Cardiff Dragons visited London to play Leftfooters for the first time in the GFSN League in their final match before the season’s Christmas break. The game turned out to be very evenly matched with a draw being a fair result on the day.

In the first half Leftfooters created the best early chances with the pace of their wingers causing problems for the the Dragons defence and following a shot tipped round the post by Kris L the hosts took the lead on the quarter hour mark when a well taken chance found the back of the net via a post. Following the goal the Dragons made changes and re-organised defensively and were soon back in the game following the award of a free kick to the left hand side of the penalty area. Chris Crimmins stepped up to take the kick and his dipping shot beat the home keeper to level the scores. Clear cut chances were limited for the rest of the half as both defences nullified any attacks and the score remained 1-1 at the interval.

Both sides made team and positional changes in the second half in an attempt to take control of the game but the scoreline remained deadlocked as both defences continued to perform well. There were some half chances created with Kris Llewellyn gathering a low drive from a leftfooters attempt and with the Dragons midfield working tirelessly and winning a lot of ball this allowed Mark Biggs and Chris Crimmins to have attempts but although on target their shots were saved by the home keeper. Despite much effort neither side could force a winner in what was another highly competitive and close encounter between the teams as the game ended 1-1. Once again the Dragons had excellent support on the day with many members travelling up for the game.

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Dragons : Kris Llewellyn, Amy Johnson, Ray Wilson, Anthony Read (capt), Jason Cousins, Aris Dasilva, Lucas Owen, Edwin Lyons, Stefan Morgan, Samuel Ashton, Hywel Jones, Mark Biggs, Chris Crimmins, Darrin Hughes, Lucy Lockwood, Graeme Monk, John Ainsley.

GFSN League, Leftfooters Hide

A moment of Dragons history was created on Sunday when in their first season in the league they claimed their first GFSN league victory with a win away to Brighton Bandits.

Despite heavy overnight rain the pitch was in excellent condition and condusive to good football. The Dragons were quick to impose themselves on the game with some excellent link up play down both wings and this resulted in good early chances for Read and Biggs as Brighton struggled to cope with the pace and incision of the attacks.

At the other end Brighton created their first real opportunity on the 15 minute mark when a ball through the middle caught out the visitors defence however the hosts centre forward dragged his shot wide when well placed. Chances continued to come for the Dragons however as Ashton and Read won a lot of ball in midfield as the team took the game to Brighton whilst remaining solid and organised in defence. The pressure finally told when a ball across the box from Crimmins was finished from close range by Biggs sparking celebrations from the Dragons players and supporters. Brighton’s attacks were sporadic but they were unlucky not to equalise on the half hour mark when a fine volley from outside the box rattled the crossbar. With half time approaching the Dragons continued to threaten with some dangerous balls into the Bandits area causing some panic in the home defence. They should have extended their lead when Harris having got onto the end of one of these balls just failed to convert from close range and the home keeper was able to gather the ball. Half time was soon to follow with the Dragons 1-0 up at the break.

The start of the second half was a fairly scrappy affair for the first 10 minutes or so as Brighton tried to get back into the game. With LLewellyn in goal and the Dragons back four of Johnson, Harvey, Germain and Wilson all having solid games though they were unable to settle and force any sustained pressure. The Dragons were forced to make changes on the hour mark when Lyons who was having an effective game was forced off with a head injury. This however did not effect the Dragons unduly as they re-organised remaining in control of the game. The lead could have been extended midway through the half when Harvey found space to have a free header on the 6 yard box from a corner but this flew just wide of the far post.

The Dragons came even closer to extending their lead twice in the next few minutes minutes when first a free kick from Crimmins was well tipped over and then another long range shot from Crimmins came back off the bar with the keeper well beaten. While the score was still at 1-0 Brighton still had hope but despite making changes and forcing a few corners the visiting defence dealt with them well with Llewellyn making an excellent punch clear from one which swung in dangerously towards goal. The Dragons however remained a threat all the way through to the end forcing corners of their own and fashioning another excellent chance but Crimmins’ fierce shot from inside the area was parried well by the home goalkeeper. The support for the Dragons from those who were able to travel was as enthusiastic as ever and a great lift to the players as the team played out the final few minutes to seal the victory.

Dragons: Kris Llewellyn, Amy Johnson, Murray Harvey, Cedric Germain, Ray Wilson, John Ainsley, Anthony Read, Sam Ashton, Ed Lyons, Mark Biggs, Chris Crimmins, Stuart Harris, Jason Cousins, Lucy Lockwood.

Bandits, Brighton, GFSN League Hide

A very disappointing afternoon for the Dragons as the harsh realities of the GFSN League set in, but as always a valuable learning experience considering our lack of experience. The game was played in good weather conditions on our excellent new home pitch at the University Playing Fields in Llanrumney. With the two sides meeting on the pitch for the first time the game began fairly evenly with both teams playing some good passing football in the opening 10 minutes, the Dragons employing a 4-5-1 formation for the first time this season – a formation designed to make it easier to play some cohesive football and defend in numbers. This worked well in the initial stages but a combination of unfamiliarity with this system, and poor application, allowed Newcastle to create chances and they were soon 3-0 up after a series of defensive errors allowed the opposition too much space in and around the area.

An injury to Sam Ashton, who was replaced by Lucas Owen in an unfamiliar centre-midfield position, contributed to a continuation with well taken chances and opportunistic finishing the visitors, who found themselves 6-0 up by the 35 minute mark. The Dragons had the odd excursion into Newcastle territory with Ed Lyons having a couple of half chances. The last 10 minutes of the half was more encouraging after Anthony Read exchanged his right-back position with the lost-looking Owen, and despite territory gained by the Dragons, the possession lacked final product.

The second half again started encouragingly for the hosts with some good passing movements allowing Newcastle less time to settle. The half was pretty even for the first 15 minutes but the visitors extended their lead with a fortunate goal as a clearance rebounded to one of their players in front of goal. In a similar vein to the first half this gave the Panthers a lift and they took full opportunity of many of the chances they were allowed with excellent finishing. The Dragons did fashion chances of their own – the best of these falling to Kris Llewellyn and Ed Lyons, but they could not capitalise on these. As usual a good level of fitness and application was shown to the end. Three more Dragons substitutes were introduced for the final 10 minutes as the game was played out with no further goals.

Overall despite the result there was some cohesive football played at times against a team that will be challenging for the title this season. However, a catalogue of individual errors and the squad’s unfamiliarity with playing a 4-5-1 formation contributed to a very harsh scoreline.

GFSN League, Newcastle, Panthers Hide

After much hard work over the last year, a piece of Dragons history was created on Sunday when they traveled to Nottingham to play in their first ever GFSN National League game versus Nottingham Ballbois.

With Nottingham defending their title and the Dragons going into unknown territory the game had a slightly nervous feel to it at the beginning with both sides not quite sure what to expect from each other. The score remained goalless for the first 15 minutes with the Ballbois having a couple of shots over the bar from the edge of the area and the Dragons nearly fashioning a good opportunity when Kris Llewellyn was put through but the Ballbois goalkeeper came out quickly to clear the danger. Ballbois then took the lead with an unfortunate own goal following a high ball through the middle. This settled the home side and their experience showed as they dominated the middle of the half scoring further goals with two fine headers from excellent crosses and two close range finishes from crosses which weren’t dealt with.

With the score at 5-0 the Dragons re-organised with Harvey dropping back to assist the defense. Jacobo looked a threat whenever he got the ball but with some mazey runs but the home defense dealt with him well. Lucas Owen fired just over the angle of the goal with a sweet turning left-footed volley from outside the area just before the break, as the Dragons tried to get a foothold back in the game.

Following a half time pep talk the Dragons settled quickly and started the second half in strong fashion having some long spells of play in the Ballbois half with the pressure culminating in a deserved goal, with Harvey finished well from close range following good work by Jacobo. This pressure continued and 5 minutes later a good move down the right saw Lyons reduce the deficit further with a fine header into the corner of the net from a good cross by Chris Crimmins. The Dragons continued to have the bulk of the play and a further excellent opportunity came when Jacobo struck a curling free kick from the edge of the area which was superbly blocked on the line only for the follow up shot also to be well blocked away for a corner.

With the Dragons continuing to cause problems the game became a little heated and, with Nottingham beginning to get anxious, they introduced three substitutes in an attempt to regain control. This paid dividends as, with little to play for, a superb angled shot from the edge of the area flew in off the far post to extend the Ballbois lead to 6-2. The Dragons continued to press and gain good territory with some good long throws from Owen causing problems in the home defence and Lyons having a clear chance from close range but firing just over the bar. With 10 minutes remaining the Ballbois broke and added a 7th goal from a finish following a cross and the scoring was completed when a hopeful punt forward unfortunately caught out goalkeeper Amos and landed in the corner of the net.

Ballbois, GFSN League, Nottingham Hide