The Reserves drew 1-1 with Southall FC at home
With an average age of just under 18, the Reserves started their league campaign fielding the youngest side in the club’s history. It would be a tough test against a very well drilled Premier League Reserve side.
After a nervy start they began to dominate in midfield with Luke Giles and Owen Harper linking up well to bamboozle their older combatants. The back 4 also handled the early pressure well with 17 year old Will Conway calling the shots. Captain Emmanuel Alexander was also leading from the front and helped deal with the Southall physicality.
Ten minutes before half time, a superb defensive header by Conway was touched on by the striker to confuse the Southall center backs. Giles nipped in to steal the ball and ran through on goal. He composed himself and slotted the ball around the keeper.
The second half was a different story as Southall resorted to playing long balls down wind and it proved effective with a swift equaliser. The new tactic had the Dragons dropping too deep and they continually lost possession. However they still looked the more likely to score on the break. Two late chances fell to the substitute player manager but a wayward header and a terrific full length save in injury time denied the young dragons what would have been a memorable first win. A creditable point though with a team of 9 debutants.