Its was a fresh and dry morning which greeted the Swan Inn boys as they arrived at a surprisingly well playable pitch over at Writtle Agricultural college with everyone relieved to be pulling the shirt back on after several weeks with no game. The swan lined up with Ben Smith in goal back four of Savva, Robbie, Mouser and Olly with 4 in the midfield of Milko, Rhyso ©, Gurry and Mitch with the dangerous Russ Kemp and Barden up top.
The first 20 minutes saw the Swan make light of to be honest a poor Mannex side with only their number 8 offering anything of a threat. The Swan low on confidence and lacking a cutting edge could not make their pressure count with several opportunities going a miss with 2 missed from a combination of 10 yards! As It has been all year for the Swan a long ball over the top and Mannex were in Savva chasing down forward to get back only managed in bundling over forward and referee duly pointed to the spot which was smashed straight down the middle 1-0 Mannex. Swan again began to take control and finally got their just rewards when good build up play between Savva, Milko and Barden saw the latter set down wing to centre for skipper Rhyso to nod home the equaliser. The belief left Mannex after goal and format for rest of first half was much the same as Swan dominated and Rhyso was again influential as his one two with Russ Kemp left Russ to slot home another good move and goal 2-1 Swan half time.
Manager O’Brien made two changes at half time with Jimmy Dons coming on to replace Mitch and Chris Mizzi coming on at right back with Savva moving up into right wing. Second half got under the way and Swan’s attitude was all wrong and Mannex started to grow into the game having by far the better of the opening 10-15mins and their pressure told as a sliced shot at goal turned into the perfect through ball and Mannex forward duly prodded home beyond on rushing Ben. The equalising goal seemed to wake the Swan again and they regained the lead through some dogged play from substitute Jimmy Dons forced the loose ball across the line and into path of Russ Kemp who had simplest tasks of tapping home for his second and 3-2 Swan. Jimmy Dons good work again from bench got its just rewards as Mitch; (coming back on for Savva who suffered from illness during second period) put a delightful ball across which Jimmy was on the end of 4-2 Swan. With the game heading towards a tight victory and with Mannex giving up the Swan and top scorer Sam Barden grab a late goal despite a dubious offside flag to finish the game in style 5-2 Swan and hopefully a stepping stone for the Swan to push on now with several players coming back into the fold in next coming weeks!! BIG WHITE DUCKS!!!!!
BY GRADY O'BRIEN.
