The Firsts lost 1-3 to Camden & Islington away. The Firsts suffered a second successive defeat in the League against a team that they know – on a better day but perhaps not on Hackney Marshes – they could and should beat. The priority now is to dust themselves off and laser focus on the run into the Xmas period.
The Blues beat Deep Hearts 5-2 at home. A good win for the Blues who remain undefeated this season. The Dragons had to weather 10 minutes where Deep Hearts looked like they could get back into the game, but they took control and put all doubt to bed after dispatching back to back goals.
The Old Dragonians lost at home to Grove Park Rangers. The Old Ds tasted defeat in the League for the first time since November. A difficult day against an opponent that the Dragons would expect to beat with a full squad but football doesn’t work that way. With the game delicately poised at 2-2 in the first half the Dragons had a goal disallowed incorrectly then missed an open goal from 3 yards. To compound their misery, their talisman centre went down with a possible ACL injury and from then the Dragons’ minds were pre-occupied and GPR ran away with the game.
The U16 Girls beat Triangoals 4-1 at home. The Dragons conceded a goal in the first 30 seconds leaving those of their fans with a more sensitive disposition worrying about what would happen next. The answer proved to be that the Dragons put in a clinical performance in front of home fans to get their first three points of the season. Albeit – they have only played two games so far in the initial League banding phase. But good things must surely be on their way.
The U14 Girls drew 2-2 to local rivals Actonians in the Middx Cup, but were then sadly beaten 2-3 from the penalty spot. The Dragons started strongly to dominate the first half, passing and moving the ball well. It was level at 1-1 by the break. The Dragons then started to get leggy in the second half and inevitably conceded. They rallied and kept pushing to find an equaliser and – with 5mins to go – found one to force penalties. The Dragons started well, looking calm under pressure, but the Actonians keeper was the hero who stopped too many for the Dragons’ liking.
The U12 Girls lost away at St Josephs. The Dragons had a lot of possession but without their natural goalkeeper they struggled to play out from goal kicks which led to one too many gifts to St Josephs. At the other end, St Josephs’ keeper was ironically named the Dragons’ player of the match as she saved what would have been lifelines for the Dragons.
The U17 Girls had no game.
The U18 Boys drew 2-2 at home to Wealdstone in regular time of the Middx Cup, to then lose agonisingly 8-9 on penalties. The Dragons played magnificently against a strong Wealdstone side who are currently bettering them in the League. The team dug deep and with nothing to split them, it came down to who could hold their nerve from the spotkick. Goal after goal was scored and – as the goalkeepers were about to step up themselves – Wealdstone got their advantage to the Dragons’ dismay. So close but a most entertaining, exciting match
The U17 Boys lost at home to Pinnstars U18s in the Middx Cup. Pinnstars were a year older playing in a men’s league so they were tough opponents. For most of the match it was a close affair with Pinnstars pulling ahead by 2 goals only for the Dragons to score from a sublime passing move which culminated in a wondrous strike to make it 1-2. The Dragons then wobbled before regaining their resolve in the last 15 minutes but by that time Pinnstars had added enough goals to ensure their win. It is back to the League next week.
The U16 Boys lost away to Youngs in the Middx Cup. A very tough game for the Dragons playing against a side two divisions above in the top tier. Tried as they might the Dragons just could not find a way through.
The U15 Boys Red home game to Kick Ups was postponed.
The U15 Boys White beat Football Samurai 4-1 away. You would be hard pressed to find 4 better goals in youth team football. The Dragons produced a masterclass to control the game and never looked like losing, playing with intensity and desire from the first minute. The goals: 30-yarders into the top corner, a 20-yarder from just outside the penalty area onto the angle and the 4th goal from the centre mid who beat 2 players, dropped his shoulder and rifled in from 12 yards. So far so good in the League for the Dragons who remain unbeaten.
The U14 Boys beat Ickenham 6-1 away in the Middx Trophy. A wonderful win in the knockout competition to send the Dragons into the next round and provide some vital moral-boosting endorphins. The Dragons are currently looking pretty good in all competitions.
The U13 Boys drew 0-0 to St Josephs away. On paper, this should have been a straightforward win for the Dragons, having beaten St Josephs five times in their previous six encounters, with one draw. The Dragons worked hard and dominated much of the game but simply couldn’t turn their chances into goals. Despite their efforts, the final whistle blew at 0–0, leaving the Dragons frustrated with two points dropped. Plenty of positives to take away, but a reminder that dominating a game means little if you don’t score!
The U12 Boys lost 1-3 at home to Ickenham Youth. Another tough learning experience for the young Dragons who continue to grow as a team even in difficult circumstances. The Dragons started off slowly which Ickenham capitalised on with 2 soft goals. After that, the Dragons were the better team but just didn’t take their chances.
The U11 Boys Red lost 1-2 to London Athletic away. A narrow loss for these young feisty Dragons who tried to take the game to LA on their home turf and played fantastically – but were, alas, just outscored in a finely balanced game.
The U11 Boys White drew 1-1 to FC Starz away. The Dragons played well to dominated the game. The only reason they missed out on all three points is because of their own missed chances. Nevertheless, there is great chemistry building between the team.
