St. Joseph’s A 2 V 0 Kensington Dragons U12s.
The horrendous conditions and torrential rain this Sunday morning might have been the ideal weather for ducks but they certainly weren’t for Dragons. The ball skidded off the greasy surface and made it impossible for the away team to play their normal passing game that has served them so well this season. St. Joseph’s more physical and direct style seemed better suited to the swamp-like conditions. Could it be that St. Joseph was actually the patron Saint of amphibious creatures and not unborn children, workers and immigrants as previously thought? It certainly seemed that way as the team in orange tested our keeper with alarming regularity. One such attack was cleared off the line by Kass who swiftly mounted a counter-attack resulting in a rare Dragons attempt on goal by Felix from a through-ball by Enrique. Towards the end of the half the Dragons started to find their (webbed) feet and there were signs that they might turn the tide but St. Joe’s started the second half brighter and quickly had the ball in the back of the net, only for it to be ruled offside. This seemed to spur the home side on and now kicking downhill, they rained in shots on Arthur’s goal, warming his hands on numerous occasions (at least someone in the park had warm hands). It wasn’t long before they broke the deadlock and quickly added a second. The Dragons rallied but to no avail, it was like pushing water uphill and the final whistle ended their 4 match unbeaten run.
A soggy car journey back to North Kensington gave the young dragons time to reflect on what it feels like to lose. Not good. So it’s back to the basics in training on Saturday and stern word with the weatherman for next Sunday. Hopefully we’ll all have dried off by then.