2018 finally kicks off ......

Dragons share the spoils in 6 goal thriller!

After a 2-month weather-enforced break, the Dragons were finally on the move again with much anticipated fixture at Wilsden Wildcats.
A large crowd, undeterred by the cold, had gathered at the Wildcat’s ground to see the Dragons first fixture of 2018.
The game got off to a flying start with the Dragons having much of the early possession. For the first 15 minutes Silsden pressed the Wildcats back and had several near misses. The first clear cut attempt on goal came from the Wildcats though with Alex T having to leap like a gazelle to get his fingertips to a long range effort from Wilsden.
The first goal came against the run of play with the Wildcats combining well down the right before slotting home a low shot in the corner.
But the Dragons are made of stern stuff and they redoubled their efforts. Euan was like a tiger in defence showing some deft touches all game, Jack showed his usual composure combining well with Archie P on the left on many occasions and Archie N made some great tackles to keep the Wildcats out. It wasn’t long before Silsden got their just desserts with some good combination play on the left resulting in a ball coming in to Alfie L who showed great skill in letting the ball come across his body, beating the defender and shooting an unstoppable rocket into the Wildcats goal. So it was all square at half time.
The second half saw the game restart in the same the first half had ended. Some battling with hard but fair challenges coming in especially in midfield where welcome returnee Alfie S, Billy, Alfie L and Archie P really had to battle to stop Wilsden getting on top (particularly as there was no chance of substitutions) . And their efforts were well rewarded with a fantastically worked goal involving Jack and Alfie L, and Archie P combining from a throw-in to deliver a pinpoint cross which Evan proceeded to net with a masterful looping header.
It was now that the heavy pitch, the lack of substitutes (Wilsden had 5) and possibly the lack of recent matches started to tell and the Silsden lads started to visibly tire. Wilsden continued to attack and despite some heroic defending and goalkeeping, the Wildcats managed to equalise with another low shot....2-2.
The Wildcats had their tails up with about 10 minutes left and forced another goal to take them into a 3-2 lead and at this point a neutral observer might have expected the result to be a Silsden loss.
But a neutral observer doesn’t know the grit and determination in this Silsden team and to a man, from Alex in goal, Jack, Euan and Archie , Billy, Alfie, Alfie and Archie and Evan we have a side that, encouraged by their coaches to play their passing game was never going to give up and they got their reward with Archie P firing in from close range to level the score at 3-3.
A hard fought but fair game and a fine advert for football.