Catlin Rovers FC 2 Leigh Rockets 1

Sunday Sceptre League Hollywood Cup (Div 3) Final, Thursday 27th March 2014

The second cup final at Southchurch Park Arena saw Catlin Rovers and Leigh Rockets do battle.  Leigh were slight favorites as they were the higher placed team in the league.  The game began in still conditions but quickly those conditions became woeful and strong winds with heavy rain/hail proceeded to accompany most of the first half making football very difficult to play.  The opening goal went to Catlin on the half hour when a long range effort was parried into the path of an incoming forward who tapped home.  This lead lasted two minutes as Leigh won a set piece out on the right and the ball in was sliced into the net by an unfortunate defender.  Catlin did re take the lead a few mins later when a through ball found a forward and he finished well.  Apart from these goals there wasn't a lot of football played, such was the conditions and half time came and went, and so did the wind and rain and the second half was played in still dry conditions, and as a result a better half of football was observed.  Both teams could of added to their tallies but it remained 2-1 to Catlin and Leigh did put some pressure on Catlin in the last few mins but they held on to record a good victory.

Southend Manor 0 Tower Hamlets 2

Essex Senior League, Wednesday 26^th March 2014

Manor welcomed high flying Tower Hamlets to the Arena last night hoping to try and gain at least a point to stop the losing streak. And Manor started much better than they did on Monday night by closing down space and holding onto the ball when in possession.  Hamlet’s did create the games first chance when they broke through the back line but keeper Matthew Walker saved well. For all of Manor’s endeavour Hamlets were creating the chances but found Walker in inspired form to keep the score down to 0-0.  Manor themselves were looking to get forward as much as they could but had no end product which has been the problem in the last few games. When the half time whistle blew Manor felt satisfied with their work so far, keeping a good side like Hamlets at bay was a good achievement and they would hope that the half time oranges would inspire them to even more success. Alas it wasn’t to be.  Although on  the hour mark Manor had two great chances to score, both from corners, but wayward headers and good defending stopped what would have been a very welcome goal for the home side.  Then on 63 minutes one moment of sloppiness in the Manor backline allowed Kane Wilson to get in behind and slot past Walkers hand for 1-0.

Manor to their credit didn’t let this get to them and continued to try and play football, although a few passes were going astray and giving up possession cheaply didn’t help the cause, although the fight was most certainly there. However on 77 minutes Hamlets doubled their lead with another sloppy goal.  Stephen Demetriou’s free kick from the left side of the box was driven in low and missed everyone and went straight in the far corner, with the keeper totally unsighted and with no chance of stopping it, for 2-0.

This kind of ended the game after that and although Manor continued to battle hard they just lost out to more powerful opponents in the end.  But well played Manor and I’m sure if they continue to work as hard as they did tonight then results will come.  Well done to Hamlets though who are now only two points behind our neighbours Great Wakering Rovers.

Enfield 1893 5 Southend Manor 0

Essex Senior League, Monday 24th March 2014

Manor visited Enfield last night hoping to put in a performance after two heavy defeats. But with 14 players unavailable due to injuries/work commitments it was going to be tough. It didn't start well either as on 4 minutes the home side took the lead as from a corner Kizzi ghosted in unmarked and his powerful header goalwards was only helped into the net by Priddle for a 1-0 lead. Four minutes later and it was 2-0 as John Bricknell got in behind the Manor backline and finished comfortably past Priddle. Manor's inability to defend set pieces was alarming and from another corner it was 3-0 on 14 minutes when after a block on the line Sykes was on hand to smash the rebound over the line. It was 4-0 on 22 minutes when a free kick hit the bar and flew high into the air and no one in the Manor line were quick enough to react to the ball and it was headed in by Haywood. Enfield kept on coming and it seemed a cricket score would ensue but after this Manor began to dig in and try and make it difficult for their opponents. The second half was mainly played in the Manor half but a combination of poor passing/finishing and Manor in vigor the score line stayed at 4-0, that was until 74 minutes when Enfield won a free kick about 25 yards out and this was brilliantly struck in by Joe Bricknell to make it 5-0. Manor continued to try and play though and fashioned a couple of chances near the end for themselves but sadly they couldn't take one of these which would of at least ended the game on a brighter note.

Leigh United II FC 6 LPA South FC 1

Sceptre Sunday League Cliff Thompson Cup (Div 8) Final, Thursday 20th March 2014

The first of four cup finals at The Southchurch Arena, Southend Manor FC, was between Leigh United II FC and LPA South FC.  LPA had the strong gusty wind behind them in the first half but it was Leigh who took the lead after 12 minutes when a cross from the right was turned past his own keeper by the unfortunate defender for 1-0.  LPA continued to attack with help from the wind but couldn't make anything count.  Leigh scored a sucker punch second goal after a brilliant cross onto the striker's head was nodded past the outstretched keepers hand for 2-0 and that was the half time score.  Leigh, now with the wind second half, began to dominate and made it three nil when a ball over the top was run onto but he was brought down and a penalty was given and a red card for LPA's centre back for being last man.   The penalty was scored so 3-0 and game over surely.  But LPA came back and got a penalty of their own to make it 3-1 but then immediately conceded again and this seemed to knock the stuffing out of them and Leigh scored a couple more times before the end to make it 6-1 and comfortable.  

Southend Manor 0 London APSA 1

Essex Senior League, Monday 17th March 2014

Another day another match at the Southchurch Arena, Southend-on-Sea as Manor played their third home game in six days.  APSA were the visitors and this was their third visit to South Essex in five days such is the fixture congestion currently.  Anyway the game began with both teams trying to stamp their authority on it and Manor had the first shot on goal when Brenden Cavalier’s effort from outside the box was tipped over the bar by APSA keeper Manuel Selva.  APSA were dangerous going forward themselves too and their pacey forwards were giving Manor’s back line something to think about.  Manor’s new keeper Matthew Walker, in for the injured Lawrence Priddle, was tested with a few efforts but none of these were that testing in truth and were saved easily.  Charlie Little was causing a few problems down the right but his final ball either wasn’t accurate enough or he had no one to pass the ball too, as Manor lacked that cutting edge in front of goal.  Max Drury, Manor’s full back, went on a couple of runs down the wing but these came to nothing too.  Charlie Bridgeman, Manor’s forward, went on a good run before the half but his ball into the box found a defender again and was cleared.  The second half was much the same to be honest with both teams having their attacks but not creating anything noteworthy.  Kye Jude was a rock at the heart of the Manor defence as always and Dean Smith Shaw, Manor’s skipper, was as robust as ever in midfield.  As the half wore on APSA began to gain control and as the half entered its final ten minutes they started to put more pressure on Manor’s backline.  With seven or so minutes to go they thought they had a penalty when Walker’s challenge was deemed legal by the referee, much to the annoyance of APSA.  However with four minutes to go another challenge from Walker involving an APSA forward and Kye Jude resulted in a penalty for the visitors.  Fahad Nyanja coverted the spot kick to send Manor to a very disappointing defeat.  But they go again on Wednesday as they visit the Mile End Stadium to take on Sporting Bengal United.  No rest for the wicked as they say!!!  UP THE MANOR!!!