A bizarre sending
off near the end of the first half made Manor change their
game plan and settle for a draw in the first leg of this
league cup match. Manor’s Johnny Quinn had already
been cautioned when he left the field of play to receive
treatment for a facial injury, minutes after coming back
on Quinn was called over by the ref and asked who had
given permission for his return, Quinn pointed to the
assistant and the ref went over for clarification, but
apparently all knowledge of Quinn reappearing was denied,
and so a second yellow was produced and an early shower
beckoned. Despite this floor in proceedings it was Manor
who produced the best chance of a negative first half,
a Connolly corner eventually fell to Delroy Forde who
hit a blistering shot which struck the underside of the
Brentwood bar and bounced clear. The second half saw Manor
regroup with Forde dropping into midfield to make up for
the missing Quinn. Manor had decided to play for the draw
and go for the result in the second leg, despite only
having 10 men Brentwood rarely looked capable of troubling
the Manor defence which was superbly marshalled by skipper
Gary Scales and keeper Carl Prince had his
quietest game for a few weeks. And so another clean sheet,
and nine games unbeaten for this vastly improving Manor
side. Manor’s M.O.M.
went to Delroy Forde tireless performance both up front
and in midfield.
Goal Keeper Carl Prince has been selected to play in an
Essex Senior League Rep side against the army at Braintree
F.C. on 4/11/03, another first for the Manor.
Team: Prince,
Snazel, Scales, Young, Marsh, Connolly, D Midford, Quinn,
Hudson, Pamplin, Forde, Subs – Efejuku, G Midford,
Richards |