Kensington Dragons 5 v 3 Sandgate FC
The new year for many is the opportunity for change but the Dragons were looking for more of the same. With only one league defeat in 2012 the aim was to hit the ground running knowing that a positive result today would give a psychological advantage to the winner and a three point gap at the top of the table.
The game started better for Sandgate who had a game plan and were executing it better than the home side. As the half continued Dragons were able to find their feet and possession and territory were being shared in search of an advantage. The breakthrough would come for the visitors on the thirty minute mark when a cross into the box was defended poorly and the loose ball struck in by Sandgate’s top goal-scorer. Dragons upped their levels and started to dominate play a bit more but a half-time it was only the goal that separated the two sides.
Within five minutes of the restart, Sandgate could sense a step up from their opponents and it was not long before the sides were level when a dead-ball from distance found the net via the head of two Dragons, the second being Nalu Moso who scored. Shortly after with more pressure being applied by Dragons, a corner met Soussi on the run and his glancing header flew past the keeper to give Dragons the lead. It was one way traffic at this point and a great pass by Malone found Nalu Moso in the box and a last ditch tackle only conceded a penalty which Madden gladly accepted to make it three. Dragons were in cruise control and only a mistake would let Sandgate back into the game and sure enough, an error in judgment from the back line let the man that opened the scoring in and he increased his tally and made a game of it again. Dragons responded with changes in personnel and one sub was involved in a great move down the left as the other sub finished calmly to restore the two goal advantage. Two would become three with what was becoming a great cameo debut by George Mariner as he galloped into the box and was crudely brought down for another penalty. This time Malone was on hand to score and confirm the result. There was still time for Sandgate to grab another goal but a great second half by Dragons made sure that for the first time this season they could claim top spot.