Here we are again, Back to football and back to what we love so much. It has been way too long and it was brilliant to get back out there.

A summer with lots of changes, New faces, saying goodbye to players and learning how to play together all again. These lads never stop impressing us with their quality, Understanding and Dedication to the team and their friends.

What a day for it, glorious sunshine, September chill, BACK on Dragons green. It was going to be a tough test against a very decent Buxted. Last year we had 2 very close games against them. We lost the first one 2-1 at home but got our lickback in the 3-2 win at their ground.
Both teams wanted to start the season off strong and you knew it was going to be a physical battle from the first whistle.

Starting with a squad of 15, the lads were up for it, every single one. We started off with Freddie H in goal and a back 4 of Charlie, Ethan, Jack and Dean. Midfield we went with Ellis, Cam, Sam and Alafy while Stephen and Liam completed our Starting Line up. Our Bench had a great amount of depth with Blu, Stan, Praveen and Freddie O all taking their spots.

Team talk before the game and there was a few moments where i was worried the lads were a bit too calm but as soon as that whistle went, they were up for it. Within the first 2 minutes we came close to opening the scoring through some brilliant work from Alafy on the left and a great cross from Ellis on the right. Stephen's header just went over the bar before Liam's Header was agonizingly wide. Both teams grew into the game and were looking to get a hold of the ball but we were honestly the better side. Holding Buxted to multiple offsides while working the ball around to create chance after chance. We were confident we could break them down and get opportunities.

In the 23rd minute, we won a corner after some brilliant work. Stephen stepped up and hit a peach of a delivery towards the back post where our Captain, the BFG, BIG FRIENDLY GERMAN, Cam, rose and met the ball with a thumping header into the back of the net for 1-0.

From here we were in cruise control. Keeping the ball when we needed too, trying different attacks and when we did give up the ball, our defence were strong, winning it back or getting Freddie out to claim it. Battling all over the pitch and doing their best to take the game to Buxted. A shove to Jack meaning he landed on his knee saw Blu came on for Jack with 7 to go before the half.

We were in the drivers seat before a mix up in defence gave the Buxted team a chance right before the half. Now most people wont call their own kids out here but i will. Buxted took a chance with the low driven free kick and Stephen stuck his foot out and directed it past Freddie for 1-1 and an own goal. Damn it Stephen.

HT - TD - 1 - Buxted - 1

Now at the half the lads were brilliant. They listened to myself and Nigel and what we were doing well and what we could do to take the lead in this game. The confidence, the positivity and how vocal the lads were, was brilliant and such an encouraging sign.

This showed that even with some subs - Jack for Dean, Praveen for Ellis, Stan for Sam, this didn't disrupt the flow.

Within the first 2 minutes of the half kicking off, we had won the ball back, drove towards the Buxted goal and won another corner. Stephen stepped up again and drove a great cross into the box, forcing the keeper to tip it into the middle of the box and Cam, our BFG, arriving late into the box, finished with a half volley on his weak foot into the back of the net! Outstanding! 2-1.

We continued to press and create chances while Buxted were struggling to deal with the intensity the lads bought to the second half. Ethan, Blu, Jack and Freddie were so strong at the back while Charlie stepped up at Right back and was unbeatable. Cam, Stan, Alafy and Praveen were working hard in the midfield while Liam & Stephen were like workhorses up top.

We got our 3rd not long after 55 minutes with another set piece. Stephen again with a brilliant driven ball across to the far post which after a clever run & Header back across goal by Liam, was met at the near post by Alafy who cut it back into the path of Praveen who finished calmly with his weak foot for a debut goal! Congrats Praveen! 3-1.

The game didn't slow down from here and both teams were trying their best to push forward for the next goal.
Freddie H pulled off an outstanding block with 60 minutes on the clock while getting a kick to the groin for his endeavors. No magic sponge could help with that and Massive credit to Freddie for finishing the match with basically one leg! We made a few changes at this point with Dean coming back on for Ethan while Freddie O came on for Stephen.

This did cause a bit of a stoppage so we had nearly 8 minutes additional time. However with 72 minutes on the clock, the boys killed off the game. Praveen won the ball high up the pitch after some brilliant work and drove at the defence before sending a through ball into the run of Sam. Sam took a touch before finishing calmly past the keeper with his weak foot into the bottom corner for 4-1.

The boys then just kept the ball, kept battling and saw the game out. Rotational subs were made to make sure everyone got a good amount of minutes and played multiple roles. Cam came off to a standing ovation from the lads which was quality!

FT - TD - 4 - BUXTED - 1

An outstanding, stand out performance from the lads, honestly one of the best in memory. To go out there and make a statement like that its really impressive & to do it with multiple new team mates & new roles is even more impressive. A huge credit to every single one of the lads!

A shout out to Freddie H in goal for being a warrior out there on one leg for a majority of the second half. A shout out to Nigel for running the line and coping all sorts of verbal abuse.

MOTM- Cam S - What a way to start the season, Two fantastic finishes timed to perfection. Leading by example in midfield and being positive and vocal throughout. A captains performance.