ROBBO "CAPTAIN MARVEL"

Subs

• Askey for Powell
• Twist for Abbey
• Cardall for Barber

Absent

• Sonny - injured
• James – Holiday

Well well well, it would appear we might just be beginning to tick again. I never had any doubts (much). I have really enjoyed the last 5 matches. I have taken some positives from every game and I have been waiting to see us put them all together on the same day. Well, I don’t think we quite did that but we certainly had good shape, better movement, better quality on the ball and a cutting edge.

I’d been really looking forward to this game all week. I knew 3 points here would go along way to ensuring we would be in Division 1 next season. The preparation had been slightly affected by the news that Michael may have to turn up late due to school commitments. Niall was on standby to replace him. Then at 11am I had a phone call from Andre to tell me sonny would be unavailable as his head had had a slight disagreement with a goalpost the evening before. Sonny and Michael have been two of our form players in recent games so I had wondered how much we would miss them. Phil started on the right and Dan was back on the right side of defence.

I felt the only thing that could beat us today was ourselves. We had won a tight game at Leafied a few weeks ago and won 3-2, but that day we were very low on confidence and we had very little self belief. Today was different and I knew they would see the real Olton Ravens.

The wind was strong and at our backs in the 1st half and it was important we took full advantage. We started reasonable well and Graham had hit the post within minutes of the kick off. Somehow we went one nil down when we failed to clear and the striker looped it over Ryan. I didn’t exactly panic but it was certainly a shock to the system.

From that point it was kind of like a dream really. I will tell you the bits I remember and I’ll do my best to give everyone credit where its due. Carlos hit the post in a goalmouth scramble. Rob scored from half way line (ala Beckham). Carl followed in a shot and their keeper fumbled it, Carl was on hand to tap it home. Graham got back to his scoring ways not once, not twice but 3 times. I remember his 3rd goal being a great strike from the edge of the area. Paul Barber took his tally to 9 goals in 5 games with his 2nd hat trick for us. I also remember Paul’s 3rd goal being a bit special from Ryan’s long kick. In between all this Rob had scored his 5th goal of the season and at half time we were sitting pretty 9-1 up.

The half time talk was just about trying to keep the lads feet on the ground. Everybody wanted to go upfront or into midfield but we were not going to change anything for now.

With the wind in our faces we expected the 2nd half to be a little harder. To be fair to us we played well and were always in control of the game. More chances came. Graham and Paul could have had more. Phil was twice in on goal. Carl missed a chance. It really could have been 15 or more.

And then it happened, and it’s been along time coming but I was delighted for him. HENRY ABBOTT scored. Before the game Henner’s had bragged about his two goals for the district the day before. I said I was unimpressed and I needed to see it to believe it. So not only did Henry show me he could score, but he even showed me he could get a double. Well done Henner’s, you deserve it.

All of the substitutes got on and impressed yet again. Lewis, Deano and Mikey all looked good. The big lead we had allowed us to experiment slightly and I enjoyed watching Mike play centre midfield. He tackled well and some of his vision and passing was encouraging and it is something I will put in my memory bank for the future.

So, well done lads. The man of the match award went to Robert who just pipped Graham to the shield. Rob was truly at his very best and bossed the midfield battle. Everybody did exceptionally well. Ryan again made a few great saves and Dan looked good at right back. Phil worked his socks off and Scott was again solid.

If we can keep progressing I don’t see any reason why we cant have a strong finish to the season. Castlehurst and Knowle are the next two games and I think both are very winnable if we play to our current standards. I hope the goals we scored today were some reward for the hard work you lads have put in these past 5 weeks.

Steve