Subs

• Twist for Glover
• Barnes for Matthews
• Evans for Abbott

Absenties

• Powell
• Abbey

Man of Match

Sonny Hay

It was nice to get back to football after what seemed an age since we beat Leafield. It was always going to be a tough game as Celts beat us convincingly earlier in the season and I was interested to see how we had progressed. The lads were in good spirit before the game and I had a good feeling that we’d play well.

The selection was a tough one but we are still trying to find some consistency in selection and several players have now been given a more than fair run in the team over the past four games. James was a little unlucky to miss out as he played well at Leafield, I just had a feeling that Carl would have a good day.

The game begun and we had a lot of defending to do in the 1^st 5 minutes. We eventually conceded which looked the likely outcome as we hadn’t settled at all and our defence couldn’t seem to work out who was marking who.

The goal seemed to liven us up and we controlled the next 10 minutes. Our pressure finally paid off when Graham fed a great ball through to Sonny who hammered it past the keeper.

Unfortunately for us they went straight up the other end and scored again. A cross from the left was half cleared and a deflected shot from the edge of the box beat Ryan.1-2.

To be fair our lads kept their heads up and continued to battle on. Rob was winning his fair share of ball and Sonny looked electric down the right. Paul was lively although our defence still looked shakier than usual.

Their 3^rd goal came just before half time and I didn't think they deserved it. The lad took a corner with the ball 3 yards outside the box it should be taken in. Again we only half cleared and the ball was hammered in.1-3

At half time we switched Scott and Henry. We wanted Scott to mark the pacey forward who had things his own was in the 1^st half. This seemed to make a difference and Scott did a superb job in the 2^nd half. Now I’ve just got to convince Rod that he’s a defender.

Our 2^nd half performance was very encouraging. We were going up hill but I felt we had most of the play. Rob was immense in the 2^nd half and Sonny was still pulling the strings. Graham and Paul were much more dangerous and the introduction of Lewis, James and Phil seemed to brighten things up.

Paul became the 1^st Ravens player to be booked, a little unfairly might I add. Graham smashed a shot against the crossbar and we generally looked more dangerous. Celts did break through once or twice but Ryan made 3 excellent saves to keep the score at 3.

They finally got the 4^th when we didn’t clear ANOTHER corner. Sonny deservedly won man of the match. I thought he was superb. Ryan had a super game and Rob and Scott both showed their ability.

Next week is the big one. The two games against Knowle Robins are going to be huge. We need everybody keyed up. That includes you Nick Twist, we haven’t forgotten your little lapse of concentration on the sidelines. Nice catch though mate.

Steve