The Essex Bhoys arrived at the Linford Christie Stadium on the back of a 4-0 win at Canning Town and looking to progress to the quarter finals of the Anagram Trophy.

Manager Simon Thomas looking to take some form into the next game, a 3rd round Essex Premier Cup match at Earls Colne, named a strong squad which included new-dad Aaron Baldwin who was missing in the win at Canning Town.

The pitch was going to make the game somewhat interesting and it would be an advantage to the team who got used to the surface quickest. With this being the Dragon's home venue, pre-kick off advantage to the Dragons!
United lost Joe Burton during the warmup, as he strained his groin muscle when taking a shot. He was pulled from the squad and replaced by Ben Burrows.

It was clear ten minutes from the kick off that pass backs to the keeper were a last resort as both stoppers miskicked their clearances due to the uneven ground.

Within 15 minutes, somewhat against the run of play, Dragons' took the lead. It was a shock and one that spurred on United, which, two minutes later, Brad Vaughan struck a shot which the keeper was equal to, parrying the ball away for a corner. Ten minutes later, Frank Craik found himself at the back-post, making some space, he shot through a batch of players, only to see his shot cannon off the post. United were knocking!!

Just after the half hour, Dragons should have doubled their lead. The ball was crossed into box, but the free header bounced wide of the post. It would be a chance which the home side would rue come the final whistle but one which could and should have changed the face of this cup tie.

Shortly after, a freekick from the right by Pat Kearney gave Vaughan and opportunity to head goalbound, but the onrushing keeper, who inadvertently took out his own player, was enough to put off the United defender who watched the ball bounce just outside the foot of the post.

The equaliser came on the stroke of half time. A corner was cleared to the edge of the box, where Tom Kearney was ready to drive the ball through a crowd of players, leaving the keeper stranded.

HT: Kensington Dragons 1-1 Catholic United

With the sun drawing down in the sky, the temperature seemed to plummet, with the only warm thing on the pitch being the referee's yellow card. In a game where the sides shared the 8 yellows awarded during the match, there were a lot of anxious challenges in the second half.

Chances went begging for both sides with both management teams knowing that the next goal could be crucial in the game. The yellow cards kept being given, four in the second half with Tom Kearney and Lance Akins finding their names in the book.

The deadlock was broken though, ten minutes into the half, through Lance Akins. Tom Kearney stood over a freekick five yards in from the corner flag and his near post drive was met by Akins who's left foot diverted the ball over the keeper.

Dragon's were still plugging away, mainly down the flanks so Pat Kearney and Aaron Clark were having one of their busier afternoons. Between the sticks, Woody Wells hands were kept warm, keeping out some longer range efforts, but it was Catholic who scored again with fifteen to play.

Frank Craik, having a great second half against a tiring left side, managed to cut inside through three players, beat a fourth and unleash a shot which had goal written all over it. However, the keeper parried the ball to his left, but not enough, as Lucas Polyblank was on hand to tuck home the rebound.

Craik almost carbon-copied his previous effort five minutes later, but although it beat the keeper this time, it smashed against the post. A fourth goal would have killed off this game but some twists in the story were still to be had.

With five minutes to play, the Dragon's grabbed their second and naturally their tails were up. Woody Wells was sent the wrong way with a shot which many suspected would be placed to his right but the Dragon's forward slyly drove to his left. Just one minute later, with Dragon's sending a long ball over the defence, the ball was adjudged to have touched Vaughan's arm, which the referee confirmed with his linesman. The resulting penalty was sent just past Well's left post, but the keeper had guessed correctly so it's quite possible the young stopper would have saved it had it been on target.

A penalty shootout was averted and an enjoyable match had finished 3-2 to the visitors, who now re-visit Chipperfield Corinthians in the quarter finals, the side who knocked them out of the Anagram's Trophy last season with an extremely late goal.

This media manager couldn't wait to get everything packed up and be in the warmth of the car, heat on full blast, ready for a 90 minute journey back home!!