Its with great honour that I was approached to create the match reports for the Wyrley Dragons U9’s.  As some of you may be aware of my reports for the Meerkats and has taken me some time to hone my craft.  It may take me a couple of weeks to learn names of parents and players before I start to find my form (mickey take), so please bear with me. Plus I hear there are a number of Police Officer parents within the team so I’d better watch my step.

The newly formed Wyrley Dragons started their season off this weekend with matches against Stonnall Stars and Old Wulfs North. The team rocked up at Leamore Park raring to go.  The only nerves were that of the gaffer Chris Nicholls, and boy were they smelly ones! The Gaffer has done really well in the 4 weeks that the team has formed, ensuring that the emphasis is having ‘Fun’ at training and during the matches.  He selected his starting Dragons who were chomping at the bit! with the parents providing the encouragement from behind the respect barriers. The team gathered in a huddle, the tension unbearable, the noise immense – the gaffer had them psyched!!!

For a team with very little experience of either each other or the environment they settled in really well.  The back 2 of Niall and Phoebe provided a resolute defence that quashed every attempt on the Wyrley goal. Jim, Freya and Reubs were marshalling the midfield and were providing the through balls for Bill to run onto.  The team looked like seasoned professionals, knowing their positions and the job in hand. Bill and Jim the dynamic duo were dazzling the crowds with exceptional skill that was causing the Stonnall defence many a problem.  The dragons went 1 down but kept their heads up and worked the ball well down the right wing with Reubs playing Bill in who rifled in to level the score.  The Dragons celebrated with great gusto and the parents joined in too.  The goal put a spring in the Dragons step and were all over the opposition.  Freya was working her magic on the left flank using her trickery and pace to skin the defence.  Riley the Dragons shot stopper had definitely had 3 shredded wheat as I have never seen such a commanding / brave performance from  any other young keeper, he was like a muck spreader – he was everywhere!!!! Matthew and Kenzie both made impacts when introduced into the fray, battling hard, showing great guile. Half time came and the gaffer gathered them in another tight huddle praising their endeavours.  Much of the same was the orders for the second half and the kids gladly obliged. The Dragons second goal was the straight from the manuals.  Great interplay between Matthew, Bill, Jim and Reubs led to the ball being tucked away by Jim – the crowd erupted, what a goal, what great passing and vision by the youngsters – great to see.

The guys and gals were buoyed by the result and had to play their second game immediately due to Stonnall being late for the first game.  The adrenalin was pumping as the Dragons took to the fields against Old Wulfs North. This game belonged to the heroics of the Dragons keeper Riley, who shone out as the star player.   Jim and Bill were still causing chaos with their intricate skill and pace and Freya was showing that girls could also participate in the skill games. The dragons conceded 2 goals but it didn’t paint a true reflection of the game itself.  The Dragons had the lions share of possession and always looked dangerous when attacking. The defence was being well marshalled by Captain Marvel Phoebe, supported well with Kenzie and Niall respectively and was good to see that all kids were used and not one moaned about being subbed. Jim continued to pepper the keeper with curling shots which were unfortunately thwarted.  Matthew put in a shift in the middle of the park and showed some great tenacity tracking back to make emergency tackles.  Reubs was using his rocket esque pace to try and create an opening for the Bill and Jim to feed on, only for the attempts to be quashed by their keeper.

A unanimous vote from the parents saw keeper Riley get awarded man of the match.

An absolute pleasure to watch, especially seeing the smiles on the kids faces pre and post games.  The Dragons are in good hands with Gaffer Nicholls and his glamorous assistant Dan and will definitely be a force to be reckoned with.

Watch out kids as I will  be giving you all nicknames in the forthcoming weeks.  I need to remember your names first  –  I’m not as young as I look.

Keep up the great start kids and keep smiling!