Side Lose Seven Goal Thriller

‘Side started the game well with George Ademiluyi bursting through early on, only for his cross-shot to elude forward Charlie Portway at the far post.

Manor then hit the woodwork before Connor Mitchell headed wide.

On 32 minutes the deadlock was broken. After Charlie Portway had a shot saved by Sidney Stojic, George Lutaaya was on hand to head the resulting corner home, for his first goal of the season.

Six minutes later ‘Side doubled their lead when Ademiliuyi beat his man out wide. His cross was helped on and turned in by forward Kerkstun MacPherson, It was the forward’s second of the season and first since a win over Basildon in September.

Manor keeper Stojic pushed two long-range attempts around a post and saw a defender keep out another header from Lutaaya, before the defender headed over.

Referee Edward Smith then went down with a hamstring injury. After a lengthy delay Smith was forced off and play was only resumed when a stand-in linesman was found.

‘Side then went close to making it 3-0 before Manor reduced the arrears on 40 minutes when Ben Bradbury netted at the near post after running through on goal.

Incredibly before half-time Stojic parried a Portway effort onto an upright before the new referee waved away a penalty appeal for the hosts.

Manor levelled the scores on 56 minutes. After a long-range effort was deflected behind, Mustafa Kahie lashed home a shot past Sam Roach after a header from a corner was cleared off the line.

Stojic then went down after a challenge. The keeper would recover from his knock shortly before Manor took the lead on 66 minutes when Lewis Hagland headed in at the back post.

Gus Gulfer’s men fought back though and equalised on 77 minutes. Forward Luke With heading home for his fourth of the season and his first goal since September.

Incredibly a minute later former ‘Side winger Joe Bricknell struck a sensational effort in to give Manor the lead. The hosts held on for the victory as ‘Side went close late on through long-range efforts of their own.

A frustrating evening for Gus Gulfer’s men, who could have climbed up to 5th in the league table had they won. Instead they remain in 8th.

‘Side: Sam Roach, Jak Mochalski (Fionn Glancy), Paul Wright, Marvin Birch, Maxwell Amoako, George Lutaaya (Dale Lee), George Ademiluyi, Connor Mitchell (Kobie Ambrose), Luke With, Charlie Portway, Kerkstun MacPherson

Subs Not Used: Aidan Lucas, Ryan Bonju