Despite the scoreline
this game was much closer than it looks. Enfield paid
Manor the ultimate compliment a week before this match,
by resting seven key players to make sure they were at
full strength to avenge the 1-1 draw earlier in the season.
The game started brightly with both teams having half
chances before the first goal was scored, it was Manor’s
Bradley Knapman who opened the scoring after just 5mins
when he ghosted in at the far post to head home a Tony
Marsh cross after a Manor short corner. This goal lifted
Manor and they had the champions on the back foot for
the next half hour but failed to convert any of the chances
created, as Knapman, Quinn, Forde, Pamplin and Connolly
all missed golden opportunities to extend the Manor Lead,
with some 10 mins of the half remaining Enfield nicked
two smash and grab goals when first Brotherton headed
home from close range and then Cooper smashing the ball
home after a rare Enfield attack. The second half saw
more end to end football, with both sides creating chances
but failing to convert any. Manor had the lions share,
but again failed to make them count, as, Pamplin, Forde
and Connolly all missed great chances, Manors luck looked
to have changed when after rounding the keeper Forde was
brought down in the box, but the ref seemed to have missed
the incident and waived play on, still Arguing, Manor
players were dealt a cruel blow as Brotherton netted his
second and Enfield’s third from what looked to be
3yds offside. Manor looking to gain something from a great
advert for football pushed forward but were hit on the
break as Cooper fired in his second of the match to wrap
the game up in favour of the champions. Difference on
the day, Town took their chances Manor never. Manor’s
M.O.M. went to Johnny Quinn, a class act in midfield.
Team: Prince, Snazel, Scales, Young,
Marsh, Connolly, D Midford, Quinn, Knapman, Pamplin, Forde,
Subs – Efejuku, Richards, Jenkins,
Smith, Barratt. |
