A STEP CLOSER

Subs

• Hill for Halloran

• Stokes for Cardall

• Stanley

• Hay

Yet another crunch game in an action packed season saw the Ravens play the Knowle Robins in a match that could have seen Knowle promoted if they had won.  Defeat for us would have meant that we could not go up this season so it was a tense affair for all.

After some fairly dire training performances I had been concerned about this game and whether we were ready and up for it.  I had a heart to heart with the players after training on Thursday and we laid a few things out on the table so that we all knew where we were at and more importantly where we were looking to go.

Once again I have to commend the players response to this as they bounced back in typical gutsy fashion.  Selection would always be tough with 4 subs available and a fully fit squad for the first time all season.  I decided to show faith in the back four that has done it so well all season and Pete would move to right midfield in a 4-4-2.

Both teams were clearly up for this one with so much at stake.  The pre-match screaming from both teams was like a scene from Braveheart.    The game finally got under way and we were quickly into our stride.  We were first to the tackle in midfield and Mike Halloran was offering some early hope.  His early shot whistled wide and minutes later Rob should have scored when Mark’s perfect corner was powerfully headed over the bar. 

Knowle began to compete better and it was competitive in midfield but our back four never really looked to be in any danger.  Matt Barber twice snuffed out trouble up our left hand side.

The midfield battle was intense and Robbo and Henner’s seemed to have the edge in the intense heat.  Pete and Dayle more than contributed in attack and defence.  Dylan had burst into the game and was causing all sorts of problems for the big centre back and the Ravens just lacked the goal that our play had deserved. 

Another Mark corner was met perfectly by Henner’s and his thumping header was cleared off the line.  Shortly after we made the breakthrough.  Mark’s free kick went over the back and Henner’s delivered the perfect ball back into the box for DYLAN to volley us in front. 1-0.

The half time break gave our lads the chance to have a breather and the important message to get across to the layers was that football is a 70 minute game.  We were 1-0 up at Knowle a few weeks back in a similar game and we stopped playing in the 2nd half and almost lost it.

The lads went out fired up and turned in an even better 2nd half when you look at how many chances we created.

Knowle still couldn’t break us down and had to resort to long balls over the top which Stevo came out quickly to deal with.

At the other end we were looking much sharper.  Dylan was proving to be a real handful and probably should have had a hat trick.  After pressuring the defence he broke through with only the keeper to beat.  The cross-shot went agonisingly wide and Dayle was only inches away from it at the back post.

Rob was next to force his way through.  Dylan again took the shot on but again it went wide.  Rob then tested the keeper from distance and Dylan again latched on to Graham’s header only to fire a shot way over the bar.  In fairness to Dylan, although he hasn’t got the goals we would have liked in recent games he does create most of his chances for himself and his all round play and hard work has been excellent.  The goals will come I’m sure.

With around 10 minutes to go a Knowle parent commented to me that we should be 4-0 up.  This was true and this has been our problem this season.  Not killing games off.  I was getting nervous at this stage as one slip up could cost us the points.  To be fair our lads battled it out to the very end and an excellent defensive display had meant that Knowle only really had one long distance shot on target throughout the game.

We have only conceded 19 goals this season which is the best in the division.  When you consider we let 7 of those in in the first 3 games we have since only conceded 12 in 11 games.  An outstanding effort from the whole team.  Particularly the defence and Stevo.

The final whistle went and Knowle offered no arguments or excuses.  They just congratulated us and wished us well.  This makes a nice change from some of the other sides we have come up against,

A big mention to our solid back four and let’s not forget the midfield four who ran all day in excessive heat and everybody else who contributed to a good performance which leaves us only one win away from guaranteed promotion.

Steve