The U18’s lost 0-1 to Pitshanger in the League Cup Final in front of a packed house at North Greenford’s ground. Having already won the Premiership title the Dragons started a little nervously against a more settled Pitshanger. A few raids down the left were just about dealt with but on 20 minutes Pitshanger’s tricky number 7 rounded two Dragons to leave the centre back isolated and his resulting challenge was judged a penalty. The Dragons goalie made a tremendous save with a fine dive to his right, only for the ball to drop nicely for the penalty taker to run in and prod home. The Dragons were initially stunned but as the half went on grew in confidence. Half chances came and went and but when the Dragon’s number 10 miss controlled in front of goal, for the first time this season, it seemed fate was against the Dragons. The second half was an exciting affair with end to end play. Both teams had chances to score but as time progressed the Dragons began to dominate and it looked simply a question of when they would score. The switch to 3-5-2 pushed Pitshanger back and they were happy to settle for defending their lead in the last 15 minutes. It has to be said that they defended magnificently but finally, after 2 great chances were missed, in the 88th minute the Dragons scored from a corner. Celebrations began only to be squashed with the referee ruling that Pitshanger’s goalie had been pushed. It has to be further said that to the Dragons it looked as if it was a Pitshanger player who bundled into his own player. Suddenly the referee blew the whistle after less than a minute’s injury time and the game was over with every non Dragon seemingly relieved that it did not go on to extra time. It is now onto the Trophy Cup.
Match date Monday 7th May.