IT GETS BETTER !

Subs

• M.Doyle for M.Barber
• Evans for Hill

Every week I find myself thinking “was that our best performance yet”?  It must have been fairly close.  Headless won our division last year but lost a few players to bigger clubs and opted to stay with us in Division 1.  Let’s take nothing away from our win though.  They are still a good team who I expect to give most a run for their money this season.  They still have the bulk of the players who beat us convincingly both times last season.

We have now won three on the trot and the game before that was the Moor Green draw that we should have won too.  In all competitions we have lost only once in the last 7 games.

A confidence seems to be oozing through the team at the moment.  A fantastic team spirit and great self belief.  This has been lacking for 12 months and long may it continue.

The only change made from the Coldlands win was the introduction of CJ into the midfield.  I remember from last season that the Headless games were a fairly physical affair and CJ thrives in this environment.  In hind sight the decision was correct as I thought CJ had his best match ever as a Raven.

The game started well for us and we were the better team before Graham smashed the ball home after Mark’s devastating corner.  Graham was again through after good work from Paul, this time only to fire wide.

Headless came back into the game and were unlucky not to score in a dangerous 15 minute period.  The left wingers pace was causing Deano a few problems.  They got a goal just before half time after Ryan’s kick unluckily went straight to an oncoming midfielder.

Half time was 1-1 and I was pleased to get the lads in for a talk as we seemed to be losing control. 

We made a tactical change in asking Henners to go right back to deal with the tricky left winger.  Henners is a little bit quicker than Deano and I knew he would give the lad a run for his money.  Deano had played in midfield before so I had no doubts that he could do the defensive job that Henners has done so well this season.

Everything seemed to click into place in the 2nd half.  It was much like the Coldlands game where Headless had a lot of the ball but our impressive partnership of Mark and Michael were casually dealing with any danger.

Deano and CJ were winning most of the ball in midfield and Alex was roaming just behind the front two.  Paul Barber was our most dangerous player throughout this game. It was possibly Paul's best game for us as well, although he played great at Knowle Robins.  The difference here was that he was getting into more goal scoring positions.  Two powerful runs and cool finishes saw him net his 2nd and 3rd goals of the season.  In between Henry smashed home another great corner from Mark. 

We could have easily scored more with Graham having two more golden opportunities that were well saved.  Matt Doyle came on for the last 12 mins and gave an encouraging account of himself down the left.

I can only say well done lads and may this run continue.  Our next two games are at home and very very winnable.  If we can take 6 points we will be hovering around the top three.  After that, who knows.???

Steve