Brook House B 2 v 0 Kensington Dragons Eagles

Here’s a question for all Eagles fans to ponder: is our third loss in a row a sign of crisis or simply one of the great mysteries of our time? The result certainly doesn’t look good on paper. But on the pitch ­well, the form that gave us a run of six scintillating wins in October and November was still there for all to see. Despite the winter mud clawing at our heels we maintained the passing, patterns and persistence that have become our trade-mark. And yet…

Two goals against the run of play, and a second half camped around their penalty box striking posts, skying shots to the darkening skies and denied a fair goal by the opposition’s linesman and we’ve come away with nothing yet again. Perhaps it’s a compliment. League sides are now defending deeply against us, aware of the skill and adventure in our side. But if schooling kids in the moribund arts of gamesmanship and bus parking is their problem, scoring now appears to be ours. It’s one we’ve got to solve. And quickly.

Kensington Dragons U15 Eagles 0 v 1 Wealdstone

Back to earth, wake up call, rude awakening ­ call it what you like, but as we trudged home after an hour or so of tough, vain sluggery, the truth was plain to see: we were beaten by a team whose single shot belied the constant pressure we put them under from first whistle to last.

Were we lacking brightness? Was there a touch of over-confidence? The game certainly darkened as Wealdstone’s dogged defending was matched by their irresponsible coaches’ ceaseless hounding of the referee (particularly distasteful when the big decisions, a penalty not given, a goal disallowed, went against us).

But you won’t find us trying to intimidate the people we rely on for our Sunday football. And more importantly, we don’t teach our boys to mask their temporary short-comings with a conspiratorial sense of grievance. Instead we face up to simple facts and learn from them. We lost because we failed to convert our hatful of chances. And recognising that will enable us to do much better next time.

Kensington Dragons U15B 6 v 0 West Drayton

After all the excitement in the cups, Sunday saw us back to business in the league. Our opponents West Drayton were unknown quantities so plenty of questions hung in the fresh November air before kick off. The first answer came within minutes, a trade-mark twisting run from our midfield that only a rash scything challenge could stop. A well struck free kick and a sharply taken tap in from the rebound and it was one nil to the Eagles. From there we never looked back. Movement, passing, intelligence, style, it was all on display again – great for spectators but too much for our spirited opponents. Six nil was the final score and while there is certainly a long hard winter ahead of us, the league suddenly looks very appetising indeed.

Yeading Wanderers 3 V 4 Kensington Dragons U15B Middlesex County Cup round 3

When a newly promoted division four side beats a division one outfit in a cup tie it is customary to speak of giant killers. But that doesn’t just overstate the size of our opposition. It also belittles our own growing stature.

Yes, their qualities were plain to see (those sharp dangerous balls into the box and powerful confident strikes from distance). And yes, until deep into the second half we were always chasing the game. But our self-belief always kept us in touch. Two-one down at half time meant everything to play for in the second half.

Their early strike soon after the re-start would have sunk many a fine team – but above increasingly heavy legs beat strong hearts and sharp footballing brains. And if our next strike was not enough to convince Yeading the game was far from over, our equaliser certainly did. By which time it was too late for the home side who were clearly wearied by our relentless creativity. And while a late penalty shout raised some noise from their increasingly moribund support it was nothing compared to the unbridled delight of the travelling Dragons as our winner was driven home at the end of a truly magnificent end-to-end move.

So if Yeading are still wondering quite what hit them, here is the answer in short: a team of Eagles that illness had shorn of subs and key players. No cup-slaying myth, then – just eleven legends.

Heathrow Club 0 v 6 Kensington Dragons U15B

Those of you who follow the mighty Eagles will recall last season’s one regret: amid all the triumph in the league there lingered a sense of early let down in the cups. And that’s another thing we’re putting right this term. Yes, this had none of the drama of last week’s 5-4 last gasp victory; and yes, this was against a team we’d bossed home and away last season. But far from home, and battered by winds that care nothing for the finer arts of pass and move, we kept our heads and watched our feet and got the job well done. A fine hat-trick from our tireless mid-field maestro was just another just reward. So, trudging home from an Autumnal Hayes, we could certainly agree: the season’s changing. For us it is getting very interesting.

Kensington Dragons Youth U15B 5 V 4 LNER Youth

The score tells only half the story. Yes, the match was tight and fought to the last kick of the game by both sides. But it was not just a single contest these mighty Dragons won on Sunday. It was a landmark victory snatched countless times from the jaws of a beckoning dignified defeat. 2-0 down and we pulled a goal back only for their lead to stretch to 3-1. Again we battled to even the score but went behind 4-3 before we took those stunning strides to take the game.

We often talk now about the spirit of this skilful team. But here was another level ­ achieved, no less, over a confident division one side. One more round of the cup. One giant leap for the team.

Kensington Dragons U15B 5 v 1  Forest Utd

The leaves may have started to fall but the spirit of these Dragons is definitely rising. After a disappointing opening game we’ve stepped up a level each weekend since. Looking for a first win of the season, our appetites were sharpened by the promise of a tasty cup run ­ and our boys wasted no time getting stuck in to a meaty opposition. They weren’t slouches, and as they fitfully showed, they had plenty of skill in key areas. But we were simply irresistible all over the park, each of our three first-half goals a triumph of sparkling, spirited teamwork.

Forest responded well in the second but we continued to dig the ball out of a thickly wooded mid-field, feed the wings and move the ball skillfully to their bye-line. This way opportunities came and went, with quick jinks into the box, fine lobs, the occasional long-range shot, but soon we made it four. And while they pulled one back on the break we crushed any hopes of a response with a final combination from a hard-won free kick. And as the sun showed its pleasure by delaying its autumnal departure for just one more weekend of Dragon delights, the hard-working coaching team could sit back and bask in a great deal of credit. There are plenty of challenges ahead ­ but we increasingly look like meeting them.