The drive out to the Kalbar Showgrounds was lovely and I believe all Dragon supporters enjoyed the pleasant open range with farm land vistas.  It’s a good location to play football. Man of the Match from last match RW3 was absent today so the Dragons needed to step up as a team to fill the void.  For the best part of the match they played some good soccer, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to get the better of the Fassifern Cobras.

The match started off well enough with the prospects of a good to-and-fro battle unfolding early.  However the Cobras hit the lead with a goal after about 5 minutes. For some reason the Dragons seemed to switch off and just couldn’t find their mojo today. It was like the ball had razor blades on it and they didn’t attack it as well as they did in the first round. The snakes slithered too quick for the stuttering fire-breathers and  kept attacking with quite a few shots on goal, but stand-in keeper for the first half JPC2 did a great job at parrying the ball away and made some critical diving saves. However, with the Dragon defensive line scattered too many times and inadequate marking of players, the venom-spitters piled on the pressure and before half time, they had secured a 0-4 lead.

Unfortunately CS12 aggravated a pre-existing back injury and had to be subbed, with JH15 adding some flair.

It wasn’t all fire and brimstone from Coach M at half time but he demanded more effort from his squad – whom he knows has lots of potential with all players adding their own dynamic to the team. The lads showed enthusiasm and got back in formation on the field early to start the second half, wanting to redeem their earlier inconsistent effort. It worked and there were some good plays and challenges early. Finally, the Dragon strikers were able to find some space with some quality ball from the midfielders and booming kicks from JH14 (who was back in his familiar position of keeper for the second half), plus some good tough contests against the Cobra strikers – good work. The defenders were working overtime and matched the effort of the reptilian players who were passing the ball between each other well. HD4 stymied many Cobra attacks on goal showing grit and grunt, but it turned out to be his undoing as he came off second best during a good challenge on the biggest player on the field. The Iron Wall of Blackstone (a.k.a. HD4) did succumb to an upper leg injury and had to be replaced by CS12 who needed treatment on his back, but got back on for the boys. 

Coach M got to use the First Aid Kit for the first time this season, but luckily it was just for strapping – nothing serious.

Finally, LB7 got onto the end of a good run and blitzed the ball past the Cobra keeper. 1-4. Soon after there was a raid by JL5, JPC2 & LB7 with the latter scoring the goal.  2-4

Another brace of goals for the maverick striker – was today a hat-trick day?…….

Yes it was!………

But not until after the scaled serpents put another goal away, which meant the score went to 2-5 and then to 3-5. There was still five minutes remaining in the match and anything is possible with the Dragons. SF15 ran and ran all match contesting the ball as much as he could and his efforts were noticed by the Dragon Cheer Squad. The match quickly faded into a loss for the misfiring Winged Red Terrors of the Sky who had their wings well and truly clipped today.

A late goal for the poisonous fanger’s sealed the deal, but they deserved it.

Honorable mentions to:

·        TR11 was again valiant in defense and kicked the ball away from danger many times;  

·        RC9 for being in good position and trying to get the ball as quick as possible to the strikers;

·        WM13 for skirmishing for the ball well in the midfield;

·        JL5 for keeping the ball moving & being all over the field;

·        AB8 for chasing the ball where possible and for volunteering to be keeper when we needed one before JH14 arrived; and

·        MT6 for showing some good dribbling and getting the ball out to the strikers.

Also, an important selection was made today with JL5 being named as captain for the season.  He is a well-spoken, kind and helpful young man and the Dragons look forward to his leadership during the upcoming matches.

Not a great day for the U10 Dragons on the field and they will work harder on their skills at training next Thursday, plus lots of running drills too.

Time to rest up, treat the wounds and get the fires burning again.