The past three games the Dragons have “played” were not their best and so it was time to redeem themselves and show what they are made of.  The hard-fought match against Whitehill in round 7 took a lot out of them and the Dragons need to rise to that level again.  We all know how good they can play – individually and as a team – so that performance in round 7 is the benchmark for the rest of the season.  Today’s match played away at St Cats was nowhere near their best but the Dragons showed glimpses of great football and a desire to be playing.  The game against St cats in round 4 was a really good 2-2 draw, with JL5 getting a last minute equalizer.  Unfortunately today’s match didn’t have as much drama or tight tussles, but it was still an enjoyable spectacle.

The match had only just got underway and Coach MT was saying hi to the rival coach and making sure the reserves were comfortable when St Cats burst into the lead.  Not a good start but it was a lucky goal.  The lads kept their heads up and strived on. Before half time the score was 0-3 after a couple of good St Cats goals.
Not for lack of trying, the Dragons couldn’t get the desired goal they needed to get on the scoreboard. JL5 thought he had converted a good chance but the referee ruled the goal keeper hadn’t taken the ball over the goal line while catching it after JL5 had chipped it over his head. JL5 had a happy dance ready too! Maybe next week.  Half time came and the boys stuck together and wanted to play hard in the second half.

Again, the Dragons created so many chances and defended so well, but the St Cats answered every challenge the red shirts threw at them.  Lots of credit to the defenders and midfielders today. The score could/should have been more but the lads gave it their all. RC9 played at right back again this game and he has made this position his own.  He saved a certain goal in the first half after he booted the ball away off his own goal line and also marked his opponent well for the match.
RC9 was the man-of-the-match today and thoroughly deserved it. Great effort!

Honourable mentions to:
TR11, HD4, AB8 and CS12 did a great job in defence. Stay strong boys and keep booting the ball to the sidelines!
JH14 had a good first half as goalkeeper and if not for the super strikes would have had a clean sheet.
JCP2 had another run-filled first half trying to get the ball down the field and then played keeper in the second half.
An unfortunate penalty goal was unstoppable and JCP2 couldn’t get near it. 0-4.
MT6, WM13, LB7, SF15 all tried hard as they do most games, but St Cats had them covered.
Another super effort by RW3 this game personified the type of footballer Coach MT wants all the boys to be like.
RW3 got in, had a go, got dirty and tackled well all game. Keep it up, it’s great to watch!
As the match fizzled toward its conclusion, St Cats put another two tidy goals away and it was “mission complete” by the feisty felines.
The result was fair for the St Cats team – a great effort.
The Dragons played “3 goals good” today, so maybe they will get these “goals-owing” next week.
Back to training on Thursday and Coach MT has more running for the lads programmed.