Kensington Dragons 3 v 2 Hounslow Wanderers
Whilst things have been looking promising with Dragons start to the season, ultimately they will be judged on where they finish in the league. Though results will show they have not lost a game since to the current leaders on the first game of the season a collection of draws puts them in a mediocre position at best. The chance for three points had to be seized on against a Wanderers team that have had an awkward start themselves.
Dragons started well and with yet again a different back four the order of the day was to not go behind. A bright start to the match created some good openings and Bangoo’s measured shot from 25 yards unluckily rattled the bar with the keeper beaten. This only spurred the Dragons on and a ball into the box from a set-piece evaded everyone and fell kindly to Madden at the back post to rifle home the opener.
A number of opportunities came and went in the remainder of the first half but dragons failed to take them which could always come back to haunt you. With that said there was little threat on the Dragons goal and a half played to the level of the first should see a second win of the season.
With the second half underway the competitive edge of the opposition had certainly improved and the opportunities that Dragons were squandering in the first half were becoming a lot harder to come by. As predicted a swift counter raid down Dragons left hand side ended with a cross in the box and a neat finish saw the away side level. Dragons were shell shocked and did not really get to grips with conceding a goal though Mkoloma had a great chance to put Dragons level going 1v1 with the keeper only to be denied. At the other end a partially cleared corner saw a returned ball into the box and a looping header doubled the Wanderers score and goals for the striker who got it. A change for the injured MKoloma who had a header cleared off the line for Nalu Moso proved to be the turning point in the game.
Once again Dragons started to create chances and a cleaver through ball from Madden to Bangoo allowed him to do what Mkoloma could not when 1v1 with the keeper and bring the scores level. With the momentum shifted again, a penetrating run from Cahill saw his powerful ball into the box turned into the net and the lead restored. Dragons had chances to make the end of the game more comfortable with good chances at the death but the final whistle brought relief to the players’ ears that they had not surrendered the points and got their win.
J.Muyanja, B.Maxwell, D.Humphrey, G.Batasoul, S.Scott, J.Hammond, M.Mkoloma, P.Bangoo, L.O’Donoghue, T.Madden, S.Cahill Subs: S.Cole, C.Harper, G.Nalu Moso