Dragons struggle again away from home

1st Quarter
Harvey (GK), Harry T, Will L, Ollie, Lennon, Thomas.
A very even and tight opening quarter. The Dragons best chance came from Lennon breaking down the right and putting in a super cross but unfortunately none of our boys could get on the end of it. We defended superbly but really struggled to pose any real threat going forwards. The quarter finished with a succession of corners for Dudley Hill but our boys defended them comfortably. Dudley Hill did create a good chance but their big number 9 put his effort wide.
0 – 0

2nd Quarter
Ollie (GK), Harry T, Will L (Thomas), Evan, Lennon, Harry MS.
The second quarter proved to be very similar to the first with the Dragons having to do a lot of defending but not offering a lot going forward. That said we did look comfortable. Unfortunately the Dragons found themselves a goal down. Will L took a bit of a knock on his ankle and as we were bringing Thomas on to replace him Dudley Hill took a quick throw in. In the confusion none of our boys had picked up the Dudley Hill player and he was clean through and finished to make 1 – 0 to the home team. Dudley Hill had brought on two very pacey forwards and they started to cause us one or two problems and it took a fantastic double save from Ollie to stop Dudley Hill going two in front after a quick break.
1 – 0

3rd Quarter
Ollie (GK), Harry T, Will L, Evan, Thomas, Harry MS.
We started the third quarter very positively and we had a good effort from Harry T go just wide. Again we had some defending to and again we looked solid. Ollie produced another fine save to deny Dudley Hill a second but an unfortunate own goal (the ball going through Ollie’s legs) from a corner saw our boys heads drop for the first time in the game. Dudley finished the quarter strong and made it 3 – 0 with a good low shot on the break.
3 – 0

4th Quarter
Harvey (GK), Harry T, Will L, Ollie, Thomas, Lennon.
Great credit to our boys they pulled themselves together and finished the game very strongly. First Lennon putting Thomas through only for the Dudley Hill keeper to make a great save. Harvey was excellent in goal as he had been in the first quarter. The Dragons got themselves a goal back after some excellent work in midfield from Ollie passing to Harry T who played a lovely through ball to put Lennon through who calmly finished into the bottom corner. A consolation goal but a well deserved one.
3 – 1

Summary.
An absolutely fantastic game to watch fought out between two evenly matched teams. A great welcome from the Dudley Hill team and I definitely am looking forward to the return fixture.
The Dragons really found themselves two down from a goal scored whilst a man down and an own goal. Dudley Hill had probably shaded it overall but I think we have a good solid team and we have a great chance of reversing the result at home in a few weeks time.

In goal Ollie and Harvey were both very brave and solid. In defense Harry T and Will L look a strong back pairing. In midfield and up front great energy from Lennon, Thomas, Evan and Harry MS was extremely pleasing. We need to work on turning defense into attack and not stopping after a tackle or a pass.
Will L got man of the match for his solid work in defense and improved tackling.