The mighty Villa caused a massive cup upset by knocking out Bournemouth AFC. 2 quality goals by the Claret and Blues were greeted well by the capacity crowd at Villa Park! Who have the dingles got next round Mr Nicholls??? What’s that, no retort!!!!
A slightly warmer day greeted the Dragons as they rocked up at Leamore Park, must have been the reason why Matty’s Mom Michelle ventured out from under her duvet! Kenzie 007 Bond was absent through a planned holiday – luckily the French location is quite remote so his loudness can be easily lost. We were scheduled to play Shire Oak Lasers and Great Barr Harriers with the former being the previous team of Wireless. The intel on his previous team was a brief couple of sentences stating that the keeper wasn’t all that, and the rest of them were just OK! So with this in mind we had nothing to fear and the gaffer gave his starting line up. The game kicks off and the Dragons are immediately on the back foot and concede an early corner, to which was drilled into the Dragons box and neatly tucked away to take an early lead! The dragons wiped the sleep from their eyes and started to play. Ash ‘The Flash’ rifled a shot against the upright that Wireless just fails to tuck away due to a good save by the keeper.
The Dragons had woken slightly and were beginning to play some good football. Jim aka Dynamo was trying his best to unlock the Lasers defence by using every conceivable trick in his repertoire. However it was a through ball from Wireless that allowed Dynamo through on goal but managed to pull his shot just wide of the mark. Captain Marvel and The Beast were working well as a defensive unit ensuring attacks were thwarted and attacks were instigated. Freya the Slayer was causing mayhem on the wing using her guile and grit to A lasers attack led to another corner, which was whipped in and unfortunately the Rock lost sight in the low sun and the ball squirted into the Dragons net. Time was nearly up in the first half when the Beast hurled a ‘Delap’ esque throw into the Lasers box, to which The Flash turned on a six pence and smashed a shot at the Lasers keeper – great save! Half-time rang the changes with Aniallator, The Rocket and The Artful Dodger entering the fray with the instructions to attack, enjoy and don’t be frightened of trying something new!
Aniallator settled in well and showed a masterclass of ‘Alan Hutton’ esque defending – strong, consummate and highly effective!! A sortie into the Lasers half by the Beast led to a rasping shot being saved by the keeper for the Rocket to hit a shot come cross that fell to the Flash who banged it home. The Dragonettes (fans) were buoyed by the goal and the noise level began to increase. The Beast played a precision pass to the Rocket on the wing whose through ball to the Flash was belted passed the helpless keeper. Game on, level pegging this was going to be a fight to the death. The Dragons turn up the gas and peppered the Lasers goals with efforts from the Artful Dodger, The Beast and The Flash all striking the uprights, was this a sign that it wasn’t meant to be? A valiant Dodger was doing his all to try and conjure a bit of magic but his efforts were all thwarted, not through a lack of trying! The Lasers broke into the Dragons half and conceded another corner and yet again a quality cross manages to evade the Dragons defence and divert pass The Rock.
Match synopsis – A fairly even game that showed great desire from both sides. The only difference was the fact that the Dragons didn’t capitalize on their chances. If we had the rub of the green we would have been victorious! Next time we’ll get them!!
We made our way to pitch 3 and by the state of the pitch we were going to be in for a torrid time. The pitch looked like a ploughed field with deep tractor marks running the length of the pitch. At one point we sent a search party out to find Dodger and the Rocket as they fell down the divets. We faced up against a Great Barr team that were clearly well established, well drilled and had an array of skill within their team. Wireless was in goal showing his ability in all areas which also meant that the Rock was to venture out. The game kicked off and the GBH (Great Barr Harriers) were immediately pressing and controlling the flow of the game. The Dragons looked slow to the ball, whether the first game had taken its toll or some other factor was having an influence. Thinking about it now there was an Albion scout on the sidelines so maybe the kids were thinking, lets not give it our all as we wont get selected by the scout!!! It wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken and soon to be followed by another. Yes another corner evaded the Dragons and deflected passed Wireless. The GBH were physically strong and the Dragons were not giving it back. Instructions at halftime were to be strong, have belief, enjoy and do the basics well. The Dragons defence of Captain Marvel, The Beast, the Rock and Aniallator all showed great tenacity and strength in their tackling. Aniallator seems to home in on the ball and never misses an opportunity for a slide tackle. The physical battle intensified with various Dragons getting a wallop, Ash, Jim and Dodger all went down under heavy challenges with the latter unable to continue. Nurse Nicholls applying the magic sponge to varying success. The Dragons went another goal down after failing to clear the ball and resulted in a shot being fired passed Matty who was left exposed!
Match synopsis – The better team won and we can take comfort in the fact that they have been established a darn t sight longer!
Player of game #1 went to Ben The Beast for showing great desire and control – a worthy recipient!
Player of game #2 awarded by Dan (assistant coach) to Phoebe Captain Marvel Nicholls who showed great endeavor over the 2 games.
Thanks to all for supporting the Dragons – much appreciated – even you Nicholls
See you at training
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