Southchurch Park Arena’s biggest crowd of the season watched a thoroughly entertaining game as Manor and Rovers renewed Essex Senior League rivalries after a twelve-year absence.
However, the fireworks seemed a million miles away during the early stages, with the game littered with poor passing and niggling fouls as the teams looked to find their feet. Chances were at a premium, Rovers new recruit Toran Senghore saw his cross elude an entourage of teammates, while Manor skipper Jay Smith fired wide of an upright as Manor hit back.
Gradually the games settled. Rovers began to look more like the side that started the season amid a clutch of goals. After eighteen minutes, it was they who broke the deadlock when big John Mbamarah swept the ball beyond Adam Seal after the Manor keeper had saved Dave Collins initial effort.
The goal should have been the catalyst the visitors needed to push on, however, it only served to spur the homsters who roared back to level the score within seven minutes. Great Wakering goalkeeper Louis Godwin-Green was left exposed as Terry Griffiths thundered a header high into the net.
Minutes later Gary Paterson raced clear and rounded Godwin-Green, but his inviting ball across the goal was scrambled clear by the Rovers rearguard.
As the first half ended, the visitors looked to regain momentum. After forty-two minutes, their efforts paid off when Adam Seal saved Jimmy Webb’s shot only for an alert Dave Collins to pounce and fire the Rovers back in front.
Great Wakering started the second period brightly, moving the ball around well without really threatening the manor goal. However, the home side hit back and after sixty-one minutes they were rewarded thanks to a crowd favourite.
Making only his third appearance since the turn of the year, last season’s FA Cup hero Gary Paterson carried the ball forward before dispatching a low shot past Godwin-Green to level the score. Manor have struggled at the start of the current campaign, Paterson’s goal proved just how vital he is to the Southchurch Park club.
The game was now simmering nicely. Manor sensed the chance to forge ahead while Rovers defended doggedly. Paterson went desperately close to another goal when his curling shot drew a wonderful fingertip save from Godwin-Green. He then saw an attempted lob cleared just in time by Nathan Fletcher.
Paterson and Godwin-Green continued their personal duel when the keeper did well to deal with en explosive strike from just outside the penalty area.
Southend Manor smelt blood. Terry Griffiths twice saw headed attempts flash agonisingly wide, but as the game entered its final seconds, Rovers missed the opportunity for a “smash ‘n’ grab” winner as Dave Collins free kick was headed just over by Nathan Fletcher.
The 119 crowd showed their appreciation at the final whistle. Manor will undoubtedly be disappointed not to have picked up all three points. Nevertheless, Rovers will see this as a point gained as they look to get their promotion charge back on track.

Southend Manor; Adam Seal, Seb Brimsted, Steve Sharpe, Terry Griffiths, Bradley Vaughan, Jamie Salmon, Ben Braddeley, Gary Paterson, Jay Smith, Bradley Williams.

Subs; Wilf Msiska, Frank Hession-Harris, Tom Hession-Harris, Liam Jarrett, David Tubbs.

Great Wakering Rovers; Louis Godwin-Green, Scott Keys, Max Kent, John Mbamarah, Lewis Sparrow, Nathan Fletcher, Jimmy Webb, Dan Trenkel, Toran Senghore, Jay Nash, Dave Collins.

Subs; Jake Gibson, Stuart Hepburn, Luca Frankis, Ellis Skidmore, James Pugsley, James Haylock.

Jeeves's Rovers Man of the Match; Dave Collins