(U8 Sporting Conference)

Dragons dominated the early stages, Patrick had a shot across the face of goal from a corner in the first minute and the Eaton Bray keeper tipped another of his shots round the post.  Dragons continued to press and could have taken the lead from a goal mouth scramble.  The Bray defence managed to clear only to Harry on the edge of the box, but his shot was cleared off the line.  Rakeem eventually broke the deadlock in the 6th minute when he drilled in a good shot.

Dragons were in confident mood and were attacking at will.  Patrick took the ball down the left and crossed it but both Orkun & Lucas missed the ball.  Orkun then had a long range effort saved by the keeper.  In a rare venture into the Dragons half, Eaton Bray won a corner.  They picked out their striker who shot straight past Jake to equalise against the run of play.

Dragons responded with a blistering run from Orkun down the left.  He deliverer a lovely cross but unfortunately Joseph missed his kick.  Two minutes before half time, Patrick made an opportunity for himself and restored the lead when his shot was deflected past the keeper off of the defenders head.  Orkun had another fine run before half time taking it all the way into the EB area.  The keeper dived at his feet but he rounded him well and unselfishly passed for Rakeem to claim his second and Dragons third.  HT 3-1.

Brian changed things around at half time with Jake up front and Orkun taking the keepers gloves.  Boro had good spells of possession and kept EB pinned in their own half for long spells.  A rare EB break caused confusion in the Dragon's defence with Harrison & Connor only managing to knock the ball into the air.  The loose ball fell to the EB striker and his shot was saved well by Orkun.  Encouraged by this Bray had a couple of other chances by Boro defended well.  Harrison played the ball out of defence to Patrick, he switched it to Joseph on the other side of the pitch, who took it on and side footed it in past the keeper to make it 4-1.

With three minutes left EB pushed forward.  Their striker turned Harry and his fierce shot went into the bottom corner of the net for what seemed like a consolation goal.  Bray advanced again forcing the ball over the line following a goal mouth scramble - 4-3.

Bray had the bit between their teeth now and pushed forward looking for an equaliser.  Dragons had less than one minute to keep them out but were looking a bit shaken.  Bray broke through the midfield and their striker managed to get past the defence and fire in a fierce shot to level at 4-4 - unbelievable!

Goals: Rakeem (2), Patrick, Joseph 

Man of the Match: Harrison (see photo)

(U8 Sporting Conference)

The Dragons started well with lots of possession.  Orkun shot just wide and Lucas also had an early opportunity.  Rakeem made a great run from his own half, crossed for Orkun who put it narrowly wide.  Joseph then made a good break and Rakeem put his shot just over.  The break through came after 9 minutes with a Rakeem run down the left, he crossed for Joseph who knocked the ball in.

Eaton Bray hadn't seen much of the ball but did force three corners which were defended well.  Rakeem made another great run through the middle, taking the ball round several defenders but his shot was saved by the keeper at the near post.

All Boro's good work was undone when a penalty was conceeded with 3 mins of the half left.  Jake, seeing virtually his first action of the match, dived the right way but couldn't keep it out.  Bray were buoyed by the equaliser and shot just over from a corner.  In first half injury time Dragons pushed forward but left themselves short at back.  The Eaton Bray striker broke down the middle and with Harrison unable to catch him they took the lead.

Needing to chase the game in the second half, Boro had a couple of early chances.  Joseph had a shot just wide straight from the kick off.  Lucas picked up a stray ball and tried to flick it over the keeper but it was saved.  Dragons were having lots of possession in the Bray half, with even Harrison getting forward.  Orkun had a great shot which the keeper only saved at the second attempt. 

The visitors were still dangerous on the break and scored their third from a corner after an earlier shot had been deflected wide. 

It was not going to be Dragon's day as Orkun put a shot from Rakeem's cross agonisingly past the post and Lucas also shot wide.

Goals:  Joseph

Man of the Match: Orkun (see photo)

(U8 Sporting Conference)

Both teams started well and the game was evenly matched for the first 10 mins before Falcons scored the first goal.  Their tricky #8 had a good run, weaving through the Dragon's defence and put the ball past Jake into the bottom left hand corner.  Dragons and Falcons both passed the ball well and the the first half continued to be end to end.

Crawley got on top in the second half with Jake making a good save and they also had a shot narrowly over the bar.  Patrick had a shot and Rakeem made a couple of good runs, to no avail.  The Falcons #8 made another great run taking the ball out wide and scoring from a narrow angle across the face of goal.  Two minutes later Falcons won a corner that the Dragons defence failed to clear and CG put away for their third.

Rakeem had a breakaway opportunity but the keeper got to it first.  Straight away, Crawley got the ball back into the Dragons danger area and Harry conceded an unfortunate penalty.  Their striker put the kick to Jake's left, he dived the right way and pushed it past the post - great save!

Rakeem took the ball straight down the other end but was foiled by the keeper again.  Dragons also won a free kick and a corner but couldn't find a goal.  Falcons had a one-on-one with Jake who narrowed the angle well and the striker put it wide.

Joseph & Rakeem put some neat passing together around the Falcon's box late on. They knocked the ball back to Patrick who's last gasp shot was saved as it headed towards the top corner.

Goals:  none

Man of the Match: Rakeem (see photo)