MATCH REPORT: ENFIELD 0-1 SOUTHEND MANOR

On what was a disappointing night of football, Enfield fell to a surprise 1-0 defeat at the hands of Southend Manor. A first half own goal from ‘keeper James Bransgrove proved the difference on a night where it just didn’t go the way of the home side.

The first effort on goal came in the fifth minute for the away side as Felix Ahorlu’s first time strike deflected wide of the target. Meanwhile, up the other end, Enfield came close to breaking the deadlock a few minutes later. Alex Warman’s corner fell to Jack Grosvenor, but the E’s centre half headed over.

Shortly after, Dwade James had a chance to put the E’s in front but his effort was well kept out by Manor’s Oliver Johnson. As the game reached the midway point, neither side had been able to test both goalkeeper as such though Manor had looked the better of the two early on.

With 26 minutes gone, the away side came close to scoring with Michael Bareck’s effort forcing a save out of James Bransgrove. Eight minutes later, Manor continued to threaten as Josh Devlin had a go from distance, but Bransgrove again made the save.

Southend Manor had looked the much better side in the first half and once again had an opportunity to score with Andre Embalo’s effort going wide of the target before the Manor forward shot inches wide a few minutes later.

Two minutes before the break though and the away side at last took a deserved lead. The shot from Ohorlu cannoned back of the post before rebounding off the head of Bransgrove and in. An unfortunate moment for the Enfield goalkeeper but the breakthrough that the visitors were looking for.

Manor had a chance to double their lead six minutes into the second half, but Shamar Lawson’s effort was palmed away by the goalkeeper. Meanwhile, for Enfield, the hosts went in search of an equaliser as Samrai Gebrai crossed into the middle, but Johnson was there to collect.

Enfield soon had another opportunity to get level as James was played through on goal, but his attempt was weak and comfortable for the goalkeeper. As the match headed into the latter stages, the home side continued to push for a goal with Reece Conway’s looping header going just over.

With the home side looking the more dominant in the second half, Manor came close to scoring as Bransgrove denied Lawson from inside the penalty area. In the 84th minute, the E’s again came close after Olly Miles headed into the path of James, who struck his effort over the bar.

The home side soon had a big opportunity to get level on 87 minutes after Jack Grosvenor played the ball upfield to James, who headed into Jamie Cureton’s path. Cureton managed to round the goalkeeper before his attempt crashed back of the crossbar from a tight angle.

In the end, Southend Manor did enough to defend their lead as they came away with an important three points. However, from an Enfield perspective, it was no doubt a damaging and disappointing defeat to take as it ended 1-0 to the away side.