Kilburn 0 v 4 Kensington Dragons

The feeling amongst the group that the recent results that have not gone our way was down to more the sub-standard levels of performance from the collective. It would be required therefore to put this right before the momentum that the group had worked so hard to achieve would be lost and or have a negative impact on our season.

Therefore everyone crossed the line with something to prove to themselves as much as to the Manager that they are up for the season long challenge rather than just a part of it.

It would be against the free-scoring Kilburn side that on their day can hurt anybody and would require a concentrated hard working performance to gain the result.

Things started in favour of the away side as the opposition only had ten men on the pitch but Dragons failed to take advantage of this, not able to use the extra man to create good goal scoring opportunities. Soon enough the opposition were restored to a full compliment and with the greater frequency of opportunities that this created for Kilburn.

Dragons were forced to up the level of their game. Better goal scoring opportunities where now being created by Dragons and it seemed a matter of time before they would find a break through. A free kick from 25 yards out allowed Nalu Moso to line up the strike and in doing so he found his free kick sneak through the wall and past the outstretched goalkeeper to give Dragons the lead.

The game now had a nice flow from end to end but it was Dragons who still carried the greatest threat, but with all their possession at this time there was nothing incisive enough to break through the Kilburn rear-guard.

A greater level of urgency was needed about Dragons play and they started the second half off with a high tempo and a good move down the left hand side and the cross into the box made its way to Maxwell who’s low cross shot rolled into the far corner and extended the lead.

With Dragons now in control of the game substitutions could now be made with players off the bench who also wanted to make an impression and it was the two subs that combined for the third goal as the ball at Maddens feet on the edge of the box was able to square to Meremikwu and his low hard shot into the corner flew past the keeper with ease.

The only disappointment at this point in time for the Dragons was from the referee who seemingly lost control of the game and was frustrating players with his incompetence. it did not stop Dragons desire to remain focused in getting three points.

The final substitute at this point had time for his impression to be made on the game when he was found on the edge of the box and Malone had no hesitation in pulling the trigger and his shot was deflected and gave the goalkeeper no chance. A decisive performance and victory for Dragons and a good confidence boost with the home draw up next to the leaders of the division above in the cup.

Kensington Dragons 0 v 0 Interwood 0 (Away win on pens AET 2-4). Premier Division Cup

Any hint of a storm on its way would have been clearly present with the wet and blustery conditions in West London. Dragons prepared for the visit of a team intent on setting the record straight after we had inflicting their first defeat of the season. Dragons concerns lay elsewhere and that was in making good use of the chance to give squad members more minutes to enhance the strength of the squad for the league campaign. It looked as if such members would get off to a great start as all three were involved in a move that resulted in Mariner somehow not connecting properly from six yards. It was probably the clearest opportunity for either side in the opening half where strong midfield and compact defence had both teams cancelling one another out.

The trend did not change to any with good build up play at either end being let down by a telling final ball. While it is easy to heap praise on the attacking side of the game, there should be as much recognition given to the defensive side of the game and both teams where showing why they will have a big say in where the title goes this year. Still both teams searched for the winner and with all substitutions made before the 90 minutes were up it would be Dragons that finished stronger with Mariner making space for a measured shot that just missed the target. So without the deadlock broken extra-time followed and Dragons continued to win on points sustaining longer spells of possession and when they did get through a player on the line or an instinctive save from the keeper would not allow this match to avoid a penalty shoot-out.

It was Dragons who started the kicks and we quickly got to two a piece but Dragons then went on to miss their next two and with that bowed out of the second cup with one remaining, and more importantly a league game to concentrate on next Saturday to remain at the summit against the highest scoring team in the division.

Sporting Hackney 1 v 1 Kensington Dragons

The two high scoring teams from the previous round met with high expectations of maintaining the momentum they have built up until now. On what has been suggested to be one of the biggest amateur pitches in the country, Dragons set out with a game plan. Like all good plans the opportunity to implement it is key so with a shaky start and an error from Joseph Muyanja in goal to concede in five minutes was far from ideal. The message at this point was to stay clam remember what we set out to do and try and make it work.

This is where the maturity of this side can be seen where everyone rallies one another to meet the high standards set and belief that they can do what they set out to achieve. So once they weathered the Hackney storm, Dragons started to play and find and use the high amount of space on the pitch. Chances created started to become more frequent and John Malone, Billy Maxwell and Geoff Nalu Moso could have all scored.

Whilst the fractious assistant referee was doing his best to rile players Dragons were able to keep their composure enough and a great driving run from Maddy Mkoloma down the left channel left players in his wake and delivered an unmissable cross for Bangoo to nod home on the stroke of half-time.

The re-group at half time seemed to favour Dragons more on this occasion and they started the second period much the better side with greater periods of possession and looking the more likely to score next. Though keeping Hackney to the odd counter attack Dragons lacked the cutting edge of the week before and chances to go ahead and kill the game came and went and the Hackney goal-keeper remained resilient when others were wilting in front of him.

So a half of near-misses and defensive solidarity meant the game finished in a stalemate and the feeling amongst the Dragons was one of disappointment in not closing the game. A positive indicator of how far the group has come in a short period of the season and where their expectations lie in regards to their ambitions this season, “….not happy to settle for anything but winning!”

Kensington Dragons 7 v 1 British Airways

For a victory of such a significant margin of six goals to happen a few things have to happen. That is the winning team were extremely good, the opposition were extremely bad or one team had a huge chunk of luck on their side. In this such scenario the latter two were not the determining factors. Yes this win had been bubbling under the surface of the recent Dragons victories only on this occasion the chances that were squandered in previous games were taken with greater frequency in this fixture. British Airways may argue the difference but they would have to do some searching to recall a defeat of such margins. Yes the current winner’s of this division had just come off the back of an excellent 7-2 win the week before and must have felt this would be an ideal opportunity to put the league newcomers in their place.

In the first half both teams were vying for supremacy with defences tight and the midfield cancelling one another out goal scoring opportunities were seldom at best. Half way through the first forty five a nice three man move down the right released Mariner who squared for the in running Malone to open the scoring. Dragons remained resolute up to the interval as BA tried to find a way back into the game.

Come the second half you felt the next goal would be an important one. With a dead ball situation early in the half awarded to Dragons the resulting ball was fumbled by the goalkeeper and Maxwell was in the right place to notch another goal for himself and more importantly Dragons. This put the home side in an ideal situation where their football was able to come to the fore.

Nalu Moso was the grateful recipient at this point with assists from Malone and O’Donoghue he added the goals that had so frequently alluded his performances to date. With a large scoreline, a lapse in concentration allowed BA one of their few sights at goal on the day and Dragons were punished. It was of no consequence as the error was quickly attoned for by Bowler who strode out of defence to release the diligent Mariner who got his deserved goal.

Nalu Moso was not finished yet as he completed his hat-trick with a cheeky finish and set-up Meremikwu to open his account for his new Kensington club.

This was a team performance with much to admire and respect but in the knowledge that one outstanding victory in any season does not win you anything. So the team move on to the other free scoring team of this weekend to make this win mean more than just a scoreline.

AFC Hayes Reserves 1 v 2 Kensington Dragons

After the disappointing result and performance of last weeks’ cup exit the Dragons were looking to get back on track and maintain their good form in the league. With the unknown quantity of any reserve team, Dragons could not afford to underestimate the opposition as they may have been guilty of doing the week before.

Therefore a bright start was made by Dragons with an obvious level of comfort on the ball that was being distributed at a good tempo. Though the quality and speed of play was not allowing the opposition to have an impact in the game it would only be proved worthy with a goal. The best of such opportunities came from set-pieces as the build-up play was being thwarted by the Hayes back-line at the last moment. Dragons continued to be patient though and use the big pitch to their advantage.

On the stroke of half-time another set-piece opportunity came up and Nalu Moso’s delivery was met by Bowler at the back post to give Dragons a deserved lead at the break. The second-half started as the first finished with Dragons leading proceedings. An error in the opening ten minutes gifted Dragons and Nalu Moso a chance to increase the lead and he obliged with a tidy finish.

It failed to bring the same level of play out of the Dragons as in the first period, with a lot more breaks in play and an improved performance from the home side. A sloppy bit of defending by Dragons with fifteen minutes to go allowed Hayes a potential life-line when the Muyanja was beaten by a wicked bounce as he dived for a routine save.

The growing statue of the Dragons in this league meant they were able to play out the remained of the half without any further scares whilst having the opportunities to put the result beyond doubt. A good win never the less moving Dragons to third and sets up a six pointer next week against the BA who top the table.

Muyanja, Cole, Scott, Batausol, Bowler, Mkoloma, O’Donoghue, Malone (Maxwell 70), Bangoo, Madden (Meremikwu 70), Nalu Moso.

West End 3 v 2 Kensington Dragons Firsts

With Dragons having a cup game it would seem to have come as a welcome break from the League. Though in a week when sad news related to a member of the squad was shared, a few rotational changes to the line-up proved otherwise. The condition and dimensions of a council pitch would provide another variable for the team to contest with and that’s all before the opposition.

We played this team about this time last year in the cup and the win started a very good cup run. It must be said on that day they showed good attacking abilities and they wasted no time expressing them today when in the opening couple of minutes a loose ball was latched on by the opposition and a lack of pressure ended with a shot that bounced sharply up at the keeper to nestle in the far corner.

With heads still reeling, another sloppy piece of defending by the Dragons back four, led to a corner being conceded and the result of which was an unmarked header from eight yards to put the hosts two up in ten minutes. The one good thing in all this was time, with such a long way to go in the game the opportunity to turn the game around was still there just as long as there would be a steady improvement in performance.

This would start to happen as Mkoloma stand-in skipper for the day with the rested O’Donoghue and injured Dixon, started to drive attacks from midfield bellowing to players to step-up their game. Within moments Meremikwu and Nalu Moso started to combine with improved service and constant waves of pressure were being applied and the chances to score becoming more frequent. Within all of this the goal did not come with numerous  opportunities being squandered and really no one to blame for the deficit as the game should have been at least level, this was due to the opposition missing two clear chances themselves.

With the the game still at two nil going into the second half it was still all to play for and there was a better level of intent about Dragons play in the second half. With better chances being created but still being squandered it was not looking as good as it could have but just approaching the hour mark a chance was taken with Mkoloma neatly dispatching a cut back from the right. Dragons needed to score the next goal but it was the hosts who caught them on the break away and a composed finish from the edge of the box restored the two goal advantage.

A change in personnel and formation meant the fight was sustained and a loose ball in the oppositions box from a set-piece was pounced upon by the returning Maxwell picking up were he left off from his two week break from action. Unfortunately close range misses from a number of players proved costly as an equaliser could not be found and a cup casualty from the Premier league was completed by the Division one side.

M. Mkoloma Header KDFC MCFL League Cup 2013

H. Bowler free kick KDFC MCFL League Cup

Check out the match report from the Kensington and Chelsea Chronicle courtesy of Jon Batham

KDFC Seniors 21-09-13

Kensington Dragons 1 v 0 Interwood

Dragons were aiming for back to back wins in the league for the first time this season. This would be no easy task as it would be against one of the early pace setters and more formidable sides in the league over the years.  A bright start had led to a good move down the right and Cole’s cross found Nalu Moso who was clearly fouled and the resulting penalty converted by Madden. The dominance of Dragons must have come as a surprise as another two good chances came and it should have been three in the opening ten minutes.  An injury to Humphrey which will see him out for some weeks then meant Bowler was restored to the back four. It was clear that this free scoring Interwood side would have a share of possession and so they did. With that said Hills was rarely troubled other than a six yard box scramble. It was still Dragons who created the best chances and no more than the one that fell to Cahill as the ball somehow managed to go through his legs with the goal gapping after good work from Nalu Moso. The second half was about the development of the home side and the improved resolve they have. Interwood tried their best to get back into the game but smart play from the forwards, dogged work from the midfield and solid defending from the back four who ended with a different centre back pairing to which they started, leading to the first clean sheet of the season. This will be the upset  result of the weekend and a confidence boosting win for the boys of Kensington. D.Hills, S.Cole, S.Scott, D.Humphrey, G.Batousol, L O’Donoghue, P.Bangoo, M.Mkoloma, T.Madden, G.Nalu Moso, S.Cahill Subs: H.Bowler, J.Malone, J.Dixon

Kensington Dragons 3 v 2 Hounslow Wanderers

Whilst things have been looking promising with Dragons start to the season, ultimately they will be judged on where they finish in the league. Though results will show they have not lost a game since to the current leaders on the first game of the season a collection of draws puts them in a mediocre position at best. The chance for three points had to be seized on against a Wanderers team that have had an awkward start themselves.

Dragons started well and with yet again a different back four the order of the day was to not go behind. A bright start to the match created some good openings and Bangoo’s measured shot from 25 yards unluckily rattled the bar with the keeper beaten. This only spurred the Dragons on and a ball into the box from a set-piece evaded everyone and fell kindly to Madden at the back post to rifle home the opener.

A number of opportunities came and went in the remainder of the first half but dragons failed to take them which could always come back to haunt you. With that said there was little threat on the Dragons goal and a half played to the level of the first should see a second win of the season.
With the second half underway the competitive edge of the opposition had certainly improved and the opportunities that Dragons were squandering in the first half were becoming a lot harder to come by. As predicted a swift counter raid down Dragons left hand side ended with a cross in the box and a neat finish saw the away side level. Dragons were shell shocked and did not really get to grips with conceding a goal though Mkoloma had a great chance to put Dragons level going 1v1 with the keeper only to be denied. At the other end a partially cleared corner saw a returned ball into the box and a looping header doubled the Wanderers score and goals for the striker who got it. A change for the injured MKoloma who had a header cleared off the line for Nalu Moso proved to be the turning point in the game.

Once again Dragons started to create chances and a cleaver through ball from Madden to Bangoo allowed him to do what Mkoloma could not when 1v1 with the keeper and bring the scores level. With the momentum shifted again, a penetrating run from Cahill saw his powerful ball into the box turned into the net and the lead restored. Dragons had chances to make the end of the game more comfortable with good chances at the death but the final whistle brought relief to the players’ ears that they had not surrendered the points and got their win.

J.Muyanja, B.Maxwell, D.Humphrey, G.Batasoul, S.Scott, J.Hammond, M.Mkoloma, P.Bangoo, L.O’Donoghue, T.Madden, S.Cahill Subs: S.Cole, C.Harper, G.Nalu Moso