THAT'S FOR THE SUPPORTERS

 Subs

• Lots and Lots

Another nerve jangling day for Olton players, management and particularly fans, saw the Ravens playing in their 1st ever semi final against an Ulverley side who can boast 5 trophies in the last 3 seasons.  Ulverley have won the league and both cups in recent times, so we were always going to be in for yet another tough fight with Premiership opposition.  The Ravens have gained confidence for the scalps of Phoenix and Shenley this season and our boys fought their hearts out to take the Ravens to another fantastic victory, and to a place in a Cup Final.

Selection as usual was almost impossible to make with so many good performances last week.  Sonny, Henry and Halloran returned to the side.  The team talk mainly put emphasis on winning battles in the middle of the park and making sure we were still in the game at half time.  As expected Ulverley started brightly and I thought they shaded a close 1st half.  Ulverley had good possession and tallied up an amount of corners.  The Ravens defended extremely well and Stevo was also on hand when needed.

We did have our moments in the 1st half.  Dylan looked lively against the full back and Sonny was always a threat.  It was Sonny who created our best moment of the half when his snap shot from distance brought a top class save from the Hawks keeper.

Stevo made a good save before the break when the Hawks put a good move together from a throw in on the left hand side.  Half time 0-0.

The game progressed well for us and the 2nd half saw the Ravens taking more control.  We had a lot more of the game than the Hawks and Stevo had long spells without a touch of the ball.  Both defences were on top but we seemed to edge the midfield battle.  Robbo was our 1st player to put his foot on the ball and pass it.  This then spread around the team and we began to link up a lot better.   The 1st half was played at far too high a pace for our liking.  Peter’s intro’ to the midfield made an immediate impact and our best move of the game saw 5 or 6 passes take us into the Ulverley area.  Halloran was unable to provide the final pass.

It was now the Ravens turn to tally up the corners.  Rob fired over the bar and Sonny headed wide.

The dangerous Hawks forward was becoming more frustrated as Matt and Mark continually denied him the space he desired.  Ulverley were always a threat and at times they played some very nice stuff to turn defence in to attack.

Extra time arrived (again) and with both defences standing firm penalties looked likely.  Ulverley started extra time on top and the lad’s legs looked tired after last week’s gruelling game against Shenley.  We introduced more subs to freshen things up and this seemed to turn the tables again.  The 2nd half of extra was all the Ravens.  We pinned the Hawks back and Sonny twice almost won it for us.  Their keeper again the saviour.  Several more corners came and went and penalties were imminent when Ulverley almost broke through at the death.  A combination of Jack and brave keeping from Steve kept us level.

Penalties it was. 

• Mark scored                Ulverley scored

• Matt scored                  Steve saved

• Henner's scored            Ulverley scored

• Sonny (post)                 Ulverley scored

• Gray scored                 Steve saved

The Ravens amazing run of shootout wins over the past few years continued.  A great game played in a good spirit came to an end.  A game dominated by both defences (our back 4 were phenomenal).  I don’t think anybody at the game would begrudge us this win.  The officials all thought that we deserved to progress.  We edged a tight game in the end but considering we are in a lower division I think we deserved it.

Well done to everybody today.  All of the players who have stuck with us through thick and thin deserve this final.  We will have a good go at Cadbury and with this type of determination and commitment, who knows?

So many players deserve a mention but I will narrow it down to Man of the Match Peter, who epitomises everything that is the Olton Ravens and Sonny, who has sat many games out recently but today went in gave it his all.

Steve