Ravens 7 v 1 The Anchor
By Matt Hennessy

Ravens were recovering from the 9-2 drubbing they received at the hands of Sevens the previous week. A good performance was needed to make everyone more optimistic about the season.
Things got off to a good start when Ravens took the lead thanks to a good run by Robert Olding who picked Ross Evans out who finished like a man on a mission with his 3rd goal in 2 games. Shortly after a long throw from John Burdett found the prolific figure of Ross Evans who headed home with aplomb. The Anchor then equalised with a great finish leaving Grant Sadler feeling like a plane had just driven past him. Ravens then had to defend and make sure our lead was not completely lost, but thanks to some great defensive play from John Burdett and Rob Bentham The Anchor were kept at bay. Soon after, Ravens took the lead thanks to Matt Hennessy loading the dishwasher and John Burdett throwing his mop at the ball to convert his first of the season. Ravens then made it 4 when Tim Browne and Matt Hennessy combined brilliantly and Matt Hennessy curled home from 20 yards. It stayed 4-1 until half time where Ross Evans took the team talk.
Ravens then came out for the 2nd half but seemed to be a bit over confident on the ball and everybody trying to do too much, this lasted about 10 minutes and then Ross Evans added another glorious header to his seasons tally thanks to a great corner from Rob Olding. The game was then interrupted for a few seconds when Mitchell Penn came back on the scene for the first time since he was crocked by a grotesque tackle which broke his leg.
Anyway where was I, oh yes I remember. Ross Evans then added a 4th to his tally with a great bit of control and a finish to match. Just when we thought things couldn’t get any better a long throw from John Burdett was punched clear by an anchorian. Ravens decided it would be perfect for Mitchell Penn to finish his first game back with a goal. However Mitchell failed to convert and ballooned the ball over for a goal kick. In the dying seconds Rob Olding broke through the defence like an elephant jumping on a trampoline and struck the ball with pace which deflected of a defender and sailed into the net. The final whistle was blown and ravens have now got 6 points from 3 games.

Player Ratings
Grant Sadler- 8- Agility of a Yorkshire terrier. Alert to danger like his drink was spiked with caffeine.
Liam Dodsley- 7- Good in the air and hard in the tackle.
Rob Bentham- 9- Absolutely fantastic. Worked hard, committed as ever, good in the air, pick of the back 4.
John Burdett- 8- Lead the line very well and superior in the air, some tidy passing.
Kyle Moss- 8- Instead of his hands he had their left midfielder in his pocket for the whole game, good in the air and some intelligent long balls.
Jamie Hawthorne- 6- Found it difficult to get into the game, his pace nearly got him in promising positions on several occasions.
Tarik Foley-9- Awesome from start to finish, good forward running, some delicious crosses, works so hard and well worth his starting place on this showing.
Matt Hennessy-8- A well taken goal, some good through balls and link up play.
Tim Browne-8- Started in centre midfield for the first time and had a good understanding with Matt Hennessy, some great passing and cleared up in front of the back 4 well.
Rob Olding-8- Some fabulous crosses, troubled the defence with his pace, and a great goal.
Ross Evans-10- Battled well and scored 4 beautiful goals. As good in the air as Antoine Sibierski. Intelligent running and finished like a man possessed.

Subs
Mitchell Penn-5- Just back from injury, the ball just wouldn’t go in for him.
Omni Sambrook- Away on international duty.