Harrow Youth League Division 3
Kensington Dragons U15A 3 Vs 3 Gibbon Wreckers
Scorers: Korey, Dean & Bailey
MOM Alberto
The team’s first game back after a month long seasonal break for Christmas and New Year and also the first of 3 successive games against teams currently in the division’s top 4. We were also without 3 players who are re-covering from long term injuries but hopefully should be back by the end of the month. Gibbon Wreckers our opponents who we had played in a cup game and had found ourselves 0-3 down at half-time only to recover and run out 4-3 winners so we knew we would need to be at our best to get the 3 pts.
The opening minutes of the game found the Dragons in good touch with no sign of ring rust as we put the Wreckers under some early pressure and had a few attempts but did not trouble their keeper. We continued playing the better football but we found it hard going as the Wreckers closed down the space in the midfield. Despite this the Dragons still passed the ball efficiently until they finally broke down the Wreckers rear-guard when a long pass found Korey in space and he drove into the box and finished well to give us the lead, We increased our lead 10 mins later as Dean was put through into the box and he converted the chance.
The Wreckers tried to mount a comeback but were generally held in check by good defending by Magnus and Alberto. However, 5 minutes before half-time we gave GW a lifeline as we conceded a penalty which was converted and cut our lead to 2-1 at the half. The second half started fairly evenly until Bailey received the ball outside the Wreckers box and unleashed a shot which whistled into the net to restore our two goal advantage. The Dragons then wasted a couple of golden opportunities which would have put the game outside of GW’s reach. These misses spurred them on and they were awarded another penalty. This one a bit dubious but the pen was converted to cut our lead to 3-2.
The Wreckers were now on top and were awarded their third penalty of the game. This one however was saved by Zak but eventually their pressure told and a great equalising volley was score by the wreckers’ striker. The Dragons responded but we were unable to get the winner and had to settle for a hard fought point.