The first half of the season ended on the Sunday with the Dragons winning ALL their matches and scoring 32 goals to a paltry combination of 2 goals from the all the oppositions added together. The Dragons are nothing if not resilient – whilst other teams faltered and faded in the winter gloom the Dragons kept going. There will now of course be an enquiry as to how we let in the two goals.
The Firsts beat Cricklewood Wanderers 1-0 at home. This was a tight game with both teams battling to score the decisive goal. At time ticked away the Dragons were awarded a penalty – surely this would be the winning goal? The ball was struck well only for the goalie to block it before the Dragons thumped it in on the rebound. Inexplicably to some the linesman ruled that the goalie had been off his line and disallowed the goal. The minutes then really were ticking away as both sides desperately sought the winning goal. The Dragons pushed aside their disappointment at not being awarded the penalty goal, redoubled their efforts, and finally scored for a well deserved win.
The Blues beat Acton Ealing Whistlers 3-0 away. The Blues have come of age and played good solid football to be the better team. It was a pleasure to see the smiles on the Dragons players’ faces as they were rewarded with having battled through to become a great team.
The Old Dragonians had no match.
The U18 Boys beat Football Samurai 2-0 at home. This was as comprehensive a victory you will ever get. Granted the opposition only had 10 players but to have over 40 attempts on goal and 90% possession tells you the story. If the Dragons were not so wasteful in front of goal the score would have been huge!
The U17 Boys away match against Headstone Manor was called off at disturbingly short notice with Headstone citing that the pitch was in poor condition. A great shame because this is one of the few grounds with a decent café – some parents have been known to sneak off into the warm rather than watch their sons pulverise their opposition.
The U16 Boys beat Ickenham 6-0 at home. In the last match of the year some Dragons could not play due to family commitments and sickness. With a team of bare 11 the Dragons had no choice but to get stuck in from the start. Amazingly, they were 2-0 up at half time. The Manager worried as Ickenham brought on fresh legs but flagging is not in these Dragons’ nature. They might have been tired but they never showed it and instead carried on fighting hard until the final whistle to score another four.
The U15 Boys beat Celtic 2-1 away. The Dragons put in a massive team effort this week to take all three points, wearing their red away kit for the first time and looking like Santa’s starting 11.
The U14 Boys thumped London Athletic 10-1 away. LA started with a sustained attacking splurge on the wet, sticky pitch, whilst both sides avoided the particularly muddy patch in the middle. The LA’s early attacks were to no avail however against the experienced, capable Dragons defence. The Dragons meanwhile potted a neat 5 goals in each half to record yet another win. LA scored their consolation goal from a very well taken free kick.
The U13 Boys beat Pinner 5-0 away. Another victory for the Dragons who have so far have only lost only one League match since September! They put the goals in their stockings and now take a deserved rest.
The U12 Boys Red beat Acton Ealing Whistlers 1-0 at home. This was a well-deserved win for the Dragons, who managed to keep their lead in the second half with their goalie making crucial saves.
The U12 Boys White beat Belmont Bees 6-0 at home. A six-goal thriller from the Dragons who took the sting out of the Bees and all three points. The Dragons now sit second in the League putting pressure on the leaders, Bessingby Park. A big second half of the season to come.
The U11 Boys home game to Celtic was cancelled as Celtic could not field a team.
The new U11 Girls were beaten 2-6 by Actonians at home. The Dragons team is developing well and after a few more additions will mature into a winning combination.
The U15 Girls lost 1-3 at home to AFC Leyton. This was a game that could have gone either way with both sides well acquainted. The Dragons will now recuperate over the holidays and, with games in hand, know they can launch themselves up the table come January with a string of good results.
The U13 Girls, U14 Girls, U16 Girls and U18 Girls had no matches.