, Justin Cummins tries to defuse the Ton’s attack, but ‘was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, the Match official blows for a Clapton penalty!!!

The Tons leading scorer this season, Chris Thomas steps up to slot the ball home from the Penalty spot, 1-0 to Clapton.

The second half and the Manor look to raise their game, get a corner which is cleared only as far as Liam Mulcare, from 25 yards out ‘as he sends a screamer towards goal, which clips the top of the cross bar and out for a goal kick.

Jason McCarthy back from a lengthy break at the Manor, collects the ball down the right, McCarthy to the by-line whips in a low cross to the feet of Kunle Adeoye who catches the ball well, Madden again down low to make a good save.

The Manor makes their second substitute, McCarthy off for French Striker Ishmael Dembelie. Graham Chester choosing in the 59th Minutes to go for a third Man up front, pays off almost immediately, as Dembelie sails down the right, swings in a great ball to the feet of Adeoye and from close range the Manor front man slots the ball home to make the score 1-1.

62nd minute and Lewis Jones creating some space 30 yards from the Manor goal, side steps Jason Fox and gets just inside the Manor box and slots home to make it 2-1 to Clapton.

The Manor now step up the pressure on the Ton’s defence, Anton Stephenson comes close from a long range effort ‘as the ball skips just past the post.

Clapton on the attack, Manor defence try playing the offside trap, however the flag stays down as Lewis Jones heads off towards the Manor goal, Chamberlin Fankem, the Manor keeper slides out of his area and clumsily ‘using his hands outside the box. The Referee using the rule book to its full intent and shows the Red Card to the bewildered Manor keeper.

The Manor now down to 10 men look in determined mood as several chances goes begging. The Manor now digging in, forcing the Ton’s defence to work hard. Junior Konadu showing fabulous skill and awareness, as he weaves in and out of Clapton’s defence. The Manor not taking their chances and becoming frustrated within the process.

88th Minute and the Manor set-off down the left, Ricardo Amado ‘clearly obstructed on the edge of the box, the referee not hesitating as he blows for a free kick.

Up steps in-form striker Anton Stephenson who smashes the ball into the top right hand corner of the goal, earning the Manor a well deserved equaliser, the score now 2-2.

The Manor comes close to securing all three points in the dieing minutes of the game, Anton Stephenson sending the ball just over the bar.

The game finishing 2-2 and both teams can take much from the game. The Manor showing that they can dig out a result when their backs are against the wall. Full credit to Clapton, who never under estimated the opposition, they worked well as a unit and battled for the entire 90 minutes.

Manor Man of the Match

Junior Konadu- Skilful Performance

_Junior Konadu

Manor Team:

Chamberlin, Mclean, Coker, Willis (Capt), Fox, Mulcare, McCarthy, Konadu Stephenson, Adeoye, Amado.

Subs Leary, Addai, Cummins, Dembelie.

Att: 15