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Tuesday 20th April home to Sherington won 6-2
(ht 1-1)
We had lots of good and half chances before Sherington took the lead by beating the offside trap. Eventually
Mike thumped home the ball from close range for the equaliser. Jamie had to make a good save from an on rushing
forward to keep us level. We continued to make chances but at half time were frustrated that we did not have the lead.
We started the second half very well and Ryan headed home a cross from the right from close range to give us
the lead. From there it looked as though we could go on and dominate the game. However it was Sherington who got the next
goal when a lucky bounce on their right wing enabled the cross to come into a dangerous area that resulted in an own goal.
We took the lead for the first time when a Sherington defender headed back to his keeper only for the ball to trickle
into the net. Once Mike had his second and our fourth we started to look as though we would be safe. Jake scored when his
shot was fumbled by the, otherwise excellent, keeper and Dan Jones rounded off the game in style with his 13th goal
of the season. Very good play in the second half; we were offside a little too often but good play from the whole
team.
Starting XI: Jamie, Alex, Luke, Jim, Cookie, Anthony, Mike, Jake, Louis, Ryan and Dan. Subs: Martin and Jaz.
Saturday 17th. Home to Steeple Claydon lost
1-3 (ht 1-1)
A very competitive game today. We took the lead through a Russ header from a Balazs cross and at
that stage looked to be causing problems for the Steeple Claydon back line.
Steeple Claydon equalised just on the
stroke of half time when Sam Ball collected the ball on the edge of the area and was given time to turn and strike the ball
home. His second was from a clearing header that he thumped home from distance. The best was his last when he chased
a ball down the right and hit a half volley, at an angle, over the keeper that dipped into the net. There was very little
Jamie could do about any of the goals.
More to follow...
Starting XI: Jamie, Louis, Mike, Jim, Cookie,
Ant, Balazs, Jake, Russ, Ryan, Dan.
Saturday 10th home to Grendon Rangers. Won 3-1
(h-t 2-1)
Ryan with four goals in the second half in midweek could not wait to carry on and when he closed down
the keeper he was first to the rebound to slot home after just 24 seconds. This did not help settle Grendon and just four
minutes later a free kick from Jake was driven into the bottom corner to leave Grendon with an uphill struggle.
They
did respond; and for a lot of the first half it was attack V defence, but we can be resolute and it wasn't until Adam
Perna was the first to react to his saved penalty kick that Grendon got their goal.
The second half started
evenly but as the game wend on Grendon exerted more pressure, but the gaps started appearing at the back. Grendon eventually
went to three at the back and Russ was the one who made the best of his chance in the last five minutes.
Starting
XI: Jamie, Louis, Luke, Jim, Cookie, Anthony, Mike, Jake, Russ, Dan & Ryan. Subs Martin and Alex.
Wednesday 7th home to Wolverton Town. Won 4-1. (ht
0-0)
Four second half goals from Ryan but there were many more who could also claim Man of Match tonight. At
one stage the game had 0-0 written all over it. Manor weathered the pressure exerted by Wolverton in the first 20 minutes,
but we started to get back in to the game as the half rolled on.
Sean took a knock on the knee just before half
time and was unable to continue into the second half. Martin came on in his place.
Ryan gave us the lead but were
soon pegged back when a shot from Gary Davis was parried by the keeper but it got tangles up in the legs of his brother and
the ball trickled over the line.
The game was close to bubbling over but the referee kept the game under control.
Our second came from a mistake at the back and and soon after it was three. The best was the last from Ryan who for once
used his laces to volley the ball home.
I am sure we will have more details from Ryan to add to this later tonight.
Particular mentions for our centre backs Luke and Mike and Sean's first half display but we all played our part.
Starting XI: Jamie, Anthony, Mike, Luke, Cookie, Louis, Jake, Sean, Dan, Ryan and Jaz.
Saturday April 3rd. Thornborough away. Won 4-2
(ht 1-2)
A very fine performance today on Thornboroughs difficult pitch. A goal down in the first few minutes
and another before too long meant we had an uphill battle from the start. Although we were gifted our goal back into the game
when the keeper made an error when put under pressure by Dan gave Ian a simple tap in. We did play well but did not make
the keeper work too hard.
Our football improved in the second half and we were making more chances. Another tap
in from Ian and a brace from Dan gave us the victory our football deserved.
Starting XI: Jamie, Luke, Alex,
Jim, Cookie, Anthony, Jake, Mike, Dan, Sean & Ian. Subs: Louis and Billy.
Saturday March 27th. Home to Stewkley. Won 4-2
(ht 1-1)
Although we kicked off we were a goal down in less than a minute when Stewkley picked up a ball in
our half and ran past the defence to put the ball home. Thankfully within a couple of minutes when a corner was chipped back
in by Russ for Mike to head home.
The game then settled down and it was not until about 15 minutes before Anthony made
himself some good space from a cross but failed to work the keeper.
Soon after we had a series of half chances that we
failed to convert. Stewkley had a goal disallowed for offside.
There after neither side made good clear chances. Stewkley
had a player who took a head injury and was receiving treatment for 10 minutes but we failed to make the advantage count.
A couple of changes at half time saw the introduction of Ben and Jake. This half we held out for 3 minutes before
we did not deal with a run through the middle and we were 2-1 down. With in a minute Sean struck from distance to put us back
on level terms.
Thereafter we had a series of chances but could not get the lead. Balazs struck an indirect free kick
sweetly into the top corner and the frustration continuted. Stewkley were still dangerous on the break. Alex came on for Mike.
About 5 minutes from the end Dan got the goal he deserved and soon after the points were sealed when he made the second by
winning the ball on the left, holding it up for Balazs to tap in from close range.
Starting XI: Jamie, Cookie,
Mike, Jim, Luke, Anthony, Sean, Balazs, Russ, Dan & Ian.
Saturday 20th March. Away to Southcott Village RA.
Won 2-0 (ht 1-0)
We usually have to battle hard for points against Southcott but today they didn't seen
up for it today. In the first half with the wind at our back we made several chances. Mike scored with a header from
a corner. Ian hit the bar with a well struck shot from distance. At the other end Jamie was reduced to picking up the pieces.
Southcott started the second half better and could have got an equaliser. However Sean got our second and from there we
were not put under pressure too much.
Starting XI; Jamie, Cookie, Alex, Jim, Luke, Ant, Mike, Balazs, Russ, Ian
and Sean. Subs: Martin.
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