Subs

• Powell for Stanley
• Twist for Glover
• Evans for Barnes

Not available

• Matthews
• Abbey

Boy I am going to enjoy this. It’s the morning after and I’m still on cloud 9. O.k. we beat bottom of the league 3-2 and maybe that doesn’t seem like a heck of an achievement. But it’s the nature of the comeback that has got me on a high, and also the way that all the parents and supporters on the sidelines got so involved toward the end, it was great. Just like the old days.

After seeing the sites of Shirley I finally found the ground. I gave Nick Twist and family a tour of the local area as he made the mistake of following me. On arrival I went over to the lads as usual and immediately got a bad feeling, as nobody seemed to realise what a big game this could turn out to be. The attitude seemed too relaxed and I wondered if our players realised what they were playing for.

On making my way over to the parents I found this to be the complete reverse. I sensed a lot of tension, as if they all knew that a defeat here would probably signal our departure from this division.

The team was almost the same as it has been in the last few games with a 4-4-2 system. We decided to do away with the sweeper system so Henry joined Mikey, Deano and Dan in the backline. Carl had dropped out at the last minute but we still had a strong 14 available.

The kick off. A lacklustre start from us, it looked just like the past few weeks. Although we didn’t start well we managed to keep Leafield at bay and survived a nervous 1^st 10 minutes. Ryan was called into action a couple of times and dealt with the problems with ease. I thought with the exception of Mikey the defence looked very nervous, nobody would settle on the ball and every time the ball went into our box there was panic. On that note I thought Michael had a super game, possibly the best I’ve seen him play. He plays with a great composure, very similar to Dean and it’s great for me because when I’m nervous I tend to look at them and I start to feel a whole lot better about things.

As expected we eventually conceded a goal. The same old story. A pacey forward, a through ball, 1-0. I was beginning to get quite annoyed with our midfield. They defend so deep at times when they don’t have to. Ryan was kicking the ball out and our four midfielders were standing next to our defenders. So every kick out came straight back at us.

We settled slightly and played a little bit of football but nothing special. Toward the end of the half something happened that I’ve not seen in kids football, and looking back I find it quite funny. Paul went through and scored his 1^st goal for Olton Ravens. The goal though wasn’t greeted by a cheer from players and supporters, but more of a sigh of relief. None louder than that of Roger Cardell’s.

Half time 1-1. Whilst standing on the side something was said that really made me think hard about the team. Our sponsors came to the game yesterday for the 1^st time since our battling draw at Highgate. I heard him say to somebody "what’s happened, where has all the heart and spirit gone". He had seen a different team in the 1^st half to what he had seen at the beginning of the season.

It was those comments that were put across to the lads at half time. We were demanding a response. One change was made. CJ on for Scott. CJ went into the defence and Henners pushed into midfield.

Both teams seemed more pumped up this half. It was a basement battle and nobody wanted to lose this one. Within minutes we were 2-1 down and I did fear the worst as for the next 10 mins we still didn’t create much.

Dean had taken a knock so I took the chance to make a slight change to the way we were playing. CJ pushed into midfield and Lewis came on for Dan. We were going to play 3-5-2. Lewis is ideally suited to play in this system and does it very well for me each Saturday.

Then, it happened. Our sleeping giants woke up and remembered what we are all about. We turned it on and for the next 15 mins it was one-way traffic. We played really well. Henners and Rob really started to put themselves about. Sonny was lively and had chances to score. James and Phil when he came on were involved in the game and we had pinned them in. Graham Hill, who hadn’t shown his true class of late started to run the show and Leafield didn’t know what had hit them, they were holding on.

Finally our pressure told. Graham dropped deep, ran at two players and put a great ball through to Paul who made no mistake. 2-2.

We continued the pressure and Sonny and Graham had more chances. It seemed as though it wouldn’t go in and it would be another one of those days. The referee didn’t have a clue and wasn’t exactly helping. Phil was fouled and Robert was several times yet we got nothing. Our supporters were brilliant, it was so loud and everybody sensed we could do it. Nick Twist was going mad and Xena was really making me laugh. Then she asked me the question "Steve, does a draw keep us up" "No, I replied, it’s not much help"

I started to worry but not for long as with 3 mins to go, the now unstoppable Graham Hill surged into the area and shot. The keeper saved well but only parried into the path of substitute Phil Evans. GOAL!!!! 3-2. And everybody went MAD. Nick Twist and Roger were on the pitch; I nearly snapped knee ligaments again. The players were mauling Phil. It was great.

The whistle went and the lads were beaming again. I love to see them like that. It’s been a long time coming. The 14^th December in fact. Although it wasn’t pretty we rolled our sleeves up and took the points. 

With tough games to come we need more of it. I hope the lads remember that feeling. I certainly want more of it.

Steve