Our unbeaten start to 2020 was broken after three games in following a 3-0 defeat to West Essex at Southchurch Park on Saturday afternoon.
In the opening 15 minutes, it was the visitors in West Essex who had a great amount of possession and early chances in general whilst looking very composed in their midfield and defence.
Manor goalkeeper Alex Gillespie, who was making his debut for the club, managed to shine throughout with one notable occasion when a corner was dived in from the left side of play and Gillespie was able to make his hands reach the ball high in the air before landing safely and exporting the ball out of the penalty area.
It wasn't until the 31st minute when West Essex grabbed the lead through a corner driven from the right hand side which led to Emmanuel Oluwole heading the ball high and beyond the goal line despite an attempted line clearance from Manor defender Joe Elliot.
About 8 minutes later saw Manor have a chance to equalise when a ball from Louie Hunt on the right hand side crossed into Luke Jackson who's shot was then blocked by West Essex keeper Coker.
The second half started about 5 minutes in saw Jackson being sinbined by the referee for reportedly saying something which eventually emerged as being said by one of the Manor players who wasn't on the pitch and in fact in the stands.
Less than a few minutes later saw West Essex double their lead through Bradley Russell who scored via a Sam McNally assist who slotted the ball into him from the left hand side. This goal coming just moments after Manor had been given a corner of which West Essex counter attacked upon.
20 minutes later saw Michael Mignot make it 3-0 to West Essex following a high through ball through from the right hand side.
In the closing moments, Manor had the chance to get a consolation goal when Ruben Kennedy capitalised on a flying header which was crossed in by Jackson. However the header went wide and ultimately proved it had been a bad day at the office for the hosts.
Full time came along and with it, West Essex winning 3-0 and winning ultimately for the first time in a number of months. Manor will be hurting from the loss but the chance to redeem themselves from this game is set to come along in their next two games with ties against Tower Hamlets and Woodford Town set to be played within the next 12 days.