It has been a busy week:
HELP: We may be the only community club that does not have a mandatory charge for players but we must pay the same costs as other clubs – who charge £1,000 to £3,000/ season. We have survived for 24 years despite, what some might call an “odd approach”, by relying on the kindness and generosity of supporters making voluntary donations and applying for grants. If you son or daughter plays you really ought to help by donating if you can afford it – it does not matter how little or large – every bit helps! As a guide it now costs the club at least £350/player/season. If you can help please click the Donate button
The Reward will not only be in heaven but you will also secure an invitation to the Supporters’ Party on Tuesday 24th November
Refereeing Course: As part of the Dragons Educational Program, we partnered with the FA to run a referee training course for 19 students at the Den. With the first classroom-based modules over the trainee referees need to referee 5 matches before returning to the classroom to complete their training and become FA Certified Referees.
The Firsts had no game.
The Blues were beaten 1-3 away at Hounslow Lions in the Middx County Junior Cup. The weather conditions and player availability took their toll. Despite the Dragons doing enough to win in difficult circumstances for large parts of the game Hounslow found an equaliser and then – in their final attack in the dying minutes – sealed their victory.
The Old Dragonians beat Dar United 3-2 at home. A closely fought win for the Old Ds who came up against a familiar foe on a Sunday that was bright and sunny but with high winds. The Dragons get their second win of the season to balance the books and look to climb up the table.
The U11 Boys White lost 0-2 to FC Starz at home. The young Dragons continue to develop good teamwork, courage and resilience which cannot be faulted. Once they start chalking up goals on the board they will forge ahead.
The U12 Boys beat Wealdstone 1-0 at home. A good match overall, with the Dragons innovating with player rotations and roles. The sense of unity continues to grow as they met a good Wealdstone side that tried hard to stop them. The Dragons scored many “goals” but only one was “allowed” – frustrating but enough to secure the win.
The U14 Boys beat St Josephs 5-2 at home. The Dragons started well, despite playing into the ferocious wind, to go two goals ahead but by half time St Josephs had drawn level. The Dragons were determined to improve in the second half and so they did – emphatically winning the second period to take the overall victory.
The U15 Boys Reds narrowly lost 0-1 to Pro FA away. This was a mid table clash which the Dragons will be smarting at not winning.
The U15 Boys Whites were beaten away by PurePro. This was a tough contest against a currently unbeaten PurePro side sitting at the top of the League.
The U16 Boys drew 4-4 to the European Football Academy at home. The Dragons demonstrated combativeness, constantly coming back after the Europeans scored. Excitingly the Dragons took the lead for the first time in the last 10 minutes but, before they could celebrate their monumental turn around, EFA equalised with the game’s last action. Exciting but a shame.
The U17 Boys irritatingly just lost 1-2 to Football Samurai away. The Pitch was poor and it was being extremely windy but that is no excuse as both sides were playing on the same pitch in the same weather! The Dragons could have won but their own mistakes caused unnecessary problems. The Dragons will do better when they meet at the Den
The U11 Boys Red, U13 Boys and the U18 Boys had no game.
There were no Youth Girls games as they took a break for half term.
