The gnarled Seniors and diminutive U11 Boys led the way with wins but, if truth be told, there were a few wobbles in between:
The combined Seniors squad beat Sporting Duet 3-2 in a friendly at home. The Dragons were sharp from the off to score twice in the first twenty minutes. The players are starting to gel and understand the coaching strategy. Alas after 30 minutes they became complacent, starting to over play and then losing possession. By half time Sporting Duet had managed to pull back two goals. The Dragons were as one as they agreed that they needed to go back to controlling the game which they did to dominate the second half. Twenty minutes in the Dragons took the lead again, but this time held on to win 3-2. A good performance, which will raise players’ confidence in preparation for this coming weekend’s home cup fixture.
The U18s lost 2-4 to Belmont away. The Dragons took the lead as they played for the first time on a 4G pitch. Belmont equalised just before half time and then took the lead in the 2nd half before the Dragons equalised with a great goal. As can be the case, as the Dragons pressed for a win Belmont scored twice from breakaways.
The U17s lost to Brentham 2-7 away. The Dragons played to the end but were outclassed by a very strong team. It is on to next week.
The U15 Boys just lost 1-2 to Elite London away. This was a frustrating match for the Dragons as Elite’s goals came from a handball in the box (maybe ! ) and a defensive mistake. The Dragons converted a penalty for their only goal. This was a good reminder of how fitness will be crucial for the rest of the season. Heat plus only 2 subs on the day took their toll.
The U15 Girls were awarded a win as their opposition could not field a team. Instead they played the U13 Boys in a friendly during the Saturday training session. Despite the girls being two years older the U13 boys gave them a good match, with the Girls just winning by a one off wonder goal.
U14 Boys had no match
The U13 Boys lost to Wealdstone away. This was a difficult morning with the ref arriving late, giving time for the Dragons key defender to injure himself in the warm up! An unfortunate fall on the hard surface, whilst practising a tackle, left him with an urgent visit to St Mary’s and two broken bones in his wrist! Eventually the match started with the Dragons defending gallantly from an attacking onslaught. It was a relief to be only 0-1 down at half time. Unfortunately, an early goal in the second half, followed by a quick penalty against the Dragons, saw their heads drop to Wealdstone’s rather wicked advantage. The normally chipper Dragons Manager was relieved to eventually get home after her car would not start. Never was a cup of tea more deserved.
The U13 Girls lost at home to Broomwood. The Dragons had the bare minimum amount of players which included the absence of the first choice goalkeeper. The game started encouragingly enough with the Dragons keeping good possession and hitting the woodwork early on. However as the hidden score line suggests that was as good as it got.
The U12 Boys lost away against Harrow St Mary’s, who proved to be a well developed and organised team. There were a lot of lessons for the Dragons to learn in this loss, which should be a positive going forward.
The U12 Girls game was called off as the opposition could not field a team.
The U11 Boys beat Hanwell Town 3-2 at home in a tremendous show of resilience. The Dragons went 0-2 down and so easily could have lost heart but they are made of sterner stiff and pulled back to 2-2 before scoring the important winner near the end.
The U11 Girls drew 1-1 with Broomwood at home. The Dragons were outstanding as they gave everything. The concentration & work rate from the first whistle to the last was phenomenal. Every Dragon had to dig deep & fight for one another as they refused to be beaten whilst never giving up trying to win.
The U10s trained before playing a friendly against the U11 Boys. It will soon be time to start splitting the players into two squads by age in preparation forentering the League as Under 11s .
