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Saturday 6th March. Home to Silverstone. Lost
0-4. (ht 0-2)
On a beautiful day to play and a well prepared pitch we were beaten by the league leaders and
failed to score for only the second time this season.
Jaz started but went off injured a fter a couple of minutes to
be replaced by Martin.
The first for Silverstone was a penalty after a clumsy tackle. Straight from the kick off
we were 2-0 down when we were caught in posession , the resulting cross and shot was saved but scrambled in for an own goal.
In the second half we were 3-0 down after 5 minutes when a defender was turned 6 yards out. The shot went in off the post.
after 5 minutes and a couple of minutes later they got their fourth when a clearance was lofted back in for the striker to
lob the keeper.
Anthony came off to be replaced by Louis. Balazs came on for Jake for the last 20 minutes and played
well.
The view is that we didn't deserve to lose by 4-0 but Silverstone were very clinical with their chances and
we didn't help our forwards make much at the other end.
More to follow. Does anyone want to send details to
Jonathan.
Starting XI:
Saturday 27th February. Deanshanger Ath. away
lost 1-2. (ht 1-0)
A game of missed opportunities today. Plenty of shots and not enough on target and a missed
penalty were our undoing.
We had a very strong team and good optomism for our trip to Deanshanger.
Although we did not play well we did still make some good chances and ultimately the authors of our own downfall.
It was good to see Ben get his first goal of the season.
Starting XI. Jamie, Luke, Alex, Cookie, Anthony, Sean,
Ian, Dan Jones, Ben and Jaz.
Saturday 20th February, away to Sherington drew
1-1 (ht 0-1)
The referee did not turn up today, but luckily our substitute Dave Brennan was able to stand in.
As we were all there and we all wanted to play, the game went ahead. Perhaps it was not the right decision. Both
teams played to the conditions and kept it safe.
We had more opportunities in the first half and scored from a corner
when Jim slotted home from close range. We also hit the post.
In the second half Sherington had more of the game and
a slip at the back 5 minutes from the end let Sherington in to level the game.
Thanks to Mike for taking on
the responsibility of going in goal and pulling off some good saves as well.
Starting XI: Mike, Cookie, Alex,
Jim, Luke, Billy, Anthony, Sean, Gareth, Dan and Martin. Jonathan was the only other player available and remained an unused
sub.
Saturday 13th February, away to Brackley Sports
- Won 2-1 (h-t 1-1)
It makes a change to come away from a close game with a win rather than a defeat. This week
we held out for 15 minutes before we gifted the opportunity that gave them the lead. Within a couple of minutes we were level
when a free kick from deep was headed home by top goalscorer Jim.
The winner came late on when we outnumbered the
Brackley defence. Ryan moved the ball wide to Dan who picked out Ian who calmly slotted home.
We also managed to
squander a chance when we hit the post late on.
Two evenly matched teams today, but we came away with the result.
Starting XI: Jamie, Louis, Alex, Jim, Cookie, Mike, Ian, Anthony, Dan J, Ben and Jaz. Subs: Sean, Russ and Ryan.
Saturday 6th February - Away to Grendon Rangers.
Lost 1-3 (ht 1-1)
With Dan Jones unable to get away from work we had a late reorganisation with the 13 available
players.
We were a goal down in 5 minutes when Adam Perna, with his back to goal turned and in one movement struck
home from the edge of the box. Only then did we start to play the ball a little better. Our back 4 of Luke, Mike, Jim and
Cookie worked well and Jamie was on his toes to pick up any thing that came through.
Our equaliser came from a long free
kick from Mike, that Sean got his head to and Jim was in place to finish from close range.
The first half ebbed and flowed.
Jaz was disappointed to have a goal ruled out for offside and I am sure that Grendon were equally disappointed when the same
thing happened to them.
Anthony was back on the right side of midfield and Sean dropped into the centre to partner Ian
and they worked well. Louis started on the left and used his pace and telescopic legs to good effect.
Jaz and Martin
worked hard with their limited opportunities.
In the second half Grendon had the slope in their favour and did
press more, but we were caught offside a little too often. The second half was similar to the first but it was Grendon who
took the lead 15 minutes from the end with a scrambled goal that barely made its was across the line.
Insult to injury
came in the last couple of minutes when Grendon got their third.
This gave the scoreline an unjust appearance.
Saturday 30th January. Home to MK Titans. Lost
2-3. (ht 1-3)
Hoping to take our recent good cup form in to this league game we were 2-0 down in less than 5
minutes and didn't really play any consistent football until half time when were wre 3-1 down.
Titans first was
an own goal when a cross deflected on Ian into the corner of the net. With Mike off the pitch there was a large gap in the
centre of midfield and when the ball was only cleared to the edge of our area ? struck and the ball was deflected wide
of Jamie.
Jim got our goal from a corner to get us back into the game, but we had lost our shape and although we had
a good shout for a penalty when Ben was brought down. (You could hear the thud of the keeper against Ben around the field!)
we did not deserve to be back in the game.
A reorganisation at half-time brought Jake into the centre midfield to play
alongside Ian and we were on the front foot for most of the second half. As in the first half we were caught offside too often
and didn't take our chances. Ian got us a goal from a free kick on the edge of the area that unerringly made it's
way to the top corner.
Titans were still threatening on the break and Douglas was unlucky to hit the bar from distance.
We continued to play and when we had a player injured the referee decided time was up and our opportunity was lost.
Starting XI: Jamie, Luke, Alex, Jim, Cookie, Ben, Mike, Ian, Russ, Jaz and Sean.
Saturday 23rd January. Berks & Bucks
Intermediate Cup. Lost home to Sandhurst Town Res. 2-3 (ht 0-1)
As expected a very competitive game in the last 16 of the Berks & Bucks Intermediate cup against Sandhurst Town
Res. Our opponents arrived just 10 minutes before the scheduled kick off. We kicked off 10 minutes late to allow them to get
then, if only briefly, organised and warmed up. We failed to take advantage of our preparation but did start to come into the game as it went on. It was about 20
minutes in before Jamie had to make any sort of save. At the other end Ben was starting to cause their left back problems
and it was he who broke down the right and crossed for Sean to tap in from close range.We continued to work hard make half chances, but were
unable to add to our score before half time.We were quite confident at half time as we felt that we were competing well and had managed to limit Sandhurst Town
to a few half chances.Sandhurst Town were boosted by a well taken and composed finish at the start of the second half, when a low cross
evaded our defence and made it through to their striker who from close range slotted home. Sandhurst started
to make more chances and eventually A
cross from the left evaded the back line and left a replacement right winger to powerhome. Dan's goal was a free kick from Mike, 40 yards
out and 2 yards off the touchline that got big toed into the box and left the keeper scrambling. It hit the bar and Dan from
2 yards out couldnt miss!
The eventual winner came from the same player who scored the opener and in the same calm manner slotted home. Jamie had to make a very good one handed save As we pressed for the equaliser, we had a good shout
for a penalty turned down when Ben was brought down in the box, Jaz , in his first game of the season, hit the post with a
header and Ben had a goal disallowed for offside when he collected a through ball and slotted home. Our captains frustration overcame him as the , for the second
time made a reckless tacke and duly received his second booking and left the field. On reflection, we have enjoyed our Berks & Bucks
cup games and perhaps have raised our game to produce some really good performances. We need to transfer this to our remaining
league games and if we do we will be unlucky to be beaten or have faced a very good side.
Starting
XI: Jamie, Ant, Alex, Jim, Luke; Ben K., Mike, Jake, Ian; Sean & Dan J.
Sat 12th December. Berks & Bucks Cup. Home
to Slough Heating - won 2-1 after extra time. Full-time 1-1. (ht 1-0)
We took our Berks & Bucks form
against Holmer Green in to this game. We had to be resilient for the first period but after Ian scored from a free
kick we came into the game some more. Slough hit the bar when S.Gilder was clean through. Martin gave way to Ryan at half
time.
1-0 up at half time, but when Cookie was sent off for handling the ball; when he could not get out of
the way of a point blank shot, we knew we had to battle some more.
The resulting penalty sent Jamie the wrong way.
Chances continued to come at both ends with perhaps Slough having more, though Ian hit the bar in the last couple of minutes
of normal time.
We usually win our second period of games, but now we had to see if we could play an hour with 10 men
and still get a result.
Louis was injured, so we reshuffled again.
Our winner came from a left footed corner from
Ian that was bundled home by Sean from close range. Though the cross from Ian was again excellent the finish was not what
you would call beautiful, but it gave us hope and something to defend. We reorganised again. For awhile we held our own and
it was not obvious that we were a man down. We came under increasing pressure in the last 10 minutes with Slough going
close on several occasions.
Jamie is obviously saving his best performances for this competition.
Home to
Sandhurst Town Reserves in the next round.
Thanks to Rocky and the ground staff at Loughton Sports for making the
pitch playable for today.
Starting XI: Jamie, Louis, Luke, Jim, Cookie; Anthony, Mike, Jake, Ian; Dan Jones
& Martin.
More to follow...
Link to the website of our next opponents in the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup.
Sat 5th December. Home to Castlethorpe, won 5-4 (ht 3-4)
A ding dong doo today on a heavy pitch
that did not stop both sides playing good attacking football. There were 4 penalties awarded in the game all converted, 3
to Manor and 1 to Castlethorpe.
Debuts for the season from Ben Knowles and Dan Stanton.
We think the scores went 0-1, 1-1,2-1,2-2,2-3,3-3,3-4,
HT 4-4,5-4
We started in our now traditional Manor against Castlethorpe, by going a goal down after a couple of minutes.
We did something we don't often do, let in a goal from a corner. Dan Bass delivered corner to the near post Clint
Horne “stooped” to head the first goal (he is 6’5’’)
One all – anybody?
2-1 to us. I think that was the Landy tap in from a yard. We done for getting there though.
Castlethorpes equaliser
was a penalty when Luke decided to go to the floor in the box and pulled down the striker. Dan Bass fired equaliser from the
spot
2-3 down Paul Nevin picked up the ball 20 yards out evaded 2 challenges and fired a shot towards bottom (keepers
left corner) Jamie managed to get a hand on it but couldn’t prevent it going in
3-3
Castlethorpe
re take the lead Brilliant through ball from young Will Chapman (17 years old) down the left. Andy Owens
took it round defender and fired across the goal the ball fell to Paul Nevin who fired his second from 10 yards out Half –time.(Alex version) our 4th goal went something
like this (as I remember it)…“A beautifully weighted ball was played through by Alex from the halfway line into the box. The ball floated
over the top of the defender and onto Landy’s foot – who’d cut inside from the left.As Landy turned to shoot he was
either hit by a sniper in the bushes by the playground, or tripped over his clown feet. Either way, he won a penalty which
was converted by Jim with great aplomb to net his hat-trick and take him within two goals of the much coveted “top goal
scorer” title.”(Mike’s version) 'The manor captain/hero used his electric pace to latch onto a sliced hoof from the manor
centre back, only for the Castlethorpe defender to deny a certain goal with a deliberate handball' Our 5th? Jonesy hit the bar, and Knowlesy hit 2 posts and won
2 penalties!
Well refereed by Ron James.
More to follow.
Starting XI Jamie, Ant, Alex, Jim, Luke; Ben, Mike, Jake, Ian; Sean & Dan Jones.
28th November. Home to Syresham Won 3-2
(ht 2-1)
A deserved victory this week; we played much better in the first half and could have run away with the game. We took
the opportunity given by the conditions (not windy or raining) and the slow start from Syresham to control the first part
of the game. Jamie. In goal, was reduced to collecting through balls.
Dan
Jones got us under way when he picked up the ball in a deep position, turned and struck well from distance. Of late we have
struggled to make opportunities and take them; today we were making the chances and had several opportunities to go two up.The first Syresham
goal came from a throw on the right that was headed on to the back post eluding our defenders and falling to M.Lewis (No 10)
who went for the spectacular overhead kick into the roof of the net. This did pick up Syresham and they came into the game
more. Jim
got us back in front before half time when he struck home the second ball from a corner.
Our mood at half time was much improved
from previous weeks and we believed that we should go on and win the game. The whole team had played well.
The second half was
much more even after Syresham raised their game. Jake came on for Anthony and it was Jake who got the third. A low shot from
distance deceived the keeper. We were not holding on to the ball as much, but when we did we did look dangerous. Dan Jones
was enjoying his deeper role. Jamie was still being worked and produced one really good save. Syresham got their second when their
number 10, with his back to goal flicked over his shoulder and the defender, turned and struck home from just inside the box
on the volley/half volley. Jake also hit the post and someone else both posts with a shot that finally ended safely in the keepers
arms.
Soon after we were reduced to 10 men when a punch and kick on our captain was missed by the referee but not by Dan
Toon. He decided to take retribution and was duly given the red card. From then on we were holding on but still made chances at
the other end. Ryan playing on his own up front turned the defender and passed the ball home but the goal was disallowed.
Not sure why.
Starting XI: Jamie, Luke, Alex, Jim, Cookie, Ian, Anthony, Mike, Dan J, Sean & Dan T. Subs: Jake
and Ryan.
Saturday 21st November. Away to Brackley in
the Divisional cup. Lost 3-1 (ht 3-0)
Another poor first half, we only had one shot on target, left us too much
to do in the second half in which we had more of the play. The pitch was understandably heavy and the cross wind did make
play a little more difficult than usual.
We were a goal down after 10 minutes when a free kick from wide was held
up in the wind and dropped into the back of the net. We were 2-0 down when we twice failed to clear before the Brackley
player made the most of a tackle in the area. The resulting penalty was placed comfortably to the keepers left. After
about 30 minutes we were 3 down when a cross from the right was bundled in at the back post.
We were obviously
disappointed with our first half display and with nothing to lose we did raise our game. Within a few minutes of the restart
a bouncing ball came to Ian 30 plus yards out, he took the option to lob the keeper and made the right choice to give
his 5th goal of the season. No tap ins for Ian! He had a good opportunity later in the half, but his placed shot hit the outside
of the post. We were playing better than we had for awhile and in the effort to make one of our chances stick, Ryan was
introduced for Alex and for the last 10 a tiring Dan Toon gave way for our new signing, Martin Johnston. His strike late on
was wide of the post. Ryan had an opportunity to strike on goal, but chose to pass to Dan Jones whose shot was blocked
by a resolute defence.
Starting XI: Jamie, Luke, Alex, Jim, Billy, Louis, Anthony, Mike, Ian, Dan
J. and Dan T.
Saturday 14th November. Away to Stewkley - Lost
3-1 (ht 1-1)
Although we were 1-0 up after a couple of minutes, we succumbed to the wind and rain and a Stewkley
team that, on the day, were better than us.
Not one of our best days. Ian put us in from with a free kick. Both
teams had chances, but Stewkley got their equaliser when they broke down their right and the cross was met by one of their
midfielders who stroked the ball home.
Alex gave away a penalty and we were 2-1 down and then a little later we
were 3-1 down when a direct free kick that Jamie could only get his finger tips to.
Sat 7th November. Away to Holmer Green Lost
1-0 (ht 0-0) In the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup.
A very good performance from the 11 players who
turned up today. Holmer Green are 3rd in the South Midlands 1st Division (The same division as Stony Stratford Town and New
Bradwell St Peter) and are unbeaten 5 points behind the leaders with 4 games in hand.
Just to come away with a
respectable result, we knew that we would have to battle for everything today, and that is what we did. Although we did not
put the keeper under too much threat, we did make some half chances. Most of the play was at the other end but the chances
that they had were struck wide or dealt with by Jamie in the goal. They did hit the post late on but the winner came 10 minutes
into the second half when some indecision gave the Holmer Green forward a guilt edged opportunity which he took with ease.
To be fair to Holmer Green they played good football in all parts of the field and all their players were comfortable
on the ball. They played with good spirit and are a credit to football.
This is the link to the Holmer Green version of the game. Football/Holmer Green Seniors
Saturday 31st. Home to Southcott RA. Won
1-0 (ht 1-0)
Jim got the goal from the spot in a game we never had under complete control. However this does
take us up to 6th in the table.
Southcott RA played the game in their often used 3/5/2 formation. The game to quite a while
to settle down and it was more than 20 minutes before Mike had a header that went closely wide, within a couple of minutes
a run down the left by Dan was crossed hard and low, but neither Anthony or Sean could stretch to poke the ball home.It was 40 minutes in when Russ broke
through and was brought down in the box. Jim stepped up to thump the ball home. Just before half time Russ closed down the
keeper and took the ball with full force from the keepers kick, but the ball went wide of the post.Another chance before half time was from Ian’s
corner. Jim won the header but Mike could not stretch to put the ball away. We felt that Southcott were stronger than previous seasons and it we did relax in any way they could get back into
the game. Southcott did have more chances
in the second half and on occasions we were reduced to committed defending and a bit of luck to keep to keep us ahead.Louis came on for Sean for the last
20 minutes. There continued to be half chances at both ends.
Starting XI: Jamie, Luke, Alex,
Jim, Cookie, Anthony, Ian, Mike, Russ, Sean and Dan J.
Thanks to Jake for running the line. It was really appreciated
and shows his support to the rest of the players and the club.
Saturday 24th. Home to Thornborough Athletic.
Lost 4-1 (ht 2-0)
A wet and windy afternoon for our third game at Loughton. The rain started just as we kicked off and although we
had the wind at our backs, we did not make full use of it, only bringing a couple of saves from the keeper.Last minutes changes were needed
to the starting XI and we were again left with 11 fit players.We fell behind from a break from the right and were two down when a Thornborough won a header inside the box from
a long throw. Although we had moments of very
good football, we were all disappointed with our performance in the first half and it was apparent that Thornborough were
more determined to win the individual battles. We
made a change in formation for the second half and we did lose a third goal before we got the hang of it. From then on we
did have more of the ball and Russ latched on to a through ball to give us some hope of a come back, but as we continued to
press we were again caught out at the back when a long though ball clipped Anthony’s head as it made its way to the
Thornborough striker who struck home.
Saturday 17th October. Away to MK Titans.
Won 2-1 (ht 1-1)
Bletchley
Manor bounced back from a disappointing result last week to secure an important victory over MK Titans. Manor took the lead from a corner as Jim headed home from Mike's throw into the box. The
lead was short lived as an unmarked striker latched onto a cross from the wing to volley the home team level. Sean came off the bench to grab the winner towards the end of the second half, claiming all three
points for Bletchley Manor. Another ball from Ian, this time from the left, was met by Sean just outside the goal mouth and
duly dispatched. Following last
weeks performance there was an air of determination inside the Manor changing room. Having dropped points to MK Titans in
the previous two seasons the team lined up in an untested 3-5-2 formation to counteract Titans style of play. While Manor adjusted to the formation Titans made use of the space behind the wingers, playing the
ball diagonally behind the wingers on a number of occasions with no end result. But it wasn't too long before Manor found
their feet and started pressing the game. The defence adapted well with Billy playing
the sweeper role allowing Mike and Alex to mark the opposition strikers man-to-man. Jamie communicated well, coming out to
collect the ball when necessary. Louis, playing the role of winger with Ant, quickly
picked up on the diagonal ball and worked hard to cut out the pass. With Jim and Ian playing in the centre of midfield Russ
was given free license to run at the defence providing a link to the two front men, Dan J and Dan T. The score stayed level
at 1-1 until half-time. Manor started
the second half well, confident that the win was within reach, they played a higher line pressuring the ball and players in
possession. It wasn't long before Dan T had a gilt-edge opportunity in front of goal but managed to slot the ball wide.
Tactical substitutions midway through the half saw Sean in a straight switch for Russ
while Dan T was replaced by Cookie who moved to the right wing as Ant stepped into the role of striker. The substitutions soon paid off as Sean scored the winning goal from close range. A break down the left allowed Ian
to flash a low ball across the face of goal which was met by Sean. With a defender breathing down his neck Sean held him off
and slid through to claim the goal and the eventual win. With a one goal lead Manor couldn't afford to loosen their grip of the game. Jim appeared to be
carrying a knock and was dropped back into defence being replaced by Mike in midfield. The wingers were also reigned in to
offer additional support to the defence. Going into the end of the of the game there
were a few nervous moments but generally "The Manor" defended as a team and secured a well deserved three points.
Starting XI; Jamie, Billy, Mike, Alex, Anthony, Jim, Ian, Louis, Russ, and the tow Dans. Subs: Cookie and Sean.
Thanks for Alex for most of the match report.
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