FOOTBALL PREVAILS

Sub

Abbott for Palmer

Possibly the most satisfying victory I can remember in 6 years in charge of Olton.

Our lads were a class above the opposition in footballing ability and in the way that they conduct themselves as young people.  We are fortunate to have the nicest bunch of lads around.  Unfortunately not everybody is the same and you have to wonder what type of lives those Lakeside players must lead off the field.

The Lakeside team badly need some guidance and after speaking with there manager after the game I can understand why they are the way they are.  He claimed to have “not seen anything wrong” with his players display.  I told him a few home truths and left satisfied that I am a small part of what is the fantastic Olton Ravens Under 13s unit.

Enough of that, on to our great players performances.  We started the game well and were on top from the word go.  Our midfield had disappointed against Halesowen but they looked much more on their games today.  Graham in particular was everywhere and winning more than his fair share of tackles.  Ryan and Matt offered good width and we were beginning the find Mike H and Dylan in good positions.

Our forwards did a great job today and ran the Lakeside defence ragged at times.  The pace and link up between the 2 was outstanding.  We have been crying out for a partnership up front for years and today we saw signs that maybe we have found an answer.

We went a goal behind against the run of play when a long ball over the top caught us out.  By this time we had already missed 2 good chances.  Ryan firing the best of them against the crossbar.

We got the deserved equaliser quickly when Matt scored a good strike from outside the box. 

We continued to look the better side and our level of football was improving all the time when we went in front.  Dylan chased a through ball and the keeper made an error which allowed Dylan to tap it in.2-1

Once again we shot ourselves in the foot by conceding a weak corner.    Poor marking allowed Lakeside to score.2-2.

The 2nd half saw our lads come through with sheer guts and determination.  Lakeside clearly were trying to turn the match into a war as they could not cope with us on a footballing level.   Graham and Mark were winning the midfield battle and it was Graham who fed Ryan with a great pass.  Ryan burst into the area and cut it back for Mike Halloran to make it 3-2.

Shortly after Mike shook off the defender and his shot was handled outside his box by the Lakeside keeper.  The keeper was rightly sent off and Mark added more misery when he struck the free kick into the top corner.4-2.

By this stage Lakeside had stopped competing as a football team and were just looking for a brawl.  Our lads kept their cool and continued to play the football.  The 5th goal was well deserved as the outstanding Mike Halloran got a well deserved 2nd goal.

I cannot praise the players enough today.  In tough conditions they had to put up with a lot as we had a referee who was too easily intimidated.

To get through the game without stooping the their level was one thing but to come away with 3 points and a classy performance speaks volumes.

Well done boys.

Steve