The Essex Senior League action returned following a Saturday off for FA Vase action last weekend and I made the trip to Southchurch Park to see Southend Manor do battle against Stansted. The Airportmen edged the same fixture last season though prior to kick-off this seemed a good contest.

Onto the starting XI’s then and for Manor, Alex Gillespie got the nod between the posts with wingers Rhys Fatt and Mo Kargbo supporting forward Nathan Dewberry with Lee Delf bombing on from midfield. Stansted welcomed ex-Grays stopper Lamar Johnson in goal with Connor Hammond and Callum Ibe on the flanks supporting main striker Carl Mullings.

Both sides were a little sloppy at the back in the early minutes of the contest, as Manor right winger Rhys Fatt headed wide after being well picked-out by midfielder Robbie Norris. Moments later, Stansted broke down their left flank though Callum Ibe’s low cross teasingly went wide of danger. On 12 minutes, Fatt put in a good deep cross that visiting centre-back Paul Clayton nearly prodded past his own ‘keeper though Johnson made a comfortable save.

Signs of Johnson’s experience were audible given how vocal he was in organising his defence and further forward at times. Stansted winger Connor Hammond was also giving the hosts a headache down the right flank, on one occasion requiring Manor centre-back Ore Mosuro to make an excellent challenge to deny him making the penalty area.

Stansted did get their noses ahead midway through the half as a good ball in from the left wing directly into the near post found defeder Clayton who nipped in and made no mistake from point-blank range. Manor had chances after the half-hour to restore parity though and after a another good run down the wing by Fattt, his cut-back found forward Nathan Dewberry though Dewberry blazed his shot over. Dewberry prodded another chance wide moments afterward. The Airportmen missed a good chance to make their hosts pay as after a error by Manor defender Bill Rungay, Hammond was odds-on to score being one-on-one with Gillespie though the Manor stopper did well to deny him.

With minutes to go before the break, winger Mo Kargbo sent a drive wide of the woodwork for the hosts while Billy Coyne’s fizzing drive only just went over the bar on the stroke of the interval.

Half-Time: Southend Manor 0 – 1 Stansted

Both sides before KO Just before the second half gets underway

As the second-half began, the visitors had some early sighters on goal though they couldn’t find the target. As ever, Paul Pittuck and Marc Benterman’s team were committed in defence, before they doubled their advantage just past the hour as a good long pass found forward Carl Mullings who glided past the home defence, staying on-side and slotted past Gillespie.

In fairness, although Manor did carry a threat down the flanks with Fatt and Kargbo showing good pace and trickery, they didn’t really test Johnson in the second period and centre-back Ore Mosuro did make some crucial interceptions at the other end. The visitors should have killed the game off seven minutes from time though Ibe’s scuffed shot was deflected wide by a home defender after getting the better of Gillespie on the edge of the area. That said, Stansted did get a third four minutes later as skipper Billy Coyne’s free-kick decieved the Manor goalkeeper and found the left corner.

Full-Time: Southend Manor 0 – 3 Stansted

To conclude, Stansted deserved their victory though Manor should really have got on the score-sheet today. Congrats to the Airportmen on their win today & best wishes to Southend Manor for the rest of the season. My thanks also to Manor boss Adam Peek.

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Teams

Southend Manor | Manager: Adam Peek

Alex Gillespie (GK), Kiah Froud (Ellis Skidmore 79′), Bill Rungay (Charlie Burns 65′), Robbie Norris, Lewis Sparrow (Capt), Ore Mosuro, Rhys Fatt, Lee Delf, Nathan Dewberry, Charlie Barlow (Perry Hirst 65′), Mo Kargbo

Booked: Norris, Mosuro | Subs Not Used: Jude, Webb

Stansted | Joint-Managers: Paul Pittuck and Marc Benterman

Lamar Johnson (GK), Jamie Bennett, Billy Coyne (Capt), Sam West, Paul Clayton, Moses Carvalho, Callum Ibe, Jack Folan, Carl Mullings (Peter Maina 84′), Jack Smith (Oliver Bell 75′), Connor Hammond (Jordan Palmer 70′)

Goal-scorers: Paul Clayton [23′], Carl Mullings [61′], Billy Coyne [87′]

Booked: Mullings | Subs Not Used: Lloyd