David Raven: Consoling Van Dijk, marking Ronaldo, springing FA Cup shocks at 35

“I wouldn’t say it was that heroic,” says David Raven, the former Liverpool and England youth defender, as he considers how Marine beat Colchester United in the FA Cup last Saturday despite a barrier of professionalism and four divisions separating them and their League Two hosts.

“It was,” he insists, “a calm and calculated performance. Alright, Kenny (Strickland) cleared one off the line with virtually the last kick of the game but I can’t think of too many times where they got in behind us. In 90 minutes, we were the better side and across 120 minutes I think we wanted it more.”

Marine’s victory via a penalty shootout was — besides Chorley’s turning over of League One’s Wigan Athletic — the biggest shock of the first round. It was possible, Raven thinks, because Marine had an unusual plan, and it worked.

At training on Merseyside three days before the tie, manager Neil Young told…