An unbeaten week saw the Dragons score 24 goals to the combined opposition’s paltry 5 as they hurtled to the Christmas break in the secure knowledge that our wins have been deserved and our defeats down to perfidious refs or dastardly opposition tricks:
The U11’s beat TFA Crouch End 5-3 at home in sweet revenge. With a few international stars away the Dragons started with conviction and hunger, determined to continue their winning streak. The team was sharp and played with finesse as an early 20 yard scorcher started super Sunday. This was followed by a fast run down the left wing before a cut across three of the opposition ended in the ball landing in the back of the Crouch End’s net. The Dragons defence withstood the pressure and the first half ended 3 – 0 to the Dragons. The second half started with Crouch End swinging into action to score two successive goals to take the game to a nail biting climax. It was then end to end football with the Dragons midfield scoring a great solo goal to stabilise the side.
The U13’s had no game
Both U14 teams had no game
The U15’s walloped Harrow St Marys 8-1 at home. With many of the Dragons squad away, including the goalie nursing an injured thumb in Brazil, it was an almost makeshift team that lined up against Harrow. The Dragons passed, ran and shot to little avail for much of the first half but eventually the essential talent of the Dragons showed through and the goals came. The U15’s remain undefeated in the League.
The U17’s beat Celtic 3-0 at Birbeck. The Dragons were keen to notch up a victory and were out in strength on this beautiful sunny December morning. Shortly after kick-off the Dragons scored from a lovely pass to allow the right midfield to slot the ball home. The Dragons were then thwarted from scoring again by a number of near-misses including hitting the crossbar. Back on the field the Dragons continued to press but again failed to score until two further goals were scored late in the second half when their persistence was finally rewarded.
The First Team beat Pitshanger Dynamo 4-0 away to continue their winning streak. There is a long way to go but possible promotion to the Premiership has been mentioned.
The Reserves beat CB Hounslow 4-1 at home in the 3rd round of the MCFL Junior Cup. This was a big test for the Reserve squad with no less than 10 players unavailable. The Dragons started poorly, even with the strong wind helping the territorial advantage; both young and older Dragons kept gifting possession. In five crazy minutes the Dragons missed two open goals before then managing to fail to net with 4 attempts in one move hitting the post and bar in the process. Finally after 25 minutes the Dragons striker was felled and the resulting penalty converted. A superb Dragons corner was headed home before the striker scored again with a hooked left foot after reading a long throw from the right. It was 4-0 at half time when the ball was neatly tucked into the corner from the centre midfielder. If there ever was a poor first half that finished 4-0 up this was it! The second half was a drab affair with the Dragons dropping deeper with the wind and having to reshuffle due to injury at the back. Hounslow managed a consolation goal in the last few minutes but the result was never in doubt.
We will be back in the New Year