Results Round-Up 03 March 2013

Spring is looking suspiciously close as the Adult Dragons booked their way into their second Cup Final:

The Firsts beat Cricklewood Wanderers 3-1 at home in the semi final of the Middlesex County Cup to continue their winning ways. The Final will be played on 10 April against NPL FC at Bedfont FC, Hatton Rd, Bedfont, Middx TW14 9QS. Kick off 7.30pm – all welcome.

The Reserves beat British Airways 2-1 away at the Concorde Stadium in the Middlesex League Cup quarter final. Despite the beautiful pitch and strong squad the Dragons started slowly but still managed to take the lead on 10 minutes via an unusual penalty – BA’s keeper saved well only for the ball to be smashed again but again the keeper made a brilliant stop only to be thwarted as the Dragons eventually found the net. With the ref seemingly trying to even things up BA were awarded their own penalty and it was 1-1 into the break. A stern talking to lead the Dragons to pick up speed to pull ahead to 2-1. BA almost pulled level but a superb Dragons full stretch save literally saved the day to leave the Dragons winners. The Reserves have already booked a County Cup final v Barnet Municipal Officers FC on 17 April at Feltham FC, The Orchard, Hatton Road, Bedfont, Middx TW14 9QT. KO 7.30. All welcome

The U17’s beat Ariana 3-1 away. The Dragons were missing key defenders and the game promised to be a challenge. All was well with the world however as the sun shone on a reasonable pitch with the Dragons pleased to play football. Despite creating chances it was not until the dying minutes of the first half that the Dragons went one up. Back on the pitch the Dragons scored again but then began to rest whilst scoring from another tap in before a late surge by Ariana gave them their own goal.

The U15’s drew with league leaders LNER 1-1 away. With the goalie and others released from duty to take part in DofE it was a potentially shaky Dragons squad who travelled to the depths of North Wembley. With the Dragons early retired striker stepping in as goalie without a tracksuit, coldness, indecision and lack of experience gifted LNER the first goal and the situation looked grim. The Dragons took a deep breath, dug in and fought back to 1-1 before the excitable referee gave LNER a penalty. The hapless Dragons goalie looked forlorn as the confident LNER striker strode up to whack the ball hard and low to the side. The Dragons goalie leapt into action and pulled off a remarkable save. The drama was not over as the even more excitable referee then sent off a Dragon. The Dragons however refused to give in and played as if they had 11 players and were unlucky not to score to win.

The U14 Nighthawks lost 2-3 at home to Pinner. The Dragons found themselves 1-0 up at the half but in an exciting second half could not quite win.

The U14 Eagles match against Pinnstars was cancelled in the unusual circumstance of the Pinnstars manager being very ill.

The U13’s beat Hillingdon 4-3 away with the Dragons having virtually a full squad. The game was a classic – swinging to and fro. Hillingdon scored first via a penalty but the Dragons responded with their midfield inter passing to the striker to score. The Dragons then took the lead with another well worked move from midfield. Hillingdon came straight back and won a penalty which went wide only for the ref to order the penalty to be taken again. Their 2nd effort was then well saved by the Dragons keeper leaving them 2-1 up at half time. The second half started badly with Hillingdon being gifted a goal before they then took the lead. It was now that the Dragons rotation of subs played a crucial role as relatively fresh players came on to attack and draw level. With the game in the balance the ball fell to the Dragon midfielder to unleash a wonder strike which ripped into Hillingdon’s net to give the Dragons a hard fought win.

The U11’s lost 0-4 to AFC Wembley away

The U10’s continue to train at St Marks on Saturday mornings from 10 to 11.30am in preparation for their game on March 16th against South Ealing Saints.

The Girls continue to train on Friday evenings on the big pick at the Westway from 5.30-7.00pm.