With the Dragons everywhere revelling in the bracing conditions few were dreaming of lying on sun drenched beaches:

The First beat Brentham 1-0 away. After last week’s big win this game was even bigger as it would consolidate the result. Brentham started with intent but gradually the contest started to become more one sided in the Dragons favour. Opportunities were missed and at the interval it was still 0-0.  After the break neither side was really threatening to score though the Dragons remained in control and solid at the back. It was this foundation that meant a slip in Brentham’s concentration would get the result. With a corner on 70 minutes the ball managed to miss everyone at the near post to leave a Dragon to stab the ball home from eight yards. Both teams huffed and puffed to find the next goal but it did not come and a gritty one nil win was satisfactory for the Dragons who now entertain in the cup next week.

The Reserves had no game

The U17’s had no game

The U15’s beat Yeading 6-2 at St Marks. It was never in doubt that the Dragons were going to win. What was in doubt was could they keep their shape knowing they were going to win; or were they going to gallivant all over the place practicing back heals, kickovers etc etc. The verdict must be a bit of both. The Dragons remain unbeaten in the league.

The U14 Eagles beat Pitshanger 7-2 at St Marks. To quote the Manager “There were those who supposed this might be a stroll in the park. And so it appeared as we practically walked in two goals in the opening ten minutes. But this, of course, is football and the truths of the universe prevail. So however much talent you’ve got on the pitch it’s worthless without that magic ingredient – Hard Work. And as if to admire our early rewards, we sat back and watched Pitshanger respond in kind. Two swift hits, the first a text-book example of the striker’s predatory art, saw the Eagles knocked unceremoniously off their high perch, hard-earned pride momentarily scorched. The response, however, was as magnificent as it was immediate. A quick double substitution, some generalised shouting and the mighty Dragons were roused once again. Within minutes the lead was restored through a strike of rare quality (a high and rising half-volley from 15 yards kept so low and hard the keeper could be grateful he was nowhere near it). From there on in the Eagles applied themselves faultlessly ­into the break at 4-2 and pressing on right from the restart. It finished 7-2, with Dragons en-masse hungry for the ball, memories of the early wobble fading with the midday light”

The U14 Nighthawks lost 2-3 against Portobello in dubious circumstances. The close match was ultimately decided by two bad refereeing decisions. The linesman signalled a player carrying the ball with his hand as he assisted in a Portobello goal. The referee saw the lineman’s raised flag but blatantly ignored it, despite a Portobello parent commenting “it was a clear handball”; when asked why, he said “I’m the ref and I make the decision”. later when the Dragons scored the 3-3 equaliser the referee confirmed the goal. The linesman, a timid teenager from the Portobello team, under pressure from his coach who was shouting “offside” belatedly stuck his flag up. The ref duly changed his mind without consulting the linesman to see who was offside and disallowed the goal. When asked why, he said “the linesman raised his flag”. Outrageous.

The U13’s lost 1-3 to Yeading Wanderers. If this had been a boxing match the fight would have been stopped by half-time. The Dragons played an outstanding first half, dominating possession and territory. The midfield and defenders won the ball at will and the attack always looked dangerous. Eventually the opening goal came as the Dragon winger bobbed and weaved passed a couple of defenders to play a killer pass into his striker who clinically finished to give the Dragons a well-deserved lead. Yeading were on the ropes but the Dragons could not land the killer blow and this proved to be their undoing as they were caught with a sucker punch in the last minute of the first half. The second half was more even. As the Dragons started to tire however on the heavy pitch Yeading took cruel advantage to take the lead. The game was then held up for several minutes when the Dragons centre half took a blow to the nose from the ball and despite valiantly trying to carry on had to leave the pitch with a bleeding nose. The remaining 10 Dragons were now out on their feet and Yeading used their 5 subs to give the knockout blow. The Dragons tried to respond and created a couple of chances but had to settle for an undeserved loss. But like Rocky they will look forward to the re-match.

The Dragons lost 1-5 to Wealdstone in unusual circumstances. The Dragons arrived with a full squad only to be held waiting for hours in the freezing cold for the game to start. An exhilarating first half was dominated by the Dragons who came back from 0-1 down to equalise 1-1 from a well executed goal before half time. The second half saw a solid performance from Wealdstone resulting in the Dragons conceding four soft goals and as the Dragons came back into the game they ran out of time to pull back.

We are off to a great start with the Firsts beating the league leaders to take the number one spot:

The Firsts beat Sandgate 5-3. With only one league defeat the Dragons aim was to hit the ground running against top of the table Sandgate. The game started better for Sandgate who took advantage of poor defending to open the scoring. The Dragons upped their play to dominate but at half-time Sandgate remained a goal up. Within 5 minutes of the restart the Dragons had drawn level from a header and then shortly after scored again via a corner to take the lead. It was now one way traffic and a last ditch Sandgate tackle lead to a penalty to make it three. Dragons were now in cruise control and only a mistake would let Sandgate back in but alas an error from the back line did just that. The Dragons responded with substitutions with one contributing to a great move down the left as the other sub finished calmly to restore the two goal advantage. Two would become three when Sandgate crudely brought down a Dragon to give away another converted penalty. There was still time for Sandgate to grab another goal but a great second half by the Dragons ensured that for the first time this season they claim top spot.

The Reserves beat Sloane away 1-0 at Hackney Marshes. The Reserves looked surprisingly sharp in the opening stages as they faced, for the second time this season, a reserve side full of Premier League first teamers as their game had been called off. Some cute link up play down the right lead to a Dragons shot but a good stop from Sloane’s keeper thwarted the Dragons. With the defence looking sharp there were positive signs that the Dragons would grab the 3 points. However as time wore on and half chances were not capitalised on Sloane shook off their Christmas cobwebs and evened the play up before the referee blew for half time. After a similar opening first 20 minutes the Dragons coach switched to a 4-3-3 to allow the creative midfield to get further forward and the game changed immediately but with the final ball lacking terribly leaving the Sloane keeper largely unchallenged. The referee had a poor game and countless Dragons were upended but without a free kick in sight. Finally in injury time a free kick was awarded on the line for what was nearly an assault on the Dragons winger. A delightful delivery over the defence to the far post lead to the Dragons veteran striker saving the day with an outstretched leg and volley home. The referee looked at his watch and blew as Sloane kicked off and the jubilant Dragons had got the win they deserved.

The U14 Nighthawks lost 2-11 away against a mid division team that they had beaten at home. It was one of those days with not enough players and no keeper. The Dragons were the better team and were 2-3 down at the break but simply did not have the energy reserves for the 2nd half.

The U14 Eagles beat Heathrow Club 7-3 away. The Dragons manager said at the post match press conference: ” It wasn’t quite purple Hayes, but the Dragons certainly brought welcome patches of colour to a damp, fog-shrouded West London this Sunday. Bright, creative and hungry for the ball, our boys carried on from where they’d left 2012. Heathrow bustled like their airport (albeit with fewer strikes) but after a hearty start from both sides it was the Eagles who really took flight. And though our early break was cancelled out by a soft penalty (their eager striker colliding with a slice of late-departing fog) our class was always going to tell. While the home side laboured in Economy, we showed great maturity by appearing as comfortable in Business (with hard, direct balls to the our tireless forwards) as First (with patient passing, crafty movement and slick finishing to delight the connoisseur). Five-one up at half-time, there were signs of easing in the second as the heavy pitch drew strength from weary legs. Heathrow pulled two back against the run of play, but for them it was all too late. The damage was terminal and despite a flurry of scything tackles the roaring Dragons jinked and skipped their way to an emphatic 7:3 victory. These Eagles, it appears, have most definitely landed.”

The remaining teams had no games.

An unbeaten week saw the Dragons score 24 goals to the combined opposition’s paltry 5 as they hurtled to the Christmas break in the secure knowledge that our wins have been deserved and our defeats down to perfidious refs or dastardly opposition tricks:

The U11’s beat TFA Crouch End 5-3 at home in sweet revenge. With a few international stars away the Dragons started with conviction and hunger, determined to continue their winning streak. The team was sharp and played with finesse as an early 20 yard scorcher started super Sunday. This was followed by a fast run down the left wing before a cut across three of the opposition ended in the ball landing in the back of the Crouch End’s net.  The Dragons defence withstood the pressure and the first half ended 3 – 0 to the Dragons. The second half started with Crouch End swinging into action to score two successive goals to take the game to a nail biting climax. It was then end to end football with the Dragons midfield scoring a great solo goal to stabilise the side.

The U13’s had no game

Both U14 teams had no game

The U15’s walloped Harrow St Marys 8-1 at home. With many of the Dragons squad away, including the goalie nursing an injured thumb in Brazil, it was an almost makeshift team that lined up against Harrow. The Dragons passed, ran and shot to little avail for much of the first half but eventually the essential talent of the Dragons showed through and the goals came. The U15’s remain undefeated in the League.

The U17’s beat Celtic 3-0 at Birbeck. The Dragons were keen to notch up a victory and were out in strength on this beautiful sunny December morning. Shortly after kick-off the Dragons scored from a lovely pass to allow the right midfield to slot the ball home. The Dragons were then thwarted from scoring again by a number of near-misses including hitting the crossbar. Back on the field the Dragons continued to press but again failed to score until two further goals were scored late in the second half when their persistence was finally rewarded.

The First Team  beat Pitshanger Dynamo 4-0 away to continue their winning streak. There is a long way to go but possible promotion to the Premiership has been mentioned.

The Reserves beat CB Hounslow 4-1 at home in the 3rd round of the MCFL Junior Cup. This was a big test for the Reserve squad with no less than 10 players unavailable. The Dragons started poorly, even with the strong wind helping the territorial advantage; both young and older Dragons kept gifting possession. In five crazy minutes the Dragons missed two open goals before then managing to fail to net with 4 attempts in one move hitting the post and bar in the process. Finally after 25 minutes the Dragons striker was felled and the resulting penalty converted. A superb Dragons corner was headed home before the striker scored again with a hooked left foot after reading a long throw from the right. It was 4-0 at half time when the ball was neatly tucked into the corner from the centre midfielder. If there ever was a poor first half that finished 4-0 up this was it! The second half was a drab affair with the Dragons dropping deeper with the wind and having to reshuffle due to injury at the back. Hounslow managed a consolation goal in the last few minutes but the result was never in doubt.

We will be back in the New Year

Variable winter weather has seen the Dragons battle on through various vicissitudes laced with triumphs as we hurtle towards the Christmas break:

The Girls continue to train on Fridays from 5.30 – 7pm on the Westway main pitch – all girls from 9 years old welcome, just turn up.

The Firsts beat Brentham 3-2 away in the Cup. Brentham had tried to call off the game but were thwarted by the Dragons Secretary reminding Brentham that the decision could only be made on the day. The pitch passed inspection and the game duly kicked off. The opening ten minutes was one way traffic from the focused Dragons which lead to a moment of madness from Brentham’s goalie who upended the Dragon striker with the ball nowhere in sight. The referee had no alternative but to award a penalty which was duly converted. The half continued in much the same fashion when out of nowhere Brentham countered to equalise. Another reminder that chances shouldn’t be taken for granted just taken. This jolt did not de-rail the Dragons and a quick inter-play between forwards gave them a second goal. The tempo remained high and a clever Dragon through ball ended with the rushing keeper being lobbed to leave the Dragons 3-1 up at the break. The second half failed to reach similar heights with Brentham being kept at arms length and Dragons wasteful in possession. Brentham did score a consolation goal but the Dragons are through to the last eight.

The Reserves beat Shepperton 4-1 in extra time in the Middlesex Cup quarter final. The Dragons began poorly with the back four struggling although going forward was more positive. After 25 minutes sloppy play saw Shepperton nip in and the Dragons centre back slicing him down for a converted Brentham penalty. Testing times for the Dragons – it was about getting to half time and re-organising. The formation was switched to 4-4-2 and it was a different proposition from the restart. Shepperton knew they were now in danger and began to break up the game with the help of the referee blowing for the slightest touch on any player. Half chances came and went and with 15 minutes left the Dragons appealed for a penalty to equalise. It was into Extra Time and a dreadful Shepperton foul gave the Dragons another penalty and a 2-1 lead. Three minutes later yet another penalty gave the Dragons another goal. Shepperton were beaten and then killed off any chances of a revival by gaining 2 red cards. Another foul lead to yet another Dragons penalty and a 4-1 win to reach the semi final in February.

The U17’s lost 1-3 to Pinnstars at Birbeck in a disappointing day for the Dragons who lead 1-0 at half time. A combination of a lack of concentration in the second half with Pinnstars coming out much more aggressively, left the final score at 1-3 to give Pinnstars an unexpected win.

The U15’s drew 2-2 with Ruislip Town Away. Through an unusual combination of usual circumstances Dragons had not played a match for over a month and it showed. It was not long before two superb Dragons crosses were deftly converted to goals and the Dragons were 2-0 up. Frustratingly Ruislip had a very determined side buttressed by a superb goalie and the Dragons lack of match sharpness lead to no more goals. Ruislip had no such inhibitions and crept their way back to 2-2 which is where it irritatingly stayed. Still the U15’s remain undefeated in the League.

The U14 Eagles beat Totteridge 5-1 away. To quote the lyrical Dragons Manager “Sorrow in Southall had left us cowed like crouching tigers. On Sunday we pounced back as Hendon Dragons. Playing at last beneath the Wembley arch (rising, just, to the darkening South) we were made to work for our victory. This was a Totteridge side transformed from the one crushed so elegantly at St Mark’s in October. Of some nine fine first-half Eagles strikes, only one found the net, and that was quickly cancelled out by a penalty inspired by the patron saint of falling timber, Arsenal’s St Santi Cazorla. The second half brought little relief on a day of graft and toil. And as the driving wind emptied the Hendon playing fields of light and people and possibly hope, the Dragons management began to fear the worst. But then a rebound nicked, a rasping strike and a final flash of brilliance saw a decent score racked up in time for the final whistle. 1-5 to us and every goal wrestled from the Totteridge mud to send us into the Christmas break more relieved than euphoric. After that very un-peaceful YAC Ealing, these Eagles deserve to take it easy. Until the New Year, then…”

The U14 Nighthawks had not game

The U13’s lost 1-3 to Yeading Wanderers at Wormwood Scrubbs. If this had been a boxing match the fight would have been stopped by half-time. The Dragons put up an outstanding half of football dominating possession and territory; the midfield and defenders won the ball at will and the attack always looked dangerous to give the Dragons a well-deserved lead. Yeading were on the ropes but the Dragons could not deliver a killer second goal which proved to be their undoing as Yeading equalised in the last minute before the break. The second half was more even with chances being created at both ends. The Dragons however eventually started to tire on the heavy pitch and Yeading took the lead. The game was then held up for several minutes as the Dragons centre half took a blow to the nose from the ball and, despite valiantly trying to carry on, had to leave the pitch with a bleeding nose. The remaining 10 Dragons were now out on their feet and Yeading counter attacked with fresh substitutes to score their 3rd. The Dragons tried to respond and created a couple of chances but had to settle for an undeserved loss. But like Rocky they look forward to the re-match

The U11’s beat Watling 5-3 at Wormwood Scrubbs. A nearly full Dragons squad started with a team photograph and looked intimidating from the start. After fifteen minutes they were leading 2 – 0, from two really well executed goals created from slick passing anchored by strong defending. The Dragons were playing their best football of the season and after a robust team talk at half time the second half was under way. The Dragons were soon winning 3–0 which lead inevitably to a false sense of security and a lack of concentration allowed Watling to apply the pressure to sneak two goals back. The Dragons coaches made two well-timed substitutions which resulted in a debut performance and a goal. The Dragons scored again just before the final whistle to end a 5–3 well deserved victory.

With the Girls section still gathering numbers for their first game, Saturday saw the debut of our new U10’s and the Firsts continue their winning streak. Sunday saw frozen pitches:

The New U10’s drew with mighty South Ealing Saints and then narrowly lost 3-4 in the second half in the dark damp wilds of Ealing. The U10’s ignored the massive Saints support and battled their way on a muddy pitch to a standstill draw in the first half. Whilst the Saints then rolled on a seemingly new team the brave Dragons rolled up their sleeves and dug deep to withstand the repeated Saints onslaughts. With the lead constantly changing sides the massed fans held their collective breath but it was the Saints who narrowly squeaked a lucky late win. A great debut from the Dragons who are clearly a team to watch as they develop.

The U11’s was called off due to a frozen pitch.

The U13’s lost away 1-2 to Venceremos in a game that was in doubt right up to kick off with the sun just having enough heat to thaw the pitch. The frozen Dragons conceded in the first few minutes as they failed to clear the ball. A strong halftime talk from the coach lead to a marked improvement in the Dragons midfield as they crafted the equaliser. Veneceremos came straight back and only the post saved the Dragons from going behind until a long ball was allowed to bounce, bisect the defence and then beat the goal keeper. The Dragons still sensed they could grab a point but squandered a one on one with the keeper when the shot narrowly went the wrong side of the post to leave the Dragons pointless.

The U14 Nighthawks just lost 0-1 to Hanwell Town at St Marks. The match was evenly balanced but unfortunately the ref was inexperienced and ended up making – probably not by design – a few wrong calls that penalised the Dragons: disallowing a goal when the linesman incorrectly called off-side; not giving a free kick when a Hanwell player brazenly pushed a  Dragon defender to score; and (astonishingly) ended the game early at 32 minutes when everybody (including opponents) knew that this was a mistake. The only and best line of defence in unlucky situations like this is to stay the course and try to play even better to overcome differences. The Manager was quoted as saying “So, heads up and let’s go win the next match!”

The U14 Eagles lost 2-4 to YAC Star Ealing at St Marks. The great Andres Iniesta has tried to suggest there is only one way to play football. As the mighty Eagles have discovered to their cost, that simply isn¹t so. Playing attractive, thoughtful football requires time to think, and when you face a team full of running, urgency and only-just contained aggression, you’re never going to get it. While last week the Dragons blamed the comedy conditions, this Sunday the truth was as sharp and clear as the cold blue sky that crowned St Mark’s. Again Ealing went one up and again the Dragons fought back to tie at half-time. After the restart Ealing pressed until the Dragons over-worked defence began to leak. Quicker in the box, harder in the tackle, and luckier in a key decision or two, Ealing worked their way to 4-1 up before they too began to tire. The Dragons pulled one back and finished the stronger side – a tribute to a deep resilience and a steely confidence. All is not lost. The Dragons maintain considerable strengths. As the man in the pub once unerringly observed, football is a funny old game. These Eagles may yet reach number one.

The U15’s game was called off at the last moment as the pitch was frozen

The U17’s game was called off after much inspection and debate due to a frozen pitch

The Firsts beat Hillingdon Abbots 7-1 away to continue their good form. There is still a long way to go but promotion to the Premiership has been talked about in some circles. One game at a time must be the watchword.

The Reserves had no game

If you would to find out more information about our new U11s, please contact U11s@kensingtondragons.com