Saturday 14th January – League

Hailsham 4 Dragons 2 (William, Jake)

 

Saturday 3rd December – Interdivisional

Forest Row 6 Dragons 0

The rain stayed away after a wet week, but there was no sunshine in the Dragons play at Forest Row. From the start there was very little, if any, bite to their play, and far too often there was a lack of commitment in both the tackle and tracking back. A very early goal conceded far too easily was unfortunately a sign of things to come …. Harry was faultless but the team was leaking everywhere and on the odd occasion when we did win the ball there was blind panic and a big hoof up the field without much thought going into the passing.

To be fair to the Dragons, FR were much much bigger boys, but nevertheless there was a worrying lack of effort. Two more goals before half time were no more than FR deserved, and a chat at half time was long overdue …..

A different Dragons team came out in the second half …. committed, passing and creating several chances. In the first 5/10 minutes of the half  the ball was barely out of the FR half and things were looking much better. Then from a Dragons corner the ball quickly broke up the field and FR scored … just like Man City did to Arsenal. Understandably this deflated the Dragons, with the notable exception of Alexander who was undoubtedly the best player on the pitch by a mile in the second half. Two more goals (one a freakish lob goalwards where the Dragons got in each other’s way and therefore failed to stop) were slightly unlucky but the game was over by then.

Hopefully a lesson well learned …. when we come up against better teams we all need to be committed, we need to not panic and keep passing but most of all we need to talk to each other. Some of the (limited) talking today was criticising our own players – this cannot and will not be tolerated …. we win as a team and we lose as a team.

Roll on Raw Skills next week!

Saturday 26th November – League

Dragons 10 (George 3, Jake 4, Guy, Theo, Callum) Paddock Wood Wizards 1

With only 11 men and a very heavy pitch after recent rain, the Dragons were potentially facing a very tiring morning. Nevertheless they started very brightly with Callum in particular tormenting the PW left back. From one of his runs, the ball broke to George just outside the area – he let rip and it fizzed into the net – there were lots more to come but a real contender for goal of the day. The pressure on the PW defence was relentless and after a clever through ball from George Jake slotted the ball home comfortably. At this point the Dragons seemed to ease up a bit, although the ball rarely made it into their half of the field. Jake was playing particularly well, holding the ball up and distributing passes like a pro centre-forward. Towards the end of the first half, the Dragons picked up the pace again.

From a corner, Theo shot (although not the most powerful he has ever hit) made its way through attackers, defenders and goalkeeper and crawled into the bottom corner. Then Ollie broke down the left … not sure how many players he went past but it was at least six or seven and from the resulting cross Guy cooly slotted the ball home. Pressurising goal kicks was the one thing the Dragons did well all day, and just before half time Callum picked one up, ran in on goal and shot well into the side netting. 5-0 at half time and everything was comfortable.

The second half started well …. poor defending at a corner allowed Jake to stumble the ball home from about a yard. Then a great pass from Ollie allowed George to stride up the field unopposed and round the keeper before stroking home. Then two very similar goals from Jake … through balls from midfield behind the defence saw him run through on the goalkeeper where both times it went past the keeper and into the net. Then some great defending from Samuel, a pass to Ollie and another unopposed run on goalkeeper from George made it 10-0.

At this point there was still 15 minutes to go, but the Dragons completely lost the plot. The midfield of George and Alexander weren’t tracking back and the central defence of Theo and Felix were frequently stranded way upfield. Oliver and Samuel did their best, as did Harry, but it was no surprise when PW scored from a ball down the middle. In the end, the final whistle was a relief.

It seems odd to be critical when winning 10-1, but the Dragons will play much better teams this season and we do need to significantly improve our discipline and concentration for  those tougher matches.

Saturday 19th November – League

Pembury United 1 Dragons 6 (Jake 3, George 2, Ollie B)

After the disappointment of the previous week’s friendly against Chipstead, the Dragons took to the field in a table-top clash determined to put in a better performance. And they got into it straight from the kick-off. With no exaggeration, the ball did not enter the Dragons half for the first ten minutes of the match! Nevertheless due to a combination of the Pembury goalkeeper having a great day and some nervous finishing the opening goal would not come. The interplay between the midfield quartet of Callum, George, Alexander and Ollie was excellent and creating many through balls for the strikeforce of Jake and Henry. The back four of Oliver, Theo, Felix and Joseph had little to do, but were always alert when they needed to be. And then just when we thought it was going to be one of those days it finally arrived. From a Pembury corner Callum broke own the right wing passing two or three players before passing to Jake who slotted home from about 10 yards out. No more than the Dragons deserved, and the sense of relief (for players and parents!) was very noticeable. Now the team could relax and play some good football. Some good play from Ollie on the wing ended in a cross which was knocked home by Jake. Then the goal of the match; neat midfield interplay saw the ball fed out to Ollie on the wing who ran into the box and lobbed the ball over keeper and defenders into the side netting … a quality goal. Thereafter a six-yard box scramble saw George slot the ball home and everything was comfortable for the boys in royal blue at half-time. Second half saw Samuel at left back, Alex in midfield and Guy upfront, and initially things continued on from the first half. Some great work by Callum down the right wing saw him cross for George to score  a classy second. For some reason that goal seemed to put the Dragons to sleep … players started to leave their positions (you know who you are!), no effort into tackles and no tracking back when we lost the ball. And it was thoroughly deserved when Pembury scored, although the defending (with the exception of Harry) was far from totally committed! In the last quarter of the match, the Dragons improved. After another great save from the Pembury keeper, Jake scored from a tight angle and right at the death Henry missed from a maximum of two feet from the line – it would have been much easier to score! Overall, once the first goal went in the result was never in doubt. At times we played some excellent football; at other times it wasn’t so good. A return to winning ways, but we need to make the good patches longer!

Saturday 29th October – League

Uckfield 0 Dragons 3 (Jake, Ollie B, Callum)

After some heavy rain over the previous couple of days, it stayed dry for the Dragons first official away match of the season. And by Dragons standards it was a reasonable start, not the usual slow half-asleep effort before starting to play proper football. Uckfield were a much improved side from the one played earlier in the season and it was a competitive game for the first five to ten minutes. Theo played a ball through the inside right channel, Jake chased and and from virtually the byeline somehow managed to get the ball past the keeper and into the far corner of the net …. a great finish from a very tight angle! This seemed to settle the team down – the midfield of George (making a welcome return) and Alexander Lord were feeding Callum and Ollie on the wings creating chances for the strikeforce of Jake and Samuel. From a goal kick the ball came directly to an unmarked Ollie – he headed straight for goal. The first shot from the six yard line was excellently saved but Ollie scrambled the rebound over the line. 2-0 and everything looked good. There then followed a succession of goalmouth scrambles where it could easily have four or five more. And then the inevitable happened, the ball broke clear from a Dragons corner and suddenly Uckfield were through on goal in numbers. But of course they reckoned without Harry who gave us one of his trademark brave rush-outs to the edge of the area with a strong right-footed tackle – a fantastic effort given that he had nothing to do up to that point! The second half was less entertaining than the first other than one incident. As part of a  sweeping attack, the ball broke to Callum just inside the box on the right hand side …. he looked up, saw the goalkeeper off his line and sweetly lobbed the ball over two defenders and the goalie into the roof of the net … pure class. The rest of the match was a bit of a stalemate … the Dragons defence of Oliver, Theo, Felix and Samuel/Joe were strong as usual and there was only ever one team going to score. The passing game (apart from Alex M who played some excellent balls) was missing. The Dragons have played much better this season, but it is the mark of a good team who can win when not playing at their best. Yet more evidence that the team spirit is building and can only help in the more difficult matches to come.

Saturday 22nd October – Friendly tournament

Tonbridge Junior Cyclones 0 Dragons 1 (Felix)

Langton Green Lions 0 Dragons 3 (Ollie B, Callum, Alexander L)

Another beautiful sunny Saturday morning saw the Dragons take the field with 11 players, but as is all too often the case they were a bit slow out of the starting blocks. For the first five minutes of a 30 minute match, the Dragons were pinned back in their own half although the back four of Oliver, Alexander L, Felix and Samuel were strong in the tackle and Harry was his usual outstanding self in goal with two or three top class saves over the course of two matches. Gradually the Dragons moved up the gears and started to show some of the passing and supporting play that we have come to expect, and by half time it was a pretty even game. Not long into the second half the tide definitely switched. A well-worked short corner between Callum and Ollie saw the latter put in a great cross which was headed home very strongly by Felix… a quality goal from a quality move. The rest of the half saw the Dragons defending well with Alex M and Willliam tackling strongly in midfield and Jake/Henry chasing everything they could upfront. To be honest the Dragons were the only team that looked like scoring .. a well-deserved victory from a great team effort! Unusually for an inter-club derby match, the Dragons were very subdued and unenthusiastic for most of the first half and it was only thanks to some great keeping from Harry that they didn’t concede. Then just before half time, and against the run of play, the ball broke to Jake inside the box. Archie made a great save, but could only parry the ball where Ollie picked up the ball on the six yard line to smash the ball home. After a half time chat, the Dragons were much better in the second half. Passing, communication and determination were much more obvious although few goalscoring opportunities were being created at either end. Then the ball was passed along the 18 yard line, Callum swung his left foot …. although it wasn’t the strongest shot he’s ever made, it was right in the bottom left corner leaving Archie no chance. Then just before the final whistle, a corner swept across the six yard box…. Alexander Lord ran in unopposed to slot the ball home from 2 yards. All in all, two good performances although we do need to work out how to start better. Some attractive football played which drew compliments from the Tonbridge coach … bring on Raw Skills in the league next week.

 

Saturday 15th October – Interdivisional

Dragons 1 (Jake) Crowborough Athletic Youth 0

An early start with an 8:45 kick-off and for the first two or three minutes it looked like the Dragons were still asleep! Lucky not to concede a goal during this period to a team of very big boys, the Dragons eventually started to compete and play some of the passing football we’ve come to expect this season. The midfield of Callum, Alexander, Alex and Ollie were playing well together, with Alexander Lord having probably his best ever game as a Dragon. The back four of Oliver, Felix, Theo and Samuel were solid and Henry and Jake upfront chased everything. In contrast to last week, Harry had a few things to do – mainly coming out to intercept through balls. It really was an an even contest at this point and very entertaining to watch … chances at both ends including a shot from Alexander Lord saved well by the keeper. Oliver got a kick on the ankle which meant a reshuffle … Alex at right back and William in midfield. And then it happened …. an outstanding move down the right with first Callum, then a through ball to Alexander who crossed for Jake to slot home from the corner of the six yard box.  A goal worthy of winning any game! Half time came and went and the second half was more of the same – entertaining football and with substitutes Guy and Ben on the pitch there was renewed energy. Although it was fun to watch, there weren’t many clear cut chances. As the sun rose above the trees, it made it harder work, particularly for the midfield. Energy levels started to drop with Dragons starting to lose the ball more easily, chasing shadows and making less effective use of the ball when they did have it. Felix and Theo were immense in central defence, and Ben played an absolute blinder at left back. Near the end, Harry bravely came out to the edge of his box to meet an oncoming striker and got a nasty blow to the leg for his troubles, and right at the death Theo got a sore one when also defending bravely. The Dragons were hanging on a bit, but hung on they did for a just-about-deserved victory. A slow start and a slightly ragged finish, but the majority in the middle was very good. Keep up the great work! Man of the match – Alexander Lord.

Saturday 8th October – League 

Dragons 13 (Jake 4, Henry, Felix, William, Alexander L, Alexander M, Ollie B, Theo(pen), Guy, og) Uckfield 0

Well the temperature was a lot lower than the previous Saturday but the Dragons were red hot as they romped to a comprehensive victory. All 14 players contributed to the team performance and everyone should be proud of their performance. Strangely enough it was a bit of a nervous start, with some snatched shots going off target before Jake stroked the ball into the net from close in. This settled the team, and soon thereafter from a corner Jake also blasted the ball from close range. Almost all of the match was being played in the Uckfield half, although the back 4 of Oliver, Theo, Felix and Joe were always alert when needed. Theo thumped a free kick from midway in the opponent’s half which the goalkeeper did well to save, but following up is an important part of the game and Henry did well to push the ball over the line from the rebound. Next was an unfortunate own goal from a deflection near the six yard line, then from another corner Felix scored high into the net from near the penalty spot. Throughout the first half (and most of the second until he came off) the tormentor in chief of Uckfield was Callum. Time after time he skinned the left back and put in some telling crosses or else many many shots which either just missed or were well saved – an outstanding performance even though he didn’t get on the scoresheet himself! From another Callum cross, the scrambled ball was trickled home by William – his first touch of the ball having come on as sub! Jake then completed his hat-trick before Alexander Lord scored, yet again from close range. Alexander and Callum worked extremely well together down the right hand side for large parts of the game – an encouraging sign for the future.  8-0 at half time and a great 30 minutes performance, even more so when we were playing up the hill! Dragons understandably got off to a bit of a slower start to the second half, although to be honest it was still one-way traffic. Harry in goal was a spectator for the entirety of the match – it is unlikely he will ever have an easier game! From another dangerous Callum corner, Jake made it 4 personally and 9, and then probably the goal of the day from Alex M – surging forward from midfield like Roy Keane and coolly stroking the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal – great effort. Another mazy run from Master Ewing and a clumsy defensive tackle was an easy penalty decision for the ref. Now surely was the time for Callum, he struck it very well but just over the crossbar – not his day scoring-wise! Ollie Blake then capped a fine performance with a goal from the corner of the penalty box. Immediately thereafter Uckfield mounted a couple of attacks, but strong defending from Ben and Theo meant that Harry was not troubled in goal. Another penalty, and this time Theo made no mistake with a strong shot into the side netting. Finally the strangest goal of the day…. Guy thumped a good cross from the left which everybody (3 or 4 defenders, a couple of Dragons and the goalkeeper) contrived to completely miss and as a result it trundled into the right hand side netting! All in all, it was a very very good performance. we created numerous chances and it could have been a lot more. Our discipline was good, our passing and interplay were good and in Callum we undoubtedly had the man of the match. Well done everyone and bring on Crowborough! 

 

Saturday 1st October – League

Dragons 5 (Jake 2, Guy, Callum, Henry) Tonbridge 0

Another beautiful sunny morning saw the Dragons start their league campaign for 2011/12 home to Tonbridge. And a fast start it was too with Callum tormenting the Tonbridge left back and producing great crosses. From one of those, Jake stroked the ball home after only a couple of minutes with the ball dribbling into the corner of the net. The rest of the first half was mostly played in the Tonbridge half, with the Dragons defence of Oliver, Felix, Theo and Joseph giving  nothing away and Harry in goal was a virtual spectator. Then just before half-time Jake broke through the inside right channel before crossing for Guy to score from the six yard line. It was a very hot day, making it very tiring expecially for the midfield tracking back to defend and supporting the attack. Alexander Alex and William all worked hard in cmbinations of two from three, with Callum and Ollie showing some real skills and speed on the wings. The second half was more of the same – Callum broke from the half-way line and despite having his shirt pulled (thanks ref for playing advantage!)  and stroked a wonderful shot into the top of the net from just inside the 18 yard line. Dragons were on top now and it wasn’t long before Henry broke through on his own to slot the ball in the corner. The Dragons started to ease off and allowed Tonbridge back in the game. The defence was still solid and Samuel put in some strong tackles and telling passes. The one real chance that Tonbridge created resulted in a great save from Harry and a goal-line clearance by Theo from the rebound – great stuff both. And finally coming back on after a bit of a rest saw a surging run by Jake form the halfway line – his first shot was saved brilliantly but he stayed calm to place the rebound in the back of the net. All in all a great effort after last week’s disappointment. The team passed well, tackled well and most of all supported each other well. The team will improve with more match practice, but all the signs are encouraging. Keep up the good work boys! 

Saturday 24th September 2011 – Under 11 Cup

Dragons 1 (Callum) TW Foresters Spartak 1 after full time and extra time – Foresters 2-1 on penalties

The first ever competitive match for the Dragons at 11-a-side and it didn’t get off to a very good start. After less than two minutes we let in a pretty soft goal – no real tackling and the signs weren’t good. For the remaining 78 minutes of open play things were different. The Dragons woke up, started to compete and it was only just rewards when an equaliser arrived …. the goalkeeper came rushing out of his area to clear a ball, didn’t manage it and from fully 40 yards Callum lobbed the ball over goalkeeper/defenders and it was in the back of the net. Throughout the match, the back 4 played well …. Oliver, Theo, Samuel/Ben were reasonably well organised and Felix was simply immense – completing 100% for every ball, reading the play so as to be in the right position – a true masterclass in central defending. On the wings Ollie and Callum were causing problems, and the midfield of Alexander and Alex were chasing and harrying. Upfront Jake and Henry chased everything they could. Second half saw Ben at left back and Guy in midfield, but the shape and performance of the team didn’t drop. It was a real end to end game in the course of which Harry not only made several excellent saves but his positional sense and angles were outstanding. No goals came and it was extra time. The same end to end pattern continued but nobody could find the net – again several excellent saves from Harry. So it was on to the dreaded penalties – always a lottery and despite some further great saves from Harry on this day it wasn’t to be. A <strong>FANTASTIC </strong>effort from everyone and it could very easily have gone the other way. The whole team should be proud of their achievement and there were some very good signs for the rest of the season. Man of the match –  a close run thing between Harry and Felix, but Captain Currell gets the nod for an awesome performance.

Saturday 17th September 2011 – friendly

Ridgeway Lions 0 Dragons 9 (Jake 2, George 2, Ollie B 2, William 2, Callum)

The Dragons season finally got under with a friendly match against Ridgeway Lions; fortunately torrential rain just before kick-off did not dampen anyone spirits or enthusiasm. Captain Felix won the toss and playing down wind in the first half the Dragons were totally dominant. From a goal kick Jake cleverly stroked the ball into the top of the net, but ref Mike Ewing ruled it hadn’t left the area. Jake was not to be denied and very shortly thereafter stroked the ball home. The defence of Oliver, Theo, Felix and Joe (Samuel in the second half) was impenetrable, including holding a very high offside line throughout which allowed the midfield and attack to focus on attack for most of the game – a very encouraging sign for the rest of the season. Goals started to flow from that point onwards – Ollie B with a tap in form the six yard line, a cross form the left by Jake stubbed home by George and a second from Ollie meant it was 4-0 at half-time. Callum had been the chief tormentor – cosnistently passing the opposition left back and supplying dangerous crosses for Jake and Henry in attack as well as midfielders like Alexander who on another day would have scored three or four. A very satisfactory performance, but the second half was against the wind! We needn’t have worried – if anything the second half display was better. Three half-time substitutes (Samuel, Guy and William) didn’t alter the shape or performance of the team and the Dragons continued to dominate the game. Jake beat the offside trap and slotted past the oncoming goalkeeper, William scored from close in, George, then William again from near the penalty spot. Without exaggeration the first time Ridgeway broke through the Dragons defence, Harry was alert enough to run out and gather the ball before the onrushing attacker – excellent concentration given that he had absolutely nothing else to do all day. Finally Callum snuck in between defender and goalkeeper to dribble the ball into the net – a just reward for a very fine personal performance. A very encouraging performance, but we will play much better teams this season so we cannot be complacent. Keep up the good work and bring on Foresters in the cup this Saturday!