Subs

• Stokes

• Hickman

Well, where do I start? Quality goals, team spirit from both sides, questionable defending, stunning saves, dodgy penalty decisions at both ends, pass backs, yellow cards and argy bargy on the sidelines. This one really did have it all.

Yet another close scoreline with the robins as has been the way over the past few seasons. We have generally just about got the better of them in the past and today for long periods it looked as though that would be the way again. This time, circumstances and incident and would play a cruel part in seeing us drop 2 points.

Let me try and break it down for you. I think the Knowle Manager Paul and I put a curse on the game by both telling the referee at the start that he would have an easy day ahead of him, due to the excellent relations between the two sides. I have to say that the incidents during the game were through no fault of Knowles and they, as always, conducted themselves well.

The game started with both sides giving their all. A tight battle ensued and we had the 1st opportunity when Dylan crossed for Rob to volley over the bar. Knowle came at us and the game was end to end with little in the way of clear cut chances. Several throw ins on our left resulted in the 1st goal. Gray and Dayle appeared to go for the same ball. A cross found it’s way into the box and the lad at the back post scored. Stevo and Jacko them somehow managed to prevent it becoming 2-0 with a great save and scramble to keep us in it.

The game continued in the same vein for most of the half. Rob fired over the bar and Mark's corner was headed wide by James. Dyl was busy upfront and I felt we just needed a goal to raise the belief. When it came, it came with a bang. As good a goal as you will see all season. Steve's short goal kick found Jacko. His neat pass found Rob who in turn, found Halloran. Mike held it up well and then released Rob up the right wing. Rob surged into the box and cut the ball back for Dyl to arrive on the scene and level the scores from close range.

Half time 1-1

Confidence was sky high and the boys couldn’t wait to get back out there. We had hardly played a few minutes of the 2nd half when Halloran pressured the defender into a mistake. He hustled his way past 2 tackles and lifted the ball over the keeper with his left foot. Another great goal.

More chances came and 2 became 3 as we took charge of the midfield. Stevo's big punt evaded everybody. Mike latched onto it and dinked it over the keeper for 3-1.

We were in complete control and 3 should have become 5 or 6. Mike went through again and hit the post. Then again and shot wide. Dyl was through next but his heavy touch let the defender in.

Then came the major turning point. A few niggly tackles led to a flare up and an argument with the ref. From here on in there were numerous, shall we say, tight decisions, awarded against us. The clear back pass that was picked up by their keeper had already happened. Dyl was then scythed down in the box but no penalty. Several other incidents appeared to go un noticed.

To Knowles credit they as usual battled all the way though and never stopped. The forward found his way into our box and seemed to lose control of the ball. As he stretched for it he stumbled over. To everybody’s amazement the ref was pointing to the spot. The penalty was brilliantly saved by Steve but the rebound went in. 3-2.

The game was now going down to the wire. We had more chances to kill it off and Knowle were pressing forward. The ref then announced there would be 9 (nine) minutes added on. It became obvious at this point to most that it was unlikely that we would be leaving with 3 points. Knowle continued to press us and a number of corners and free kicks resulted in the equaliser. 3-3.

We did have another chance to win it late on when Dyl shot at the keeper who palmed it wide. Grahams free kick then drifted just over.

The final whistle and a fantastic game to watch if you were a neutral. If you are with Olton you feel very hard done by and full credit to Knowle for battling until the very end and getting themselves back in the game.

Congratulations to all our lads who showed real determination to make sure we left the game with something. It is never easy to play under those conditions and you stood up to be counted when you were needed most.

Steve