Iguanas v Dunmow United Dragons

A home game for Iguanas this week, against a Dunmow Dragons team we beat away in December. Coming into the game still on a high after last weeks win, confidence was high and Iguanas made a bright start to the half. Early chances fell to Rafe and Maddison, who both had shots scrambled off of the goal line. A few early chances went Dunmow Dragons’ way too, but Ollie in goal dealt with them with ease, with some great defending from Cole and Jake.

Jake and Cole were getting some lovely passes forward to Rafe and Maddison, and Iguanas looked comfortable in possession with time on the ball. Maddison was battling hard for every ball in front of goal and we saw some great tackles from Cole and Jake. Rafe was unlucky not to score from a superb ball in from Jake, but couldn’t quite connect to get the power needed behind his shot.

Though Dunmow Dragons had a few forays forward which were well dealt with by Ollie, Iguanas were proving the stronger side and halfway through the first half Jake opened the scoring for the blues with a brilliant run from the back, taking the ball past several players to score a brilliant goal reminiscent of his fantastic strike the week before. 1-0 Iguanas.

With Lewis and Fearne Dolly now on, Iguanas went in search for a second goal. It was great to see Fearne Dolly making some strong tackles and a lovely chance fell to Lewis which the Dunmow keeper somehow managed to save on the line. Jayden came on to replace Fearne Dolly after she took a knock to the knee, and brought typical energy to the game making some exciting runs from midfield and passing the ball well.

More chances fell to Cole and Jake and we could have been two ahead of it wasn’t for a bit of luck for the Dragons, with the wind taking a great shot from Jake wide. Zack and Ethan came on and Zack made an immediate impact with a great tackle to halt a Dunmow attack. Fearne Dolly came back on for Lewis and with the first half drawing to a close a late spell of pressure from Dunmow saw some great defending from Zack and Ethan to keep the score at one nil.

The second half saw Zack start in goal, with Cole, Jake, Rafe and Maddison on pitch. An early chance was scrambled away on the goal line by Dunmow, and a nicely worked series of passes lead to another chance for Rafe shortly after. Maddison was showing typical grit and determination to win the ball and Cole was making some great tackles at the back, winning the ball for Iguanas again and again. A shot powerful shot from Jake rebounded to Rafe but yet again it was bundled out to prevent the goal.

Cole went off for Ollie, playing on pitch rather than in goal in the second half. Zack was pressed into action to make a good save, looking calm and relaxed in front of goal. Fearne Dolly and Lewis came back on, and Lewis had a shot straight away that went wide. A second goal felt imminent though as Iguanas piles on the pressure. A skilful tackle by Fearne Dolly who then made a fantastic pass to Lewis lead to goal number two, as Lewis found the back of the net. 2-0 Iguanas.

Halfway through the second half Cole came on for Zack in goal, and while he remained at the ready Dunmow Dragons were not to have another shot on goal for the rest of the game.

Ethan made a beautiful pass from the back to find Jayden, playing centrally today instead of his usual spot ok the wing. Jayden was unlucky not to hit the target with his shot. Fearne Dolly was working really hard to win the ball and make a run, and kept battling to find a way through, winning a free kick in process, but again Iguanas were denied a third.

Ethan and Jayden both made crucial clearances to see off any chance of a Dunmow getting on the score sheet as the game drew to a close. With Zack, Rafe and Maddison on for the last couple of minutes Zack battled hard to force another goal but the score remained 2-0 at the final whistle.

There was a marked improvement in tackling in this game, with Iguanas overcoming their hesitance to go in and win the ball as strongly as they do against their team mates in training. It was great to see them getting stuck in to the game and showing determination to win the ball. It was also our first clean sheet of the season, great to see a good defensive performance being reflected in the score line.

Iguana of the match - Fearne Dolly. Fearne Dolly made some great tackles today and set up a fantastic goal for Lewis. Her match performance had really come on in recent weeks and it was great to see her being such a playmaker today. Well done Fearne Dolly and well done Iguanas!