BRAVEHEARTS

Subs

• Twist 
• Abbey
• Evans

Absenties

• Glover
• Barnes

This is the 2^nd winning report in 3 weeks. We’d better be careful, a few more win’s and Europe beckons. It’s a great feeling though and winning is the best habit to have.

Before the Leafield game a few weeks back I set the lads a target of 12 points from the remaining games. The easiest way to achieve was to beat Leafield home and away, and to do the same with Knowle Robins. Well, so far so good. We are 6 points out of 6 and the lads have done brilliantly.

I turned up at Scott’s house at about 12.15 to pick him up for the game. After he’d said goodbye to his girlfriend (who is 16 by the way) GOOD ON YA! He got in the back as usual. I looked in my mirror to see a determined look on his face. The eye of the tiger. This was a good sign as I often accuse our lads of not being up for the game.

On arrival I saw Henry, sporting a new hair cut and as lively as ever. Next the Olton team bus arrived (Colin's van) and the other 437 players got out. We were ready.

Our warm up as usual consisted of Sonny’s jokes, CJ’s threats and Henry’s voice above all others. Deano had a broad smile on his face every time I caught his eye. No doubt happy that he had given my team another good hammering the day before.

At the team talk the lads seemed very focused. They knew what was at stake and there was a determination that I hadn’t sensed for a while. I knew this would be a good day.

The lads did their now customary huddle and we were all set to go. Our fans had turned out in force and the lads were keen to give them something to cheer about.

The game began and with the wind at our backs we needed to get ourselves a cushion in the 1^st half. After a scrappy 10 mins we took control and created several chances. Carlos was electrifying on the left and had two good chances to score. Paul also missed a chance and Rob had a pot shot from distance. Michael and Scott were mopping things up and we looked in control but we needed a goal.

After good work from Graham and Carl we finally got 1. Paul slotted past the keeper and we had a deserved lead. Not long after it was 2-0. More good work from our midfield and Paul again smashed it into the net.

We continued to dominate but wasted more chances, although their keeper did make some good saves.

On the stroke our half time we failed to deal with a corner and the ball somehow ended up in the net 2-1.  I was a bit worried at this point as the wind and slope advantage would be with Knowle in the 2^nd half.

As I looked at the faces at half time the lads seemed to appreciate that we were only half way there. CJ, Mike, Scott and Dean knew things would get tougher in the 2^nd half.

As expected Knowle started brightly after the break and sure enough equalised when Dean and Scott went for the same ball and it broke for their forward to score.2-2.

At this point I think most peoples money would have been on Knowle. The encouraging thing was that even though they had scored we still looked lively and that we had more goals in us. We continued to create and miss chances. Graham, now known as Bugsy to his friends had come to life and had a good left foot shot saved. Sonny had started to run the show up the right and he had chances to score. Henry and Rob were dominating the midfield battle and all of a sudden we were playing some of our best stuff.

There was only one winner from here. Paul finally put us back in front even though the dodgy linesman did his best to cancel it out. From here on in it was like the Alamo. It was just a matter of how many. Knowle’s forwards had given up on breaching of back line again and Ryan was more than competent when they did.

Another goal from Paul and the 5^th from Sonny sealed things for us. Everyone was delighted for Sonny who was sensational in the 2^nd half. He really deserved his goal.

And I think he wins celebration of the season hands down.

So 5-2 in he end and very convincing indeed. The 2^nd half we were a class above Knowle and we showed why we should never be anywhere near these sides in the bottom half of the league.

Anybody could have got man o the match but we went for Paul’s 4 goals in the end. Scott was superb and Sonny and Carl were close too. Rob, Michael and Henry were great. CJ, Graham, Ryan and Dean all contributed to a great win.

Next week is Headless Cross who are top of the league. If we can continue where we left off here we may just surprise them.

Well done lads, I’m very proud of you all.