Category: Senior Reserve Team

The Reserves beat Brentham 5-4 at Wormwood Scrubs

Kensington Dragons Reserves 5 – 4 Brentham Reserves

With the team salivating at the prospect of playing their football on the main pitch at Linford Christie Stadium, they had to contend with the pitfalls of the Scrubs surface while their new home pitch was being watered, fed and rolled.

New coach Martin Rusiecki joined Manager Jon Laycock in putting the side together and having all the squad well drilled into their 3-5-2 system. That squad included youth players from 4 previous seasons with Lamelle Williams and Andrew Scheck being re-dragoned after a 2 year absence, the former having a crucial role to play in grabbing the 3 points. With an average age of 20, the signs are very positive for the future as they made up the best reserve team line up in Dragon’s 6 year history.

From the off they looked the stronger outfit and once a few nerves settled they began to create numerous chances. Williams at right wing back was linking well with new recruits Josiah Johnson and Ben Ravenwood, playing in an unfamiliar number 10 role. Pressure produced a few corners and on the third attempt, Captain Adam Finch pinged in a beauty for Williams to rise like the proverbial salmon and thump his header into the corner. It was 2-0 shortly after, Johnson winning a deserved penalty, Finch tucking away the rebound from the keeper’s save from the spot kick. However on Brentham’s first break they scored with some sloppy team defending. The Dragons continued to push and should have scored 3 before half time, Williams finally finding the net with a cool finish from a superb Ravenwood slotted ball. HT 3-1

In the first 5 minutes of the second half, the Dragons would have been better finishing their oranges on the sidelines as they somehow managed to let 2 goals in from nowhere, the second a handball and penalty and 2 dreadfully bad failed clearances created the equaliser. So 3-3 and time to see if the new look team had some gumption. After a frenetic 15 minutes they re-took the lead, Williams grabbing his hatrick with a stunning rifled shot after another mazy run from deep. The game seemed over with 15 minutes left, Johnson getting his deserved goal with a super flick header from a set piece delivery. But it wasnt, and Brentham scored again from some more awful clearance attempts. With the Dragons unsure whether to press for a decider or sit on the one goal lead the game became quite tense but with some better defending they held on and bagged 3 early season points.

1st Team secure promotion!

We were informed last week by MCFL that the First Team have been granted promotion to the Premier Divison at Step 7 in the FA League System.

Well done to all involved.

The Season will begin 17th August 2013 with Saturday and mid-week games.

Reserves lose tough tie at St Lawrence

St Lawrence 4 v 1 Kensington Dragons Reserves

For the second time this season, the Dragons arrived looking forward to playing weaker opposition in bottom of table St Lawrence only to find their first team game had been cancelled due to their own bad organisation, allowing them to fill their side with Div 1 players. With numerous injuries after two cup runs the Dragons fielded four 17 year old debutants and an average age of just 18.

It was clear from the off that they were in for a tougher experience than an assumed confidence building match where the result was never the priority. However, the key man in this game was a referee in a world of his own. Being assessed from the sidelines he decided to take a headmaster approach from the off. His first error was to punish the Dragons captain with a free-kick when he himself had been challenged late. Of course, as the afternoon had begun, it continued and St Lawrence scored from the set piece. Dragons most experienced player then limped off injured and while down to 10 conceded again.

They were also causing some trouble though with Shegun Beckley in the thick of it and he himself drove into the box and won a stone wall penalty. Captain Adam Finch put the spot kick away. Kieran Cox had been replaced by player manager Laycock at the back but he got caught out having not warmed up and the powerful striker drove past him wide to cross for the home sides third.

The second half was a dour and niggly affair, again the referee punishing the youthful Dragons at every opportunity and booking three players in the process who were struggling to keep quiet in the face of some dreadful officiating. They rarely created but defended well until the veteran forward blasted in from 30 yards to finish the scoring off.

Even the home management were apologetic and sympathetic on both the team they fielded and the one sided officiating that seemed to take place. Not the following week from a cup final that the club wanted but the Reserves move on and look to gain 6-9 points in their last 3 tough away games.

Kensington Dragons MCFL Junior Open Cup Champions 2012-13

Results Round-Up 28 April 2013

Fellow Cup Winning Dragons

The Reserves BEAT Broadfields 1-0 to WIN the MCFL CUP at Uxbridge FC in front of packed stands. The Dragons had a plan – playing a 3-5-2 formation to surprise Broadfields and support their recent faltering attack. Would the youthful Dragons, with the occasional veteran, remember the cunning plan? Certainly the Dragons created scoring opportunities whilst limiting Broadfields to long pot shots before near disaster struck as the Dragons lost their midfield captain through injury to leave it 0-0 at half time. On 60 minutes a lung bursting run lead to a square ball back to the onrushing Dragon veteran striker who finished calmly to make it 1-0. A great team goal but could the Dragons take it to the end? The game was now frenetic and then unbelievably the Dragons lost another key player with a nasty ankle turn. Despite the Dragons back 3 now being all under 19 they coped brilliantly with their superb goalie mopping up behind. As Broadfields pushed on the Dragons were looking sharp on the break but Broadfields just kept coming, desperate to equalise. Into injury time and it was now kitchen sink o’clock for Broadfields as they endlessly won cheap free kicks. In the final 10 seconds the biggest aerial goal mouth scramble ensued with the whistle in the referee’s mouth. The Dragons keeper half cleared with a punch, the out of position Broadfield’s keeper headed it back, another scuffed clearance and the ball headed for the net until it was hooked clear one final time. The referee pursed his young lips and the Dragons were MCFL Cup Champions – if just by the skin of their collective teeth. The players were exhausted; the fans more so.

The Firsts beat Saracens 3-1 at Osterley to further their prospects of promotion to the premiership. There are now a handful of tough games left which will decide who goes up …..and who stays put.

The U17’s beat Bessingby Park Rangers 3-2 at Birbeck. Courtesy and good manners are not the first words that spring to mind when considering Bessingby. The Dragons toiled under the sun gifting the disgruntled Bessingby a couple of goals to leave the scores level at half-time. Despite injury to the Dragons goalie it looked like the Dragons were going to pull away as they scored an early goal. Bessingby however raised their game to equalise but it was to be the Dragons day as they pummelled home their third and winning goal. Bessingby sulked their way off the pitch back to wherever such behaviour is the norm.

The U15’s beat Belmont 4-1 at Birbeck. This was another typical Dragons game – except that it was not raining. The Dragons had a full squad of talented players with a welcome sprinkling of parents watching them play exhibition football without actually scoring much. As Belmont’s coach showed signs of increasing bad temper the Dragons passed, twirled and practiced their kick ups against the hard working Belmont side. Finally one of the more gifted, but often laid back, Dragons players was allowed on the pitch to demonstrate how goals are actually scored at the end of controlled build ups – by ruthless calm precision in front of goal to convincingly win the match.

The U14 Nighthawks lost 1-4 to Forest United, the second bottom team in the division. The Dragons played well with just 1 sub but Forest were hungrier and had 5 subs. Some have commentated that the Anno Horribilis continues but others would suggest that learning to lose is the first step in developing the resilience to win except their Latin is rusty.

The U14 Eagles had no match but watched reruns of their top 100 goals instead.

The U13’s lost 0-2 to Hillingdon. The Dragons were forced into making several positional changes due to players being unavailable and a re-arranged defence was caught out in the first 5 minutes as a Hillingdon midfielder got to the by line and crossed the ball low; the Dragons keeper tried to cut it out but could only parry the ball into the path of a Hillingdon striker who converted. The Dragons began to control the game midway through the first half as their passing game began to excel and they created a couple of good chances but failed to convert. Only the cross bar prevented the Dragons from equalising from a great shot from their striker. The second half was much of the same with the Dragons having the possession for most of the half except a Hillingdon counter attack caught out the Dragons defence to lead to a 1 on 1 with the keeper and a goal to clinch the win for Hillingdon.

The U11’s lost 2-4 to Wealdstone. The full squad of Dragons were raring to go on the beautiful Sunday morning at St Marks. The game started at a fast pace with Wealdstone on the attack and the Dragons on the back foot giving Wealdstone an early goal. The Dragons regained their competitiveness and started to play some exciting football, moving the ball around the pitch with precision passing but were caught by a Wealdstone counter attack to go down 0-2. The Dragons then had two goals disallowed, one from a poor refereeing decision. The Dragons refused to be downhearted and kept up the pressure to make it 1-2 at half time. Wealdstone then scored a further two early goals prompting the Dragons coaches to make the three substitutions which had an immediate impact with a superbly executed goal. The Dragons were now finding their feet but alas time was against them and they were caught by the final whistle.

An ever increasing number of cheerful U10’s trained.

The Girls had their biggest turn out to date at their Friday training session.

Reserves triumph in MCFL Open Cup final

Kensington Dragons Reserves 1 v 0 Broadfields Reserves

The Reserves beat Broadfields United 1-0 at Uxbridge Football Club to win the first Reserves silverware since the club began!

Having lost a cup final last week, been hammered by Southall in the league on saturday and facing a team they had lost to on their previous six meetings, the Dragons backs were firmly against the wall. After a roller coaster of a season the question was could they raise themselves one last time to get a second 2013 club trophy in the bank? With a bus load of Dragons fans they certainly knew the whole club was behind them.

The answer would only come in injury time but with a strong looking squad the pre-game feelings were all very positive having learned some key lessons in their final defeat last week. The management decided to switch to a 3-5-2 to spring a surprise on Broadfields while giving more support to a faltering attack of late. After a few minutes settling into the new shape, they began to slowly open up the Broadfields defence. James Shirley, at the central point of the 3 at the back was leading by example and with Luke Giles and Adam Finch controlling things in midfield the two wing backs were pushing on and causing havoc. Jack Lyons, responding to some heavy criticism in recent weeks, was cutting Broadfields apart down the right. He fed striker Jon Laycock after 20 minutes who in turn put in his new striking partner Steve Cahill. He drove into the box but the keeper saved his well hit effort superbly. Ethan Meyers, on the left flank was also pushing on and linking with Giles beautifully. But the second chance again fell to Cahill, taking a lovely touch with his back to goal and firing a swivelled shot that the keeper again saved well. However, after losing key players in last weeks final again they lost a key man in captain Dean Humphrey who was just starting to take control in the hole. Reiss Corr came on and the team needed a performance out of one of their youngest Dragons. A couple of half chances came and went but at half time it was 0-0, Broadfields being limited only to long pot shots at the excellent, as always, Joseph Muyanja.

The management team were happy with the performance, Tony Smith and Miguel De Souza only asking a few extra tactical additions as well as to be brave and push on for the goal. After a poor opening 5 minutes suddenly they burst into life, Giles and Finch dominating in midfield and putting in crunching tackles along with great build up play. On 60 minutes finally they got the break through. Finch laid the ball off to Laycock who span and released Corr down the left. His lung bursting run took him into the box and then showed immense composure to square the ball back to the onrushing Laycock who opened up his body to finish calmly into the far corner, the out of form striker’s first goal in 8 games. A great team goal but could they take it to the end or grab the killer second? The fans were driving them on, incredibly loud and passionate songs heard by all the players. The game was now end to end, and then unbelievably the Dragons lost another key player in the superb James Shirley. His nasty ankle turn brought another 18 year old on in Shegun Beckley. The back 3, all under 19 now, were reshuffled and they were coping brilliantly with Muyanja mopping up everything when needed. As Broadfields pushed on the Dragons were now looking sharp on the break. Laycock fed Cahill in behind but again found the keeper saving well. Lyons then drifted a beautiful cross in for Laycock at the far post but he headed tamely to the keeper with the goal at his mercy. Into the last 15 minutes and the Dragons began to sit deeper and deeper. Finch was now in full flow and all over the pitch while communicating superbly to his younger team mates around him. But Broadfields kept coming, and the back three in Will Conway , Meyers and Ade Akeredolu had to be at their very best to restrain the opposition forward line, Akerdolu standing out while marking the Broadfields excellent winger. Director of Football Smith then went to a 4-4-2, allowing a bit more defensive shape…. could they hold on?

Into injury time and it was now kitchen sink o’clock for the opposition, endlessly winning cheap free kicks. The keeper was now up for set pieces and in the final 10 seconds the biggest aerial goal mouth scramble ensued with the whistle in the referees mouth. Muyanja half cleared with a punch, the United keeper returning it with his head, another scuffed clearance and the ball headed for the net until Man of the Match Finch hooked it clear one final time. The referee pursed his young lips and The Dragons were MCFL county Champions, if just by the skin of their teeth.

Kensington Dragons Reserves, 2013 MCFL Junior Open Cup Champions!

Matchwinner Jon Laycock Kensington Dragons

Reserves lose away to Southall

Southall FC Reserves 4 v 0 Kensington Dragons Reserves

The Reserves lost 4-0 away to probable League Champions Southall FC, also at Feltham FC.

The last thing the Dragons needed now was to face an away game to the league leaders 65 hours after the galling final defeat, the whole team either carrying knocks or sore from the extra time exploits. Worse than that was they were also playing at Feltham FC again, as if to rub a very big pinch of salt into their open wounds.

Southall, an excellent Combined Counties reserve side, looked like they wanted Dragons blood from the off. However it took a dodgy penalty mid first to take the lead but just before HT they scored a very good goal from the left to make it 2-0. The Dragons had fought so hard again and once more had had their chances, Xavi Navarro the stand out player. They continued the fight in the second half but as tiredness and more injuries set in Southall scored twice more in the closing stages to win comfortably and deservedly.

So the Reserves now have a week to freshen up for a final chance of silverware. Unsurprisingly though, given these Dragon’s hearts, they are still in great spirits and ready to bring the club a trophy home come Saturday.

Kensington Dragons Reserves vs Broadfield United Reserves. MCFL Junior Open Cup Final. 7.45 Kick off Uxbridge Football Club.

Reserves miss their chance in MCFA Final

Barnet MO First 3 v 1 Kensington Dragons Reserves

The Reserves lost in the MFCA Junior Trophy Final 1-3 AET against Barnet MO firsts.. (1-1 90 mins) (at Feltham FC)

The Dragons fell at the last hurdle of a great cup campaign and left them with just the one chance of silverware next week in the MCFL Junior Open final.

They arrived in great spirits and well prepared however having lost key forward George Mariner the previous night to injury the attacking line had been weakened somewhat. The Dragons fans arrived in droves though and they still very much fancied their chances from the off.

A hectic start provided end to end football from the off with the Dragons creating the better chances, James Shirley played in Luke Giles who took a beautiful touch to race clear and his lobbed effort caught the wind and grazed the bar. Shortly after Barnet took the lead. Dean Humphrey and Kieran Cox got caught a little flat at the back and the winger cut in and scuffed a shot, which very unluckily hit Ade Akerdolu on the cover and left keeper Ian Whitmore wrong footed, the ball slowly rolling into the corner. The Dragons responded quickly, Giles turned provider and put in wideman Jack Lyons. The nippy winger rounded the keeper beautifully but with the empty goal beckoning lost his balance and fluffed his lines. This seemed to give Barnet more confidence and put the Dragons on the back foot. They began to build well down the left playing some very good football in the last 15 minutes of the half but the Dragons made it to the break unlucky to be a goal down. Director of Football Tony Smith and First Team Manager Miguel De Souza had seen the problem late in the first half and insisted that the back line pushed higher up the pitch to allow the midfield to be closer to the front line. As the second half began it was clear that the change was working with the Dragons totally dominant from the off. Shirley and Giles were immense in midfield with Adam Finch also building the play nicely. Chances came and went, the best of which fell to Lyons again. Striker Jon Laycock bounded down the left after great work from Hassan Osman and his cutback was beautifully turned on by Giles for Lyons. However with just the last defender to beat and the keeper rushing back his tame effort was cleared for a corner. From the corner the ball found its way to Laycock but the forward’s well struck shot just cleared the bar from 15 yards. The Dragons were now totally dominant but with 15 minutes left time was running out. Finch was replaced by Will Conway and Lyons by Reiss Corr. Osman then played in Laycock again down the left, the striker took an excellent touch to get the ball in front of him and as he went for the next touch in the box the otherwise excellent centre back brought him down, the Dragons relieved to see the ref point to the spot. The ever reliable Humphrey, having never missed a Dragons penalty, stepped up but the keeper claimed to the ref the ball had moved on the wind. The midfield man had to reset the ball and changed his mind…. and frustratingly blasted over from 12 yards.

However if one thing has been learned this season the Reserves do not lack heart. Steve Cahill, who caused Barnet problems throughout, pinged in a wicked free kick and 17 year old right back Akerdolu lept acrobatically to bicycle kick into the top corner. An amazing bit of technique and the Dragons finally had their deserved equaliser. However the experienced Humphrey, having a great game other than the penalty miss, had to come off with 5 minutes left and suddenly the Dragons looked a very young and inexperienced side. As veteran Laycock pleaded for cool heads amazingly they did the opposite. The left winger got into the box and Akerdolu went to ground too late and unbelievably Barnet had a pen of their own in stoppage time. However the captain hit the exact same penalty as Humphrey, the ball flying over the bar and for the first time that night things seemed to be going the Dragons way. 1-1 FT

The problem now was after giving everything to try and win the game in 90 the team looked tired, Shirley and Osman were suffering from cramp, Laycock with heavy blisters and having lost 3 experienced starters the average age of the team was now around 19. Could they give one final push to win the tie? The answer was no sadly. All of a sudden with the calm heads on the bench wounded, the young Dragons played the occasion and not the extra time period, too often jumping in when standing off was needed. They scraped through the first period but late in the second a long ball was headed safely to keeper Whitmore with Will Conway covering their striker. However the two got confused and Whitmore had to dive in as the striker pressed. He palmed it away but took out Conway in the process and left the striker with an empty net to fire Barnet back in to the lead. As they pushed on the tired back line’s legs got punished by the captain, desperate to make up for his penalty miss, driving across the penalty box and firing a deflected shot into the corner and the game was over. Barnet had 2 shots on target in 120 minutes and scored 3 goals, the Dragons could only look back on 10-12 guilt edge chances that they failed to take and went home with a runners up medal instead of cup celebrations.

Results Round-Up 10 April 2013

Fellow Cup Winners

The Firsts WON the Middlesex County Cup on Wednesday night under floodlights by beating NPL 2-1. A fantastic achievement. The first half was tentative and tough with the Dragons giving away an own goal before the break. The second half was a different affair with the Dragons playing good controlled competitive football in the rain to go one up via a penalty and then 15 minutes from the end a tremendous shot from the right 25 yards out sealed the win. We are simply the best.

At the weekend the sun finally shone to cheer up the irrepressible Dragons:

The Reserves drew 0-0 with table toppers Stedfast before going on to win 3-2 on penalties to reach the MCFL Junior Open Cup Final on April 27th. With a solid spine through the centre the Dragons started superbly and created opportunities but at half time it was still 0-0. The second half was an even affair and often end to end. As the clock ticked it seemed inevitable that it would be Extra Time and indeed it was. It was clear that Stedfast were physically spent and the Dragons dominated the extra 30 minutes but again could not score and it was onto penalties. As events unfolded it dawned on the Dragons that the result was down to the Dragons keeper being left to face 2 pens and take his own! With the Dragons nerves shredded the goalie put his gloves back on, returned to the goal and leaped majestically left to palm away the last penalty and the celebrations began. The Dragons had won and were through to the Final on 27 April having already reached another Cup Final on 17 April!

The Firsts drew 2-2 with Hillingdon away and then generously lost in extra time against Hillingdon as they prepared for the Cup Final on Wednesday

The U17’s had no game

The U15’s beat Brunswick away 2-0 in the first leg of a double header and then drew 1-1 in the second leg. With a reduced squad the Dragons played their customary game of good passing football without actually slamming the ball in the opposition’s net quite as much as they deserved. Calm ruthlessness in front of goal is all that is needed to turn the side into League and Cup winners.

The U14 Eagles beat St Joseph’s 5-2 at St Marks. Only as the Premier League entered its post-Easter climax were the Eagles finally able to re-start their own campaign after poor weather and the Easter break. St Joseph’s were not going to let the Dragons ease back into their stride – they were well-organised and proved even stronger than the last time the sides met. This was just the kind of challenge the Dragons needed. It was a performance from the top-drawer, with every Eagle pulling together to provide the platform for another man-of-the-match hat-trick from their tireless striker, not to mention two eye-catching strikes from their jinking midfield maestro whose dazzling footwork kept the crowd heartily entertained. To quote the Manager “our appetite is back!” The Dragons are hungry for more but will the weather, and all the other vagaries of this frustrating season, let us satisfy it?”

The U14 Nighthawks had no game

The U13’s at St Marks lost 1 to “quite a lot” against the run away league leaders Pinner United. It all started so well with the Dragons looking like they were the ones who should have been top of the table. They took the lead with the Dragons left midfielder weaving passed three defenders, passing to his midfield chum who had made the right run to calmly control the ball before smashing it into the net. Pinner then made the Dragons pay and with some defensive and keeper errors they clinically punished the home side. Pinner simply proved to be too good on the day.

The U11’s were awarded 6 points as Brentham Colts defaulted in the scheduled double header

The U10’s started training again after the Easter break and look forward to their match against the Spanish School

The Girls started training again after the Easter break looking forward to more tournament success

First Team Win MCFA Junior Cup

Kensington Dragons 2 v 1 NPL

The first of three finals in the Dragons Senior section began with the First Team vying for their first trophy in three years. Going out of the only other cup competition they were in meant this chance could not be spurned. Just as the teams were about to kick off the rain added another variable for both teams to contest with. Dragons started off well but for all the good possession, did not produce any shots at goal. The opposition took the small opportunities to push forward and were able to create set-piece opportunities. From one of these a corner was only half cleared and the returning cross was diverted into the net by a Dragons player and gave NPL the lead. The rhythm in the Dragons game had gone and NPL looked more likely to add to their lead. A slight tweak in the formation of the Dragons allowed them to finish the half on a positive note but with it all to do in the second half.

Knowing that an improved level of performance would be required to get back into the game Dragons set about the task in determined fashion. With more shots on at goal in the first fifteen minutes of this half than produced in the whole of the first half, Dragons showed their intent. A corner created from the ongoing pressure, lead to a stab at goal which was judged by the referee to be handled. Tom Madden stepped up in cool fashion as he has done all season to bring Dragons back to parity. With momentum significantly shifted in Dragons favour the pressure intensified and as the ball broke infield to Malone 25 yards out a strike at goal was all he was thinking and a great strike it was skimming across the turf and in off the post with the keeper helpless.

The final period of the game came down to some resolute defending from Dragons to repel any hope of NPL getting back into the game with the best chance coming from a Nalu Moso chip cleared off the line.

A well earned victory in testing conditions with little time to celebrate as the aim for promotion continues in three days. Congratulations to the team and may the Reserve team follow suit in their two finals.

MCFA Junior Cup Winners Kensington Dragons 2012-13

Reserves book another cup final place in dramatic style

The Reserves beat Division 2 table toppers Stedfast 3-2 on penalties (0-0 AET) to reach the MCFL Junior Open Cup Final, to be held on April 27th.

The Dragons arrived to an unfamiliar warm welcome at Osterley having been promoted to the senior pitch and changing rooms for their second semi of the season. This combined with the beautiful spring afternoon lead to a hugely positive atmosphere in the dressing room pre match, the Dragons focused but also relaxed with one county cup final already in the bank.

With a solid spine through the centre of the team the Dragons started superbly, From the kick off the No 9 Jon Laycock chased down a back pass to the keeper who slammed the clearance at him with the ball looping on to the bar. They pressed further, Luke Giles and James Shirley getting the better of their opposing midfield in the early exchanges to give the Dragons the platform they needed. From the right, Reiss Corr slowly began to get involved and a flick from Laycock got him in one on one but the lobbed effort fell short and the keeper snaffled it up. A few minutes later he was in again after a terrific ball from Giles, this time he composed himself to run in on goal and sent the keeper one way and hit his shot the other but the effort rebounded off a post and was safely cleared. However the clearest opportunity fell to Laycock, the keeper dropping a cross, the striker swivelled to fire into the empty net but his scuffed shot only made it to the goal line when cleared by a desperate defender. Stedfast occasionally threatened but the re-jigged back 4 coped well and keeper Joseph Muyanja’s skills were left for later. HT 0-0

The second half was an even affair and often end to end, however the Dragons always looked the more likely and winger Jack Lyons made a mazy run through the penalty area but his shot was blocked well. In his new Number 10 role, Dean Humphrey was now well in the game too and coming out on top of his battle with his very physical and competent opposing midfielder. With Stedfast now causing a few problems, step forward 2 super centre backs and 2 substitute full backs. Kieran Cox and 17 year old Ade Akerdolu were on immense form in clearing, tackling, heading, you name it they did the stuff. Fullbacks Justas Krisciunas and Romone Bedeau fought like tigers and often covered as the last man to great effect. As the clock ticked down it seemed inevitable that it would be extra time and indeed it was.

Suddenly it was clear that Stedfast were spent physically and the Dragons dominated the extra 30 minutes. 10 minutes in and Steve Cahill drove down the left and drew his center back, Laycock screamed for a square ball and Cahill delivered perfectly. However, lacking confidence, Laycock’s touch was heavy and the keeper closed down the angle and saved. That was the striker’s last contribution with the returning Shegun Beckley on to give a little extra pace as Stedfast tired. He caused trouble from the outset but with a bit of rustiness failed to break the deadlock. AET 0-0

Director of Football Smith and Manager Laycock picked their penalty takers carefully, going for the ones who really fancied it, one being keeper Muyanja. Captain Humphrey stepped up and smashed home, followed by a breathtaking tip round the post from the Dragons Numero uno. Giles made it 2, sending the keeper the wrong way before Stedfast got off the mark. 2-1. Cahill then slotted home number three and when Muyanja saved again the dragons were left needing one save or one score from 4 pens. The otherwise excellent Shirley scuffed one wide and suddenly it dawned on the rest of the Dragons that it was now all about Joseph Muyanja, left to face 2 pens and take his own! He failed to save the next for 3-2 but then with gloves off missed his own and the 2nd chance to kill the tie. With Dragons nerves shredded he put the gloves back on and returned to the goal, leaping majestically to the left to palm away the last penalty and the celebrations began. FT 3-2 on pens (0-0 AET).