Team: Ryan, Dean, Declan, Joshua, Lenie, Robert, Jonathan,
Subs: Jordan, Ashley
Score: 1-2
The Ravens welcomed the Rangers this week in the quarter final of the cup, a game which the Ravens had been looking forward to for some time. On a cold but sunny morning, both managers agreed to use the bigger pitch at Chapelfields due to the bad state of the standard size pitch which had become muddy due to overnight rain. Olton won the toss and decided to kick downfield with the wind behind them.
All the early pressure came from Hunt End, pressing forward at every opportunity. Rangers got the early lead needed after 5 minutes, directly from a corner. A superbly hit corner from Ryan Butler flew straight into the net giving the Ravens defence no chance. 1-0 to Hunt End.
Hunt End carried on giving the Ravens problems, especially in attack but their attackers were well marshalled by Declan and Dean. It was Dean that had to be carried off after 8 minutes, taking a heavy knock to the leg after a well timed tackle when thwarting a Rangers attack. Joshua moved back to defence as cover.
The visitors almost went 2-0 up minutes later from another well flighted corner, this time though thee ball was cleared off the line by Declan.
It wasn't until 14 minutes of the first half that Olton threatened the Hunt End goal. A corner on the right from Lenie found it's way to Jonathan but his shot was smothered by the Rangers keeper.
The Ravens midfield were made to work harder with the big lads of Hunt End pressing forward looking for another goal. Robert and Lenie had to work tirelessly in support of both the front men and defence, with Declan and Joshua made timely tackles in defence to keep Rangers at bay.
The Teams went in at half-time with the score 1-0 to Hunt End.
The Ravens came out for the second half knowing an early goal would settle the game down but it was Hunt End who, as they did in the first half, scored within minutes of the whistle. Good movement from the Visitors midfield caused panic in the Ravens defence and it had looked like the ball had been cleared, only for the ball to fall into the path of defender James Prescott, who, despite a good attempted block by Joshua, fired wide passed Ravens keeper Ryan and into the net.
The Ravens heads though did not drop and began to exert pressure on Hunt End Rangers. Robert, playing superbly in midfield, exchanged passes with Jonathan and Joshua as they looked for a way back into the game. Good running also by Jonathan and Joshua, who had moved back into midfield due to Dean's return to defence, nearly found a way through but the Rangers defence stood firm. Ashley and Jordan also made good runs on the Rangers goal but were thwarted by good defending.
After 10 minutes of the second half
though Olton got the goal they needed. From Lenie's throw in, the ball
landed at the feet of
The Ravens had got the bit between their teeth and a tactical change by Manager Mark saw Dean as the only defender as Ravens went chasing the game. The Ravens put a lot of pressure on Rangers but were always going to have problems with Rangers making a break, which they did on 2 occasions. One shot from The Hunt End forwards was only inches wide of the post and the other well dealt with by Ryan.
Lenie almost got the equaliser with seconds to go but his shot was well saved by the visitor's keeper who saved well.
The final whistle blew with Hunt End Rangers progressing into the next round winning 2-1 but although being the losing side, the Ravens played superbly. Both sides were a credit to youth football and also a credit to their Team and Parents for a good and sporting performance, enjoyed by the large crowd.
Hunt End go on to the Semi-Finals on April 29th with the best wishes of the Olton Ravens.
Man of the Match: Joshua and Robert