The question on everyone’s mind before the game was how would the dragons fair after a relatively straight forward win last week they come up against an opposition they secured 4 points from 6 against last season but who were also celebrating the start of the new season with 3 points under their belt. Injuries and other commitments saw the dragons starting 11 change for the 6th game running with Christian coming into goal, Weston and Jamo on the wings, Nike into the midfield and Damo slotting in at left back.
The dragons started their first home game of the new campaign in style with Nike and Christmas in the middle looking to dominate the opposition from the off and some slick inter change passing allowing Weston to link up well with Bateman and Ant up front. It was the dragons who looked the most likely to score and a superbly delivered corner from Nike saw Bateman evade his man and head downwards to the bottom right hand corner only for the keeper to pull off a miraculous save. It wasn’t long before Batemans persistence got its just reward some neat play in the middle releasing Bateman down the right, with no one in the box he had the cheek to curl a lob into the fall left hand corner leaving the keeper with no chance, great goal and 1-0 dragons.
No sooner had Plough Albion’s had kicked off had they found themselves level a simple long ball from the middle of the park seemed to cause havoc with the dragons back 4 a simple lay off from the striker into the path of his team mate saw the Albion’s striker smash the ball home to level the tie 1-1, great finish to say the least but the dragons should be asking themselves how he was allowed so much time in the 18 yard box to pick his spot. Surely you think this would be the catalyst for the dragons to turn on the style, it was the complete opposite for the next 20 minutes poor ball retention, composure and the inability to pick up runners saw the opposition dominate proceedings with the dragons crying out for the half time whistle.
The away side who’s quick passing and movement off the ball, created further chances but some last ditch tackling and blocking prevented another further shots raining down on Christian. What was more worrying the dragons looked rushed in the final third struggling to carve open any further serious threats on goal after they started so lively in the opening 15 minutes, the dragons went into half time tied 1-1 but lucky to be still in the game. The dragons walked off at half time deflated with the opening 45 minutes and with the gaffer reading the riot act and a few heated exchanges of words amongst players saw the dragons take to the field for the second half.
The riot act didn’t seem to give the dragons what they needed and they soon found themselves behind, a silly free kick given away on the touch line saw a hopeless delivery into the box but somehow the centre forward was left completely unmarked and he did what any one should do and punish their opponents for poor marking 2-1 Albion’s. This was it for Mussolini he rung the changes with Ross coming on at right back for Reggie and skipper Adams returning to the field for Mchattie, the dragons seemed to become more composed. Matt and Nike begun to dominate their opposition again in the middle of the park which gave a great platform for the dragons to attack from, however with Ant struggling with injury Mussolini was resorted to bringing on Jamie Williams which he was looking to rest as he was already carrying a knock, this saw Nike go up top and Jamo into the middle and Jamie out wide.
The dragons begun to get the ball to their major outlet this season and what originally seemed a simple pass to Williams on the half way line was about to change the course of the game, Williams picked up a pass into feet and set off like forest gump determined for nothing to stop him. He skipped past the first 3 men as if they were never there, only to have the cheek then to skin the 2 centre half’s and then for the hard part with his shooting boots so far this season not matching his skill and pace he calmly slotted the ball into the far right corner 2-2 dragons, a contender for goal of the season but most importantly this seemed to lift the home side. The dragons soon found themselves in front of this up and down tie, a great cross by Weston in the box saw Bateman leap like a Salmon and placed on the 18 yard he bent his neck 360 degrees to head the ball into the far hand corner 3-2 dragons.
An injury to the skipper Jamie Adams saw the dragons having to battle out the last 10 minutes with 10 men, some great work down the left saw Jamie W cross the ball in only for the defender to steer the ball into his own net 4-2 dragons. While Albion’s pressed men forward the back 4 held resolute and the final whistle came to the relief of the home side, who know on another day they may not have got the3 points. The dragons with a week break next week now need to turn their attention to 4 massive games against without doubt against their toughest opposition for the season. They need to play better otherwise they could find themselves from top of the league with 6 points from 6 to scrapping down the other end of the table as their up and coming opponents will not let them off so lightly.
However they should take heart from this performance and in previous seasons I have seen them play a lot better and still not get the 3 points, the sign of a league winning side is sometimes grinding out results even when you are not all at the races, good win though well done lads.
Reporters Golden Awards for Sunday:
Touch of the Game – No one stood out this week, really but a special mention has to go to Nike & Christmas in the middle some outstanding defence cutting passing and non stop running really help the dragons dominate the second half.
Goal / Move of The Game – Without doubt one winner, Jamie Williams picks the ball up on the half way line with 5 players to beat surely the task is too much even for twinkle toes Williams with the game posed at 2-1. Jamie picks up the ball, skips past the first 3 players like they were not even there at the edge of the box he beats the 2 centre half’s but then there’s a problem. He is about 15 yards out with only the keeper to beat, he seems to have provided himself with an age to finish the ball, and he calmly slots the ball into the far right corner with the keeper peerless to stop it. Surely bookies favourite for goal of the season already????
Risk of the Game – The dragons in ability to keep hold of possession first half with miss placed passes and long ball tactics made the dragons struggle to get into the game in the first 45 minutes.
Worst Tackle – With Nike & Tom both on the field together and the worst tackle award tied at 2 games each surely one of these would take the lead in this seasons running battle. However to be fair the game was played in a good spirit throughout and the winner this week was Jamie Adams coming on as a substitute second half, he took out the striker with a late challenge in the far corner only for him to be stretched off himself with a nasty ankle injury. Hopefully the dragon’s skipper will be back in action in a few weeks after missing a few games due to wedding commitments.
Tekkers of the Game – You could say Jamie’s goal was unbelievable tekkers which it was, but the winner this week is Stephen Bateman not sure if what he is having for breakfast on a Sunday morning or the fact that the pressure is off now that Jodie has said yes to marrying him. But he had the cheek out of a simple flick into his feet in the 18 yard box and with his back to the goal, he flicked the ball up onto his chest and with the spin worthy of a top ballerina show he spun his man and scissor kicked a left footed shot which had the keeper beat only for the inside of the post to come to Albion’s rescue.
Save of the Game – Without doubt with the Dragons 2-1 down into the second half the striker raced onto a through ball, only for Christian to spread himself like Peter Schemicael in his prime and with an outstretched leg he saved what surely would have been the final nail in the coffin for the dragons...great save.
Funny Moment – I think even though it is harsh to see James Lewis actually compete for his first header in the air for 5 years at the club, he got smashed down like Mike Tyson giving a famous left handed hook. Jamo jumps to compete for the ball to be absolutely flatten from behind by the Albion’s right back, I had a giggle to myself sorry mate.
Reporters Man of the Match – I think no one could argue with this but for a prestigious 3 weeks running in the dragons inaugural writers awards the winner this week again goes to Stephen Bateman. An absolute master class from the Dragons font man again, with another 2 well taken goals and only some fine saves from the keeper in the first half and the post in the second he could have bagged a few more. His overall work rate and bravery was to be admired and even a dead leg and a tight hamstring he led the line to the very end. Maybe him having a tan all year round is making him play well!! Awesome performance again fella...
