Raven flying high
Last updated 10:56, Monday, 24 March 2008
UNLIKELY goal hero David Raven pledged he’ll be down from cloud nine in time to help Carlisle United complete a massive Easter double against Northampton this afternoon.
Raven scored his first goal in professional football on Saturday at the 94th attempt as impressive United swept Leyton Orient aside 3-0 to go second in League One.
A second victory in three days against the Cobblers today (Brunton Park, 3pm) will see John Ward’s men tighten their grip on the second automatic promotion place.
And while Raven admitted he was “buzzing” after breaking his long-standing duck in London, he promised he won’t be distracted from the job in hand today.
“We can’t afford to get carried away - and neither can I,” said the former Liverpool defender.
United, now unbeaten in 10 games, are offering under-11s free entry with a paying adult today in a bid to pack out Brunton Park, while assistant manager Greg Abbott has called for a five-figure crowd to roar on the Blues as they step up their Championship bid.
Raven, meanwhile, can scarcely believe he finally has a goal to his name in senior football after striking United’s second at the Matchroom Stadium, watched by 890 travelling fans in the 6,134 crowd.
“It could have gone anywhere, but it ended up in the goal and I didn’t have a clue what to do after that,” he said.
“After the game I had about 14 messages on my mobile from people saying there must have been a mistake on Sky Sports when my name came up.
“It’s good to get that goal before I got to 100 games and I just hope it’s not as long again before I get my next one.”
The Blues, who should be unchanged as they bid for a 14th straight home win today.
Twelfth-placed Northampton will include striker Adebayo Akinfenwa, who scored the winner against United for Swansea in the 2006 Football League Trophy final
