Manor Rue Chances In Town Defeat

On Saturday afternoon, Southend Manor lost 2-1 to Leigh Town in our latest friendly at Waterside Farm 3G.

On a hot day met with temperatures reaching over 30 degrees, it was our opponents who struck first early on to make it 1-0 before eventually making it 2-0 with a matter of a few moments later with a low ball struck beyond Klinton Mayakabo however that soon changed as Manor got their first and only goal of the game following a headed effort by new signing Gianni Frankis who was assisted by a header off Jamie Price which in itself was flown in by Matt Keiller.

Throughout the rest of the opening two halves, both teams were attacking well and pressing to a high intensity as expected during this game however during the second of the four halves, tempers started to fray with both sets of players clashing both on and off the pitch. Luke Jackson who was even doing the line was even told not to stick his flag up towards the final part of the second half when an offside was played by the referee because it could come across as cheating. That just added to the frustration in the pouring heat on Canvey Island.

After the third half started, in an instant flash, it was Leigh Town who broke clear down the left side before Billy Harrison drove the attack out for a corner which in itself got intercepted and rather cut out well. A matter of all of a minute passed before Manor broke free with substitute Luke Jackson trying to catch a great high ball drove in by the Manor defence but unfortunately due to the high bounce of the ball, the opportunity ended up in the hands of the Leigh Town keeper.

A few minutes passed before Jackson was the heart of the action again with feeding a great ball onto Ronnie Edwards who was making his debut for Manor who shot a great volley just high in what was great action to witness. Yet again, a few moments later saw Matt Keiller drive his way down in an attack before setting the ball onto Ben Allen who made a low and simple shot at the Leigh Town keeper in what a great and encouraging effort by Manor.

Yet again, minutes passed before Jackson struck another great 25 yard strike at the Leigh Town keeper which was saved once more. Manor looked so sure to grab an equaliser sooner or later but unfortunately the ball wasn't hitting that precious goal line. A few minutes more saw Joe Elliot smacking a 25 yard free kick at the Town keeper which was saved once again into his hands.

Ronnie Edwards was back involved with the action just a moment later as Elliot threw in a great throw which was met by the tall dominance of Jamie Price before Edwards tried to backheel into the net but yet again, the Leigh Town keeper was there to save the day for the visitors.

As the fourth half came along, Manor were yet again pushing once more to grab that crucial second goal of the game and within a minute of the restart, Luke Jackson was back in the action as he pulled off a great shot on target which hit the right hand side netting. Just moments later and he was helped by the great ball made by Billy Harrison who crossed in and made an effort which was rebounded. Manor couldn't find a way through this Leigh Town defence throughout.

Even Ruben Kennedy who broke through the Hoddesdon defence in February couldn't find a way after he made a shot which went just wide just moments after Billy Harrison shot a few times at the Town defence and saw his efforts blocked. Harrison returned just a few moments later as he made a great cross into Kennedy who headed the ball just wide amid a claim for a penalty rejected by the referee. Manor new signing Pellumi Adedokun had a great chance set up by Kennedy with another shot made just wide of the left hand post. That was the last major phase of play before the referee called for full time and with it, Manor enduring a second pre-season friendly defeat in as many games.

Analysis From Andy Wilkins:
Its simple enough to credit Leigh Town for their efforts in the hot summer sun of Canvey Island against us but ultimately it was a game where we could've and should've turned some of the many efforts made in the latter two halves into goals but all credit is due to the Leigh Town defence and goalkeeper who kept the likes of Billy Harrison, Ronnie Edwards and Luke Jackson at bay throughout.

Pre-season is definitely about learning where you went wrong from in the last season and no doubt in Monday night's game against Shenfield and then the away trip to Stanway Rovers on Saturday, the Manor lads will be wanting to turn their wrongs into the rights as we edge nearer to restarting competitively once again. Especially given the frustration endured by the lads in not turning the opportunities they had the chance to put into the net.

However, as stated last week, Leigh Town did offer a different game to what Lopes Tavares offered and they definitely look a great force to be beckoned with in the upcoming Essex Olympian League Division 2 campaign where they will take on some good sides like Laindon Orient and Corinthians after what we saw them showcase on Saturday afternoon against us on what was a tough surface at Waterside Farm to play on under the sweltering heat as well.

Taking on Shenfield on Monday night won't be easy by any means nor will Stanway who fitted back into the Eastern Counties Premier last season without any major hiccups like as if they never spent a season away in the Essex Senior League.