WORN OUT BUT WORTH IT

Subs

• Bissell for Halloran

• Hay for Foster

• Halloran for Stokes

A tough game and a well deserved point saw the Ravens once again more than compete with a Oakland ’s team full of potential.  Oakland ’s will be there and they’re about at the end of the season and we are currently showing why we will be too.

We have only lost 1 in the last 5 since our embarrassing opening day defeat and since then our performances have seemed to improve week on week. 

Selection for this week was always going to be hard work with all of the lads performing well in recent times.  Injuries again played a part with Rob going down in his school match on Thursday.  Scott and Mark were already out so there would be a few people moving around.  Rob woke up feeling better and that was a great boost.  Henry came in for Rob and Sonny made way for Ryan in the only changes.

We were fairly slow to start with and we didn’t seem to have the same desire and self belief as in recent weeks.  We had a lot of defending to do but again we did it well.  Peter was the star of the early exchanges, tracking the talented forward and keeping him quiet.

The Oaklands system allows them to leave a man all the way out on the right flank.  This caused us problems until we sorted out how to combat it.  Dayle, to his credit ran his socks off in support of Jacko.

We went a goal behind but from then on we seemed to get a foothold in the game.  Dayle’s pace was causing problems and Dylan was everywhere, pressuring defenders and chasing lost causes.

We were losing the midfield battle so we introduced Robbo and this seemed to get us going again.  Henry, understandably took a little time to get going but he and Rob were soon into their stride.

Dylan had already worked there keeper before Dayle's cross was brilliantly controlled and coolly finished by Dyl.  A well deserved goal.  1-1.

We were the better side until the half time whistle blew.  We had played fairly averagely but battled to stay in the game.  I think in previous seasons we would have been out of the game by the break but the back 4 and Stevo kept us going.

The 2nd half was much closer and we definitely had more of the chances to win it.  Dylan continued to cause chaos up front and Sonny was doing his bit on the right.  We had gone to a man-to-man system at the back with Graham marking the dangerous striker.  Matt, Pete and Mike more than did their bit to keep them quiet.

Our main threat always looked like coming up the left wing with Dayle linking up with the forwards.  Halloran had now got going and was also causing problems and he looked like he may get the crucial goal.  It was Mike who was bought down which allowed Henry to crash a free kick into the roof of the net.  2-1.

From here on in it was end to end.  Steve made good saves and our boys were throwing last-ditch tackles in.  The tiring midfield kept going and we were a little unlucky to concede what has to be said was a very good equaliser.

The game petered out and we again could have scored had it not been for a very twitchy linesman who seems to enjoy flagging no matter what is actually happening in front of him.

Credit to our lads where its due.  It was by no means our best display in the 1st half but we hung in there and in the 2nd half I thought we played great.  We won’t have many games that tough from here on in and we need to carry on what is becoming a very impressive run on form and results.

Steve