Longbar Dragons

Longbar Dragons 3 Les Bleus 1 Following a dismal performance against the Krauts last week, the Longbar Dragons bounced back in some style to secure three valuable points and gain their first ever victory in the SIFL. Only one week ago they looked a team that was disorganised, tired and lacking ideas. But one week in Football is a long time and some transformation has taken place. Although their injury woes and availablity list continues to disavantage them, this looked like a team more hungry to win. Dan Hughes stepped in to the back in the absence of Rick Howard, who was having therapy in Manilla and his influence from the back was felt throughout the team. The renewed strength from the whole back four gave the Dragons the building block from which to attack the surprised French. Its clear that their was a planned strategy from Golding, the head Coach, in using all of the 18 players named on the day to their advantage. The tireless Heavin and the young Kincheloe started up front to make the French defense work hard and help break them down. This was something lacking in the Dragons earlier games and worked much better than Golding could have expected. Trialist Joe Berney, had been held back from the starting line up due to his lack of match practice and his prolonged therapy sessions similar to those practiced by the eminent Dr Howard. When introduced 10 minutes into the first half for Kincheloe, his contribution was immediate as he struck two goals in quick succession. This allowed the Dragons to dominate the first half as the creative midfield of Soares and Weidensjo continued to present the French with problems whilst Peters and Yao with the back four of Emsley, Cole, Hughes and Yap worked hard to stem any attack the Freanch tried to put together. Both Heavin and Berney where rested for the final 15 minutes of the first half as the fresher legs of Marjesky and Hawkins were brought on to maintain the pressure and help the team to maintain its lead. 2:0 was how it stayed till half time. The second half saw some further forced changes to the Dragons side as some players required treatment. This seemed to temporarily unsettle the side and allowed the French to build a sustained period of pressure which finally resulted in a French goal. Keeper Hughes came out for a ball being contested between Jerome De Goyon and Cole and was caught with a lob by the frechman into the open net. This was the one time Hughes put a foot wrong as he continued to frustate the French attack with important stops. It was at these points in their earlier games that the Dragons had lost their way. Not today. Following some restructuring from the touchline they began to force their way back in to the play and were once again creating chances to score. On a better day, Berney could have had two more goals on the score sheet but on this occasion was incidental. Captain Peter Harris, getting back to his best, was unlucky to hit the post from an excellent volley and was finally rewarded when his shot, inside the box, came down off the cross bar and was judged to have crossed the line before bouncing back in to the arms of the Freach keeper. No Russian linesman insight and the video was as inconclusive as the famous 'Hurst' incidence in 1966 but they all count and maybe the Dragons luck is also turning. The French had gone through a period of synical tackles and off the ball incidents which was clearly indicative of their frustration. The goal from Harris finally killed off any resitance they had left. After the game, Golding spoke to our reporter. "We were feeling very low after last weeks result and have worked hard to put alot of things right. Im very proud of the team today because they did almost everything I asked and showed great character". When asked about the new boy Berney and his two goal contribution Golding added "he has now finished with his Pool therapy and Im sure we can expect a lot more from him in the coming weeks. We still need to negotiate his contract". This result now makes the next encounter in the league cup between the two teams on the 14 December even more interesting. Hold on to your hats and lets see what other scalps The Dragons may take along the way. Next match, Vikings. Reporters Man of Match Byron Cole "a rock"