Kensington 3 Chelsea Elite 2

After a long weekend of training the young Dragons were well up for their last big match of the season and went out on the pitch really focused for the first time in a few weeks.

The hard work on pressing and shape in training was clear to see from the outset, with the midfield and forwards pressing Chelsea into mistakes.

After a couple of missed half chances and a clear penalty not given, a goal of real quality put the Dragons in front. Jamal at Right Midfield dummied inside and pinged a fifty yard switch ball to David on the Left Midfield who controlled in one touch, steadied himself and curled a beautiful cross into the box. The Dragons striker Darius read the play and rose majestically to find the top corner from 12 yards with a truly magnificent header.

HT 1-0. The manager asked for even more at Half time and the Dragons produced early with David again causing trouble. His whipped low cross confused the keeper who could only palm into his own net.

But these Dragons never like it easy and conceded territory and possession thinking the job maybe done. After 70 minutes it was 2-2 after a couple of sloppy concessions and Chelsea where now confident of pushing on to win over the now deflated Dragons. However, a canny couple of substitutions and tactical switches got them back on track and the 10 minutes left with Darius side footed from 12 yards after a set piece mix up to put them ahead once more. Another change of shape and some outstanding back foot defending nullified the threat leaving the opposition players and coaches bemused.

The attendance was close to 100 on the day.

Headstone Manor 3 Kensington DFC 3

The U18's Dragons arrived at Headstone Manor FC just as the heavens opened and it seemed to dampen their spirits as well as drench their coaching staff and substitutes.

A loose midfield pass led to a counter and a very soft Headstone penalty. The visitors were 2 down shortly after as the keeper came out, no one thought to guard the empty net and the striker composed himself and slotted home. The reaction was good though and the end of the half saw the young Dragons hit the woodwork 3 times and very unlucky to go in 2 goals down. The comeback seemed inevitable after the break but the job was made even harder with the referee awarding another penalty rather than a 6.0 for the dive over the defending Dragon and into the box, 3-0.

However the Dragons are made of stern stuff and after the striker finally found his shooting boots to power one back, the management reshuffled into a 3-5-2 to rescue the situation.
Five minutes later the lead was only one after a good move down the left leaving the Dragons MoM midfielder to slot home at the far post.
The ref however had one more contribution, this time awarding a soft away pen and it was 3-3.
A great comeback in an average performance but the Dragons still left unhappy as they had 3 or 4 good chances to steal all the points at the death but failed to find the target.
 FT 3-3

Heathrow Club 0 Kensington DFC 1

the under 18's were away at Heathrow looking to consolidate a top 3 league finish.

There was a little lack of focus early on allowing the opposition to get a foothold in the game.
The Dragon's keeper had to make one sharp save before they eventually took hold of the game and half chances came and went with some help from an opposition linesman seemingly determined to keep his side level.

Training

After a stern reminder from the manager on keeping possesion and an inspirational captains huddle the young Dragons dominated the 2nd half with many close calls and a missed penalty. However they would not be denied, some great work from the left back forcing the keeper to save only for the penalty culprit to nip in and grab the winner.
FT 0-1 The Dragons are still top but with 2 teams close behind with a few games in hand.

Back In Management

I have recently taken over my old under 18s, a decision that I had to think hard about.


I had been away from management for eight months. Scouting, spending time with family and my full time chef job was what I had to concentrate on and stepping back in would be giving some time up.

I was asked by the outgoing manager Mustafa as a favour to manage until the end of season. He had been my assistant for 2 seasons until this season started (1 season at a different club). When I first brought him on board, It was his first job as a coach but after 2 seasons he wanted to try his hand at managing, so I stepped aside as I had another u18 team I worked with midweek, therefore giving him a break into management.

Having taken the squad from under 13s where we had started in the 3rd division all the way into the Premiership at u17s, I had the chance to step into a higher standard of youth football and be appointed director of football at another club, whilst still working with some of my players from the previous club going in between and having the same assistant was never like leaving.

But after 2 seasons at my then new club, it was hard to implement a good standard without any support or financial stability. The role also included me taking over the first team who had been suspended from the league due to ground grading. So after a long summer of setting up a new squad to play in a lower league, the plug was pulled due to a sudden merger set to happen the year after and the Chairman not being able to find any support to help run the club in the admin side. So with all this I decided to take some time off.

So now the return to management...

I had watched the team on three occasions. On two occasions at the manager’s request as they encountered the derby rivals and he felt more at ease (his own words) with me on the sideline.

Mustafa called me to say he had gotten a job coaching a 4th division team in Sweden, a full time coaching position that he had longed for. I was pleased as it was something he had mentioned in conversations.

Mustafa had a word with the chairman and both wanted me to take the team as I knew some of the boys and would distract very little from the league.

True I had managed 6 of the players but there was another bunch I had only seen play once at one stage or another, but I didn’t know anyone’s strengths and weaknesses’, so when the news were broken to the squad that I would be taking over and the manager departing, this was the only transition of management, I was asked not to come on board until 3 weeks after, and with only 1 training session before a double header game against one of the teams hot on our heels and who had knocked them out of the cup.

Two weeks have passed, we have had 3 games, 3 victories which means top of the table but we have a few games ahead of the rivals.

I have enlisted 2 new coaches who have both worked with me and are also first team players for my current team to which the boys have taken to.

But training attendance at the moment is not to my standards, but with transfer window closed, it makes hard to drop and recruit players.

But like I said I will only do it until the end of the season and see if offers to either the first team or at another senior club come along next season.