CB Hounslow Social Reserves 1 v 1 Kensington Dragons Reserves
Having had a couple of weeks off due to postponements the Reserves looked to gain a second win in a few weeks over the league’s feisty participants. After having upset the odds in the reverse fixture it was clear from the off that CB wanted blood and would try to win at all costs to stay top of the league.
The Dragons started superbly, using the wind along with Ade Akerdolu’s and Dean Humphrey’s long throws they gained solid territorial advantage. Humphrey launched one down the line and striker Laycock ran on in behind to force an excellent save from the small but agile CB Keeper. Steve Cahill, in a new No 10 role then could have scored with his head from close range but scuffed wide. At set pieces CB were trying everything in defending. Grappling, pulling, tripping and even a full on rugby tackle as they knew they were under the cosh. However they held out and late on in the half forced a tremendous save from Ian Whitmore on his debut, tipping over at full length. HT 0-0.
CB stepped it up in the second half and the game was very tight but getting very hot under the collar. Constant baiting from CB was handled well from the predominantly young Dragons but they were beginning to struggle in midfield with Adam Finch and Humphrey working tirelessly but not at their best in playmaking. As CB changed shape and pushed on they began to look dangerous but both Dragon center backs, Jon Dixon and Kieran Cox, were in imperious form against a very good striker. As they entered the final 5 minutes the No 9 finally turned Dixon well and his cross shot was hooked on the turn by his strike partner to wrong foot Whitmore and the home team celebrated as if they had won the Champions League final. Once the Dragons had listened to 2 minutes of outrageous taunts from CB they focused on trying to burst the home teams balloon with just a couple of minutes left. Into injury time they won a corner and everyone came forward, Humphrey drilled one in and Akerdolu rose to thump a header onto the inside of the post, it squirted through the 6 yard box and man of the match Cahill ran in to level the game. Ridiculous protests followed from CB but thankfully for once the referee was unmoved and the Dragons had preserved their 13 game unbeaten run whilst probably ending CB’s title hopes with Southall sitting a point behind but 3 games in hand.