Help! This is the last financial appeal of the season. If you enjoyed the football but have not found time to contribute, please help. As an inducement to those contributing £250 or over during the season you will be invited to the Supporters’ Reception on Wednesday 20 July. It’s fine if you cannot afford it but if you can please help – any amount, however small, is greatly appreciated. It cost around £100,000/year to run the club – pitches must be hired, equipment bought etc.. Donating remains a Delightful Experience – just click the button:

Dates for Your Diary:

Supporters’ Reception: Wednesday 20 July

Soccer School: For 9, 10 and 11 year old boys and girls on Sunday 23^rd July to Wednesday 27 July. Please email expressions of interest to: operations@kensingtondragons.com

Refereeing Course: Planned for early October 2022. Please email expressions of interest to:  operations@kensingtondragons.com . Under FA rules you need to be over 14 years old.

Our End of Season Presentations, Tournament and BBQ on Sunday were an absolute triumph of ambition over organisation.  

The Youth Tournament matches started on the near dot of 10am with teams playing three matches each against other Dragons teams.  Of particlualr note was the U10 Boys against the U11 Girls. The boys rather swaggered onto the pitch only to find the ruthless Girls push them aside to calmly score.  All the Dragons youth teams turned up in force and it was joy to watch the good natured but competitive matches  

The Presentations started 6 minutes late but a sharp increase in pace towards the middle kept the schedule to time. As the players bounced up to the podium near professional volunteer photographers recorded each presentation. There was no sign of attention flagging in the crowded room as tension mounted in anticipation of the coveted Players’ Player awards being revealed. There was near total silence as the Returning Officer strode into the packed hall to hand over the prized envelopes containing the names of the players who had received most votes from their teammates.  There was then a deafening crescendo as each name was revealed.  Finally the new Social Media Champions Awards were announced before the Dragons chant to end the Presentations.  

The BBQ was a massive success. The Mystery Chef was revealed as non other than Pepe who is known throughout the London Hotel five-star culinary world as a chef of distinction.  A particular highlight were the delicious, delectable hamburgers which one French epicurean described as “the best I have ever eaten” – praise indeed.  

The Senior Matches were great fun. With teams made up from players in their peak to others whose peak may have slipped a little the competition was fierce. It was a delight to see some of the Club’s superbly gifted First Team players marvel at the skills of supposedly retired players who clearly had not forgotten all they had learned. Added to the excitement was an All Stars Match with youth players mixing with the Coaches to take on all comers.    

All in all, it was a great day out which was made possible only by the Dragons working together as one huge team.

The last of the 2021/22 fixtures were finally played in preparation for the:

End of Season, Tournament and Awards on Sunday 12 June at LCS.

The U13 Girls beat Broomwood 8-0 away. This was a must win for the Dragons who started with the positive mental attitude sought by the Coaches to set the foundations for a thrilling victory. Digging deep, the Dragons clicked and played silky smooth football with an impressive clean sheet to match. A great end to the season.

The U11 Girls were beaten at home by Broomwood. The Dragons were missing key players so had a tough, but mostly cheerful time. Broomwood will be set back on their footballing haunches when they meet the Dragons at full strength next season.

The U10, U11 and U12 Boys played a three-way rolling Tournament, with all three sides leaving the pitch dwelling on footballing positives but also negatives to work on for next season. A very worthwhile exercise.

All other Dragons teams trained.

End of Season Tournaments, Presentations & BBQ Sunday 12 June at LCS

Kensington Dragons Results W/E 22^nd May 2022

The penultimate weekend brought a thrilling end to the league for the U14 Girls:

The U14 Girls beat Brent Schools FA 3-0 at home, guaranteeing promotion. After an incredible season with 13 wins from 16, plus Cup and tour successes, the Dragons showed how fierce they are. Determined to secure a win to finish 2^nd in the table, the Dragons displayed camaraderie and fighting spirit that exemplifies their season. An awesome and fitting end to a brilliant league campaign.

In the Grenfell Memorial Community Cup:

The Firsts narrowly lost out on reaching the Cup Final after winning two out of three group games. After back-to-back 1-0 wins against Eristars and Lancaster West United, the Dragons were eager to claim top of the group with Kensington Impact left to play. It was a hotly contested game. In an attempt to stamp his authority on the match, the fatigued referee flung a red card at a Dragon who seemed to be the victim of the foul. A goal against the Dragons ensued and Kensington Impact went through.

The U14 Boys were knocked out of the Youth Cup in the group stages. Faced with tough, well-drilled opposition in the group, the transition from 11-a-side league games to a 5-a-side tournament proved difficult. The Dragons nonetheless had a grand day out and continued to play football and enjoy the activities long after the tournament ended.

All other Youth Girls and Youth Boys teams trained.

The Blues and the Old Dragonians had no matches.

Save the Date: Whole Club End of Season Tournaments and Presentations Sunday 12 June at LCS

 Kensington Dragons Results W/E 15^th May 2022

A weekend marked by penalties as the FA Cup and Harrow Youth League Trophy alike were decided from the spot kick.

The Firsts drew 3-3 with CB Hounslow at home in their final game of the year. The Dragons started well, controlling the first half to score first. As the match progressed in the intense heat the Dragons relaxed, whilst CB Hounslow pressed to take advantage of sloppy play in the dying embers of the game to equalise.  Reviewing the season, it would be fair to say that the Dragons ended with a strong finish in the League and the Cup. The important next step is to start the 2022/23 season with practiced purpose with their Premiership position assured.

The Blues and the Old Dragonians had no games.

The U16 Girls were beaten 1-4 away at Hampstead. The Dragons were immediately at a disadvantage from missing some players, the deficit was made worse at half time due to players suffering from queasiness in the hot Saturday sun. The Dragons gave it their all but with another player down the challenge was too large. The Coach vows the Dragons will be “bigger and better next season,” .

The U14 Girls won 3-2 away at Ickenham. In the penultimate game of the season, the Dragons showed their usual high standard of heart, determination, and desire to win. The Dragons worked hard especially in the second half to retain their lead and have one more game to end a brilliant season.

The U13 Girls were beaten away by Actonians. If there was ever a game of two halves, this was it. In the first half the opposition had the privilege of fielding some of their brutish U14s and this was reflected in the unfavourable score line. However! In the second half the Dragons showed true grit with surprising organisation despite the score. The Dragons held their opponents 0-0 in the second half and won a deserved pat on their collective backs.

The U12 Girls and U11 Girls had no matches.

The U16, U14, U12 and U11 Boys had no games.

The U15 Boys lost at home to Kodak, ending hopes of reaching the League Trophy Cup Final. Kodak were a formidable opponent having only lost one match all season in the division above. The match proved even handed but with Kodak having the edge when presented with an opportunity to score. The Dragons have improved immeasurably over the season and will be promoted to chase Kodak up the rankings.

The U13 Boys just lost out on penalties away at Brook House in the League Trophy Semi Final. Another game of 2 halves where initially the Dragons were shaky and conceded midway through the first. In the second the Dragons composed themselves and equalised shortly after the break. With the final score 1-1, the contest went to penalties which the Dragons lost 2-3. Despite heartbreak, the Coaches are immensely proud of the boys for their unbeaten Trophy run of 8 wins and 2 draws.

The U10 Boys trained.

A marvellous, energetic weekend of Cup fixtures to make the Dragons proud:

The Firsts drew 2-2 at full time before then losing on penalties in a closely fought Premiership Cup Final against Clapton CFC. 

The Dragons immediately went 1 up after a coolly taken penalty and then controlled the game, finding space in the Clapton flanks to cause them problems. It was a similar story after the break as the Dragons netted shortly from a cross into the box which was neatly finished by the Dragons Captain to leave them 2-0 up. Victory was surely in their grasp! Injuries then lead to long pauses which allowed Clapton time to regroup and get back into the game – they scored first from a penalty and then from a glancing header –  all within 8 minutes. It was 2-2 at the final whistle and straight onto to penalties. Quite how the Dragons managed to let victory slip away when they controlled the match from the start will be the subject for historians to debate for years to come.  It was nevertheless an exciting fun day out in glorious sunshine for the hoards of Dragons fans who watched their team play quality, direct football that all the young Dragons watching can aspire to.

The U11 and U12 Boys had no matches.

The U13 Boys beat Pinnstars 8-1 at home to reach the Semi Finals of the League Trophy Cup. The Dragons were the superior side by far and were clinical in front of goal as their end of season form withstood Quarter Final nerves. Whilst not a true test of their quality, the Dragons had to stay focused to be sure to get the result they expected. Tougher challenges lie ahead as the Semi Finals loom!

The U14 Boys had no game.

The U15 Boys beat Brook House 5-1 away in the League Trophy Cup to also reach the Semi Finals.  As the Dragons players haphazardly searched the wilds of outer London to find the pitch, their fans searched anxiously for them as they emerged over various horizons. To compound a sense of footballing doom, the Dragons had not played a competitive match for months. The minute the whistle blew however the Dragons stiffened their sinews and snapped into action to run circles around the good-natured Brook House who accepted their drubbing with sportsmanlike humour. 

The U16 Boys were beaten 0-4 away by St Josephs in the QF of the League Trophy Cup. The Dragons drew a tough draw, coming up against St Josephs who are 2nd in the Premier Division. Two mistakes in the first half contributed to a 0-3 deficit at half time. The Dragons played a much better second half but were unable to get on the score sheet. When reflecting on the season, it is clear how much stronger the Dragons ended compared to the start. They expect a very strong 2022/23. 

The U10 Boys trained.

The U16 Girls had no game.

The U14 Girls were awarded an automatic home win against Ickenham who couldn’t field a side.

The U13 Girls were beaten 1-4 away at Most Wanted Elite. The Dragons were by far the better side in the first half with most of the game going down the right-hand side. It was 1-1 at half time with all to play for but after a good start, the Dragons ran out of steam as Most Wanted took advantage of tired legs.

The U12 and U11 Girls had no games.

Reminder!
Saturday 21st May: The Grenfell Memorial Cup at QPR’s Loftus Road
Senior and Youth Dragons will be taking part in this footballing memorial event. Tickets are free, more information to follow. See here: https://kensingtondragons.com/upcoming-events/

Kensington Dragons FC v Clapton Community FC Premiership Cup Final

Sunday 8^th May – Kick Off 3:00 PM at the Honeycroft Stadium, Horton Road, West Drayton Middlesex UB7 8HX

Our First Team has battled through to the Final and needs your encouragement to win. So far, we have 120 Dragons coming but need more.  

Tickets: £5 for adults at the ground – children free. If any Youth Dragon is charged the Club will reimburse them.  

The Final is being played at Uxbridge FC’s Honeycroft Stadium:

By Road: Use Sat Nav to get to Horton Road, UB7 8HX then past the warehouses at Prologis Park West London and turn right into a Private Road (Signposted Uxbridge Football Club) opposite the Space Station Self Storage Unit. Follow the Private Road to the Football Club Car Park.

By Rail: Alight at West Drayton Station and Honeycroft is approximately a 1-mile walk (20 minutes) along West Drayton High Street and Horton Road, Alternatively take the 350 bus from West Drayton Station to the bus stop called Horton Close and walk the remainder.

By Tube: Alight at Uxbridge Tube Station on the Metropolitan Line and turn right once through the ticket barrier to enter the Bus Station. From the Station you can either take the U5 or A10 to the bus stop called Iron Bridge Road in Horton Road and walk the remaining 1/2 mile (10 minutes) to the ground.

Excitement mounts ahead of the Premiership Division Cup Final:

The Dragons First Team v Clapton Community FC
Sunday 8^th May – Kick Off 3:00 PM
Honeycroft Stadium, Horton Road, West Drayton Middlesex UB7 8HX
For advance tickets email: operations@kensingtondragons.com. Tickets also at the turnstile. Now to this weekend’s action:

The U16 Boys played a friendly against the U15 Boys in preparation for their respective upcoming quarter final matches in the Trophy Cup

The U14 Boys had no game.

The U13 Boys beat Harrow St Marys 3-2 at home in the League Trophy Cup. The Dragons started slowly and were punished, going into half time 0-2 down. In the second half, the Dragons roared into life and scored immediately to half their goal deficit before battling to equalise. As the minutes ticked by the Dragons pushed for a winner, and the high risk paid off as a third goal from their striker sent the Dragons into the Quarter Finals.

The U12 Boys and the U11 Boys had no matches.

The U10 Boys trained.

The U16 Girls did not play.

The U14 Girls were just beaten 1-3 away by Vicky Park Rangers. An intense game from the start with all to play for. The Dragons at times displayed good football, however mistakes gave Vicky Park the advantage. Despite not getting the result they wanted, this game doesn’t define the Dragons and what they are capable of – the squad will come back stronger and more determined than ever.

The U13 Girls beat Broomwood 3-2 at home. In a very evenly matched game, the Dragons just had the upper hand by half time and went into the break with a 1-0 lead. Broomwood then came out fighting but the Dragons kept their discipline, shape and movement to earn a well-deserved win.

The U12 Girls and the U11 Girls had no games.

The Firsts trained in preparation for their upcoming Cup Final

The Blues were narrowly beaten 1-2 at home by Ickenham. In this final game of the season the Dragons take positives into next season. The young Dragons took a deserved lead through a 25-yard strike which left the keeper stationary, only for Ickenham to equalise 5 minutes before the break. The 2nd period was an even affair which hinged on a Dragons sin bin with 8 minutes to play. Ickenham scored in injury time and went top of the table. The performance shows just how good this Blues team can be.

The Old Dragonians just lost 1-2 at home to Larkspur Rovers. The Old Ds completed their inaugural season in the MCFL Sunday league. This game was a microcosm of the season as a whole: competitive in all fixtures but just coming up short with the final result. A fine goal by the Dragons attacker gave the Old Ds an early lead only for Larkspur to equalise and score an 88th min penalty. The team has developed greatly over the season and look forward to further progression.

The end of the season is in sight but with much excitement to come:

The Firsts beat AVA 2-0 away. This was an important and well-deserved victory which saw the Dragons put into practice their positive game plan. The Dragons fought hard to dominate AVA and keep a crucial clean sheet, despite a poor referee. All in good preparation for the upcoming Premier Division Cup Final v Clapton Community on May 8^th at 3pm in the Honeycroft Stadium, Horton Road, Middlesex UB7 8HX. Email operations@kensingtondragons.com for advance tickets.

The Blues lost to Hillingdon Abbots. A difficult fixture for the Dragons against Hillingdon, the division’s leaders and likely contenders for promotion. The Dragons had moments of brilliance to build on, with their final game of the season this coming Saturday – against the other title contender, Ickenham. 

The Old Dragonians had no game.

The U16 Girls had no game.

The U14 Girls beat Hearts of Teddlothian 7-1 away. This was a good performance from the Dragons  who looked dangerous in possession. There were long spells of great play as the Dragons passing, decision-making and sharpness overcame Hearts who barely caught a break with and without the ball. To cap the success a Dragons forward reached 50 goals in a single season – possibly a Club record.

The U13 Girls drew 2-2 to AFC Leyton at home. The Dragons found themselves evenly matched with Leyton. Extraordinarily, the game was battled out around the pitch perimeter, leading to corner kicks that resulted in all four of the game’s goals! A draw was a fair result.

The U12 Girls were narrowly beaten 0-2 away by Alexandra Park. The Dragons had a very strong second half against a well-balanced opposition. Unfortunately, one early goal as the Dragons were finding their gears, and an own goal, tipped the result in AP’s favour.

The U11 Girls just lost 2-4 against Islington Borough at home. Despite the deceptive score line, the Dragons had an excellent start and were 2-0 up at half time. The second half was a lot tougher, playing against the gradient and wind. The Dragons performance was a great improvement from their last game as they made IB work hard right to the end.

The U16, U15, U14 Boys had no matches.

The U13 Boys beat Forest United 3-0 ‘away’. This was an away game played at St Marks as Forest did not have a pitch. The Dragons played good, patient football as they tried to break their opponent down. The breakthrough came just before halftime with a De Bruyne-esque through ball from midfield to make it 1-0.. The second half was much the same with two more goals – one from the penalty spot.

The U12 Boys lost 0-3 away to LPOSSA. Although oppressed at times the Dragons kept heart – they both defended and attacked relentlessly throughout the match and opportunities went begging. Confidence in the referee wilted as the linesman’s flag was ignored for LPOSSA offsides – such is football.

The U11 Boys had no match and the U10 Boys trained.

Almost all Dragons rested over the Easter Weekend, with only the Firsts donning their well-used shin pads and boots.

The Firsts were just beaten 0-1 away by Clapton Community FC. Much like the hotly anticipated Liverpool v Man City league and FA Cup clashes, the Dragons were up against Clapton in the League first before they meet again in the Premier Division Cup Final on the 8th May. This time, Clapton scored the only goal to steal a win but did not gain the psychological edge. The Firsts keep working hard with the end of the season in sight.

Important Dates for your Diary:

Sunday 8^th May: Premier Division Cup Final – Kensington Dragons Firsts v Clapton Community FC
KO 3pm at the Honeycroft Stadium, Horton Road, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 8HX . For advance tickets please email operations@kensingtondragons.com.

Saturday 21^st May: The Grenfell Memorial Cup at QPR’s Loftus Road
The Firsts, and some Youth Dragons, will be taking part in this footballing event to commemorate the tragedy. Tickets are free, more information to follow.