RAVENS FLY AGAIN

Subs 

• Hill for Powell

• Askey for Halloran

Not used:

• P.Barber

A very good game and an extremely good performance.  The referee and the Knowle manager thought we were the better team and unlucky not to take all 3 points.  The league secretary Nick and the referee also commented on how rare 0-0 results are in kids football.  The way we defended as a team was 1st rate.  It wasn’t as if we packed men behind the ball.  We were dangerous in attack and created the best chances.  It was really encouraging to see Dylan and Mark getting forward to support the forwards.

We had all 14 players to select from with after Grahams speedy recovery from a fractured toe.  I watched Graham play in a match on Saturday and the goal scoring touch and the hunger was back, so I was happy to select him as a substitute.

The game started well for us and Henry and Mark were quickly into their stride in the midfield.  We passed the ball well and looked dangerous in attack. Alex and Mike Halloran looked sharp and we were beginning to create openings.

The 1st came from a dangerous James free kick that bounced dangerously in the box and only evaded our players by inches.  Mike Halloran then forced the impressive Knowle keeper to tip a shot over the bar after a neat link up with Alex.

In defence we were sound with Scott and Mikey cutting out most attacks with strong and crucial tackles.  Mikey tackled harder today than I have ever seen him before and that can only be a good thing if he continues it in the future.  Jim and Matt B had the wings under control and Ryan was quickly off his live to any ball over the top.  The heading in the back four was as good as I’ve seen it.

The 2nd half was much the same although I felt Knowle shaded it.  We created the best chances but they were looking more and more dangerous as the game went on.  I think our lads had ran themselves into the ground and after a few weeks off we definitely looked tired toward the end.  Knowle did miss a golden chance to win it at the death but that would have been very harsh on us indeed.

Our three best chances in the 2nd half fell twice to Mike Halloran who raced onto through balls from Alex and Dylan only to see one shot saved and the other drift wide.  Dylan also raced through only to see his angled shot go just wide of the post.

Nil nil, and all in all a very good performance to go with the last two against Halesowen and Sutton.  The team is defiantly clicking into place, as I knew it would.  The new players are settled into the Olton way and the squad is strong.  Once the goals start going in we will be a force to be reckoned with.  I am not concerned at the moment as we are creating good chances and out playing the top teams in the division.

Mikey was awarded man of the match just ahead of everybody else.  There was no weak link today.  It was good to see Henners back to his best in the 1st half and CJ yet again went into a new position and did well.  Alex offered a lot of encouragement upfront and Jim settled back into left back after his time away.

Well-done lads.  Very impressive.  Callowbrook is next and a great opportunity to turn our performances into goals and points.

See you Tuesday

Steve