Leighton came into this cup game against a team new to the league but already setting the standard in the league above so it was always going to be a hard task, Something made even harder with Edwards and Mattacks both missing from the previous weeks and Andrews missing from injury, however back into the squad came brooks, wingrave and greenall.
For the first ten minutes the game was even with both teams playing some decent passing football but neither creating a chance, however the breakthrough came early as from a corner a anor fields player ran unmarked to the front post to score from 5 yards. With manor fields now getting into their stride and playing some good attacking football town were finding it hard to get into the game butwere finding some joy down the right through Oxleys excellent overlapping runs creating numerous chances that were dealt with by the away defence. Despite the hard work of Childs up top it was hard to create any clear cut chances and Manor were on top and scored their second goal on the half hour when a cross was cleared to the edge of the box to thier midfielder unmarked to place it in the corner. This was hard on town and it got even harder just before half time as their centre forward played an easy one two in the box before placing it in the corner.3-0 didnt reflect most of the half and Town understandably felt hard done by being down at half time as it was mainly their own fault,
The second half began with town looking to restore some pride and come out fighting, now playing 4-4-2 but with Manor now in full stride and showing why they are top of the league above it was hard for leighton to get near the oppositions quick two touch passing and movement, especially Paolo their number 10 who was everywhere and involved in every attack. It wouldnt be long before they would score again as Georgiou got caught in possession wide and they then proceded to play it into the box and after some hesitence from brooks it was placed in the corner to make it four. Despite this early setback Town kept fighting and the battling qualitys of the defence and in particular Marshall in centre midfield kept them at bay for a while but then disaster struck again as Neale tried to be to confident in the fullback area lost the ball and with it the 5th goal as it was played across the box for their striker to tap in. Town being the victims of their own downfall for much of this game. Despite another setback Town kept fighting and Childs was making things uncomfortable for their defence battling hard up front but to no avail. With Town now trying to attack gaps were opening in their defence as Keeper Nick Sibley time and time again pulling of saves to keep the score down, with the best one coming from their number 10 who tried curling one from the edge of the box only for Sibley to finger tip it over the bar.
The 6th goal came when Their striker drilled a shot at goal with Sibley saving expertley only to see sub Greenall try a fancy flick in his 6 yard box resulting in their striker getting a tap in. Another defensive mistake had cost town but they continued to battle bravely and still tried playing their passing game, Dave Migliori now surging down the left creating a couple of chances but with no one able to convert. Georgiou had the best chance as some great skill saw him beat two players only to put the shot straight at their keeper, this was a good as it got for town unfortunetly and after some brave blocks from Mike Migliori and Marshall in Defence and Sibley in goial the 7th came when there player banged it in the top corner from 20 yards. Despite the score line and the at times schoolboy errors town worked hard against a team that no doubt will be pushing for promotion to the top division next season and can take heart from this.
Town are back in the league next week hoping to carry on their push for promotion.
