LATEST POSTINGS.

Posted 14th August 2019.

Brightlingsea Regent 2-4 Bowers & Pitsea United. Isthmian League Premier Division.

My first game of the season and as a somewhat lazy follower of local football, a relatively balmy evening up North Road to watch a decent standard of football seemed a good way to start.

Plenty of friendly, welcoming faces as I entered the ground, including ground hopping Dragon Dave Cook.

Added interest in the shape of ex-Dragon Adam Hampson, playing at this level for the first time, was more than matched by the somewhat more rotund figure of Ollie Sanders, who was referee.

An even first half of little noteworthy action was followed by an action packed second 45 minutes - the majority of which I spent in conversation with Christine Hampson chatting over the past goings on at Wivenhoe.

Bowers were promoted as Champions of the division below last season, and showed why, as their niggly, physical approach, allied to a potent attack meant they were more than a match for the relatively quiet home side.

You need deep pockets even at this level of football, as £11 to get in, £2 a programme and a quid on the raffle left no money of tea and a snack, which I was told were very pricey as well

Still with only my shoe leather spent on getting to the game and a decent match with plenty of goal, I had little to complain about really - except the bad memories chatting to Mrs H brought back about Wivenhoe !!

Posted 4th March 2019.

Ipswich Town 1-2 Reading. EFL Championship.

After a sabbatical of just over 16 years my thirst for football and disillusionment with The Dragons resulted in a return to my old stomping ground - Portman Road.

Unfortunately both my teams are struggling at the moment and this was really evident from a poor performance from the Town in what was a 'must win' relegation six pointer.

A wobbly defence coupled with inability to put together many cohesive attacking moves meant they slipped to yet another defeat, which just about consigns them to life in the old Third Division.

Still I'm accustomed to disappointment given Wivenhoe's woeful recent record, so I shouldn't have been surprised that misery followed me into Suffolk!

Posted 21st January 2019.

Brightlingsea Regent 2-0 Folkestone Invicta. Bostik League Premier Division.

After a pleasant lunchtime (and early afternoon) session in front of an open fire in The Railway Tavern, it was up to North Road (again) to see the two form sides in this division lock horns.

It was just as well we were not on the drag as the game was effectively over after 10 minutes, as the hosts charged out of the starting blocks, catching Invicta by surprise. Regent held onto their two goal advantage throughout the remainder of the game, never looking in any real danger, as Folkestone's only form of attack was a predictable route-one, which played into the Brightlingsea's defences hands.

By 4.30 the cold was getting the better of us and the match was not good enough to warrant getting frostbite, so it was back to the warm confines of The Railway where us 4 SOB's reflected on another not unsurprising defeat for Wivenhoe. It's sad when a 2-0 home defeat is viewed as a good result...

Statistics man JB informed us that since the title winning squad was wrecked, The Dragons have played 110 games, winning only a mere 12 times. 77 defeats and 21 draws completes the misery for any Wivenhoe supporter. Oh and we have conceded 314 goals, scoring only 103.

The gloom continued as folk with Harwich connections advised that visiting fans outnumbered home supporters by 3 to 1 at Broad Lane that afternoon, with little of no vocal backing for Meadow's men.

The club seems to be dying quickly on its feet as a senior football club, fit now only for youth teams and a soccer school.

Sad times indeed with little prospect of things changing.

Posted 11th January 2019.

The first game seen of the new year - Brightlingsea Regent Reserves v Hackney Wick in Thurlow Nunn Division One South, or whatever the hell it's called.

Apart from being on my door-step I was intrigued to watch Regent's second string on the basis of their destruction of Wivenhoe's First XI a few weeks previous.

I was somewhat disappointed as their young side were tidy and full of running, but had little cutting edge up front, which did beg the question how the hell did they get 8 (eight) against The Dragons !!

The were few in attendance, but I found comradeship in the form of ex-Dragon Michael Kennedy and Hackney's very affable supporter Pete The Wickerman, who made good companions as we stood in the freezing cold - and Pete was kind enough to share Hackney's half-time boardroom sandwiches with us !!!

My only gripe was the hosts online programme - which was not on sale at the game - a big 'no,no' from this footballing traditionalist.

Still a half decent game, which was entertaining enough to stop me wandering off back to the warmth of my front room before the final whistle was blown.

When it was sounded the visitors had edged the match by 2 goals to 1, but they should have had more if their finishing had been as good as their ability to pick arguments with the officials !!

In the end I'm still perplexed as to how Wivenhoe conceded eight - unless we gave up all together.

Next up is Regent's home game on the 19th January against Folkestone Invicta in the Bostik Premier Division, when I will be joined by my fellow disillusioned SOB's John Button & Jon Rensink on the North Road terraces as we sandwich the game between a couple of drinking sessions in the town's fine hostelries. Hopefully the level of football served up will be somewhat more impressive and entertaining than Thurlow Nunn Division One.

Posted 17th December 2018.

The infrequency of my posts indicates my lack of interest in the club and the level of football at which we are currently (not) competing at.

There appears to be little to encourage anyone to attend games at Broad Lane. I understand from those who have been that the standard of football is no better, and often worse, than Border League. And this weekend's humiliating 8-0 defeat to Brightlingsea's RESERVES(!!) suggests that we can't even compete at this level. A paying gate of less than 30 (paying six quid for the 'pleasure') I've been told, just sums up the complete lack of interest in the club.

The club has reached an all-time low and I honestly cannot see the trend being arrested unless new blood is willing, or allowed, to join the Committee.

These are sad times for this once great club, which has slowly but surely been allowed to deteriorate to the extent that, without the decent ground that we have, we are nothing better than a Border League set up.

Remember we were ECL Division One Champions in 2015-16, you would hope a springboard for bigger and better times - instead we have become a below average side with little prospect of moving forward.

Without big changes on and off the pitch I fear that the club's downward spiral will only continue.

A sorry way to begin 2019.

22nd October 2018.

I took in only my second game of the season, as I took a short stroll up to Bayard Recreation ground in Brightlingsea, along with a couple of other long standing SOB's, to take in Ben Connell's Colne Athletic v Cressing United Border League Division One fixture.

Due to the wonderful ale on offer (and a free pool table) in the Railway Tavern, we missed the first two goals - joining the game with it standing at 1-1.

There is still a very strong ex-Wivenhoe connection at Colne, with the likes of Ben, Jason Savage, Eliot Ringe, Joel Shurvington, Scott Yearling, Ryan Gooch, Luke Rogers and Luke Goldie-McSorley all involved. A really tight match could have gone either way, but a brace from Goldie (a comprehensive penalty and a wonderful long-range freekick), saw Athletic home.

Thankfully it was a gloriously sunny afternoon, I really couldn't stand in the open watching in the wet or cold. The football was fast and frantic, with little time for anyone to show their skills and it became a struggle to watch come the end. I doubt I could follow this level of football on a regular basis, although one of my fellow SOB's remarked that it was about the same standard as Wivenhoe's games this season.

I notice that the 'Hoe are due to play Regent's reserves on the 10th November - as long as I'm not getting my hair done that afternoon I may well catch up with The Dragons for the first time since February. Perhaps...

Posted 6th October 2018.

This has not been updated for some time due to my continued absence from matches at Broad Lane and football in general.

At first it was a self-imposed exile due to the awful results and performances last season, which did not warrant the £6.00 admission, and frankly the waste of my time.

There was little activity over the summer months to rekindle my enthusiasm, and when an exciting potential managerial appointment fell through, the belated appointment of James Meadows gave him little chance to assemble a squad in good readiness for the new season.

The drop into junior football, which it is in my opinion, and with the expectation of nothing more than just surviving the season, I have still yet to be tempted back despite recent encouraging results in the league.

Taking in Brightlingsea Regent's FA Cup triumph over Egham only made matters worse, as watching some very accomplished football in front of a large crowd, which included a good number of friendly, welcoming faces - including the Chairman - took me back to those heady times back at Wivenhoe, which we miss so much.

The frustrations and annoyance at The Dragons not building on the Division One Championship winning team still anger and bewilder me.

Crowds at recent matches suggest many others have lost interest too, with less than 40 souls recorded. How long can this continue?

Today's 2-0 win pushed us up to 10th in the table, which is good to see, but more telling was James Meadows comments in the Gazette during the week stating that we still cannot compete financially with a lot (most?) clubs when it comes to attracting players. How long can this continue?

The club AGM will be held on the 15th of this month and it would be wonderful to hear news about new initiatives that will drive the club forward and provide the manager with sufficient funds to make significant improvements to the team should he so wish.

Otherwise a period of stagnation in this current division will be the only outcome for the foreseeable future. How long can this continue?

Posted 25th June 2018.

So we are a week into pre-season training under the charge of new First Team manager James Meadows.

Until names of players who have officially put pen to paper are announced it will be impossible to judge the calibre of those looking to pull on a Wivenhoe shirt this coming season. Any hopes that a few of his very successful Great Bentley team would follow him to Broad Lane appear to have been dashed judging by the reaction of many of that side on social media, who are firmly remaining at the Border League outfit.

Personally our new league holds little attraction for me - bar the odd local derby. Games against made up London based sides with names more akin to an Evening League 5aside team will not draw in the fans, so The Dragons need to start of with some positive results once we get underway again, otherwise I fear attendances will drop even further than they already have. Many supporters will be viewing the line-up's in the friendlies with much interest.

A slight concern is the regularity with which I keep seeing an advert on social media looking to fill the currently vacant Reserve Team managers post.

Either no one has applied, or those that have are not deemed sufficiently worthy of taking on the job. It is a crucial role at the club and I can't but think the shenanigans that surround the position last season has kept good potential applicants away.

Hopefully the matter will be resolved soon.

Posted 15th May 2018.

The 2017-18 season will personally go down as the most disappointing in 29 years of supporting the club.

It began badly, only picking up off the back of a new managerial appointment (and then only briefly), before descending back into misery.

As a consequence I only attended 13 games, the least in those 29 years.

Only 2 memories stick with me - Garry Burdett's winning goal against Haverhill Borough and the penalty shoot out league cup win over Holland. The rest was instantly forgettable.

My personal close season started early, in February, following the crushing defeat by Coggeshall, hopefully by the time the new campaign gets underway I will be dying to get back to Broad Lane for a dose of footy again.

A lot will depend on the Committee's appointment as the successor to Chris Hudson. I'm not alone in not attending matches as I know other long-standing fans who lost interest this past few months. The new man needs to fire interest and enthusiasm back into the supporters otherwise gates will fall further.

Supporters loyalty cannot be taken for granted and the onus is on the club to find the right man quickly and give him the summer to build a squad.

Hopefully the club's media machine will be declaring the identity of the new manager in the next few days.

Posted 18th February 2018.

Result from Saturday 17th February -

The Dragons 1-5 Walsham le Willows. ECL Premier Division.

A real let down in the end. To be fair it was a decent first 45 minutes. We took the lead - a good goal it was too - and more than held our own. We should have gone in at the break a goal up, but our lad made a real hash of an excellent chance.

An early second half goal set the tone for the remainder of the game as we leaked goals with a worrying regularity.

Most fans have given up hope of avoiding relegation/ re-organisation and are just hoping we can find a few good players to keep for next season.

On the positive side the newly formed Independent WTFC Supporters Club are doing their utmost to raise funds.

The Kit Grid has been hugely successful, match-ball sponsorship donations have been good and the Predict-a-score is growing by the week.

The Supporters will be sponsoring the match-ball for the forthcoming Coggeshall Town game, to continue putting monies raised back into the Football Club.

Posted 30th January 2018.

Result from Friday 26th January -

Coggeshall Town 5-0 The Dragons. ECL Premier Division.

The trip to moneybags Murs Town was always going to end in defeat- just a case of how many.

This classic case of the 'have's' against the 'have not's' went to form with The Dragons still firmly rooted to the foot of the league table following this reverse.

There have been plenty of changes in playing personnel since Chris Hudson took charge, but we have yet to see a marked improvement in our points tally. It is essentially a new team, which will take time to gel, but goal-scoring still seems to be an issue and one that will mean winning games is going to be a big ask.

For me it is all about preparing for next season. Relegation to Division One or the new Eastern Senior League(?) - depending on what the FA decides will not come as a shock.

Finances are still clearly tight, but the club's loyal, long-standing supporters are trying their utmost, under the banner of the newly formed Independent Supporters Club, to raise whatever money they can towards the playing budget and the club finances in general.

If we are to have any chance of moving up the table the next three games are vital, as opponents Gorleston, Haverhill Borough and Walsham are all in the bottom third of the league.

Posted 10th December 2017.

Result from Saturday 9th December -

The Dragons 1-2 Great Yarmouth Town. ECL Premier Division.

I cannot recall coming away from a game that we have lost being so upbeat.

There were so many positives to take away from Chris's first home game in charge.

The new signings were all an improvement to the team and just need time to gel as a unit.

The passion and enthusiasm that poured from our technical area was a wonderful sight to behold and filled all Dragons supporters with hope for the future.

Clearly this is still a work in progress, but giant strides have already been taken as the team exhibited the same energy and spirit that Chris and Dave so clearly have in abundance.

On the terraces the alliance of the new Wivenhoe Ultras (please stay around longer than you did last time lads !) and The SOBS turned out to be a vocal marriage made in heaven, with the result being an almost incessant noise being generated for the players throughout the game.

Certainly my personal passion for has been reignited following this first sight of Hudson's new-look team.

I can't wait for Saffron Walden on the 23rd - COYD !!

Posted 4th December 2017.

Result from Saturday 2nd December -

Ely City 3-1 The Dragons. ECL Premier Division.

A game noteworthy as Chris Hudson's first in charge, along with his new assistant Dave Childs - previously the Reserve team boss at Holland FC.

Obviously it's going to take a few weeks for the new boss to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the team he has inherited, but his influence has been immediate with a scattering of new signings.

New striker Tyrone Scarlett hit the back of the net on his debut and I would guess that there will probably be more new faces on show by the time we face Great Yarmouth at the weekend.

Posted 12th November 2017.

Result from Saturday 11th November -

The Dragons 1-5 Kirkley. ECL Premier Division.

I understand we fought hard, but fell apart somewhat at the end. Being otherwise engaged I didn't attend the game and judging by the poor gate of only 64 a good many others were doing the same.

We desperately need a new manager appointed, but I suspect by the fact we have again advertised the vacancy on social media that there have been very few good quality applicants so far, which is not encouraging.

Ironically the reserves had yet another storming win (5-0 away at Woodbridge) making me ask the quite obvious question "Why haven't more reserve players been promoted to the first XI ?"

Terrace rumours abound suggesting that a good few don't want to step up, being comfortable playing in the second string. In my mind if players are at the club with no intention of making it to the first team they shouldn't be here.

Anyhow another thumping defeat, but the league table shows that a couple of wins could quickly lift us - trouble is I can't see it happening at present.

The new manager is vital and needs to be sorted out quickly otherwise even more hardcore supporters will be finding things to do on a matchday, other than watch to Dragons.

Posted 2nd November 2017.

Result from Wednesday 1st November -

The Dragons 1-1 Holland FC ; Dragons won 3-2 on pens. League Cup 2nd round.

Now I know I said I wasn't going to go, but whispers of interest from a potential new manager and a general catch up of news amongst the supporters lured me to the game.

It was a well fought affair and given our previous display it was a massive improvement. True the Dutch could have gone in at half-time 4-2 up and had plenty of goal-scoring chances, but if you don't take them you've only got yourselves to blame chaps.

Goalkeeper Aaron Reid had an immense game, with numerous top drawer saves during the 90 minutes and then three heroic penalty saves in the shoot-out.

It's vitally important we take this form and level of performance with us to Thetford on Saturday.

This display restored a lot of supporters belief in the team and must of impressed any potential managers looking on - and there was one present I understand.

The only slight spoiler during the evening were the scenes after the game, which were more suited to a second rate soap opera. Enough said.

Hopefully three points at the weekend and the announcement of the new manager soon. Here we go !

Posted 28th October 2017.

Result from Friday 27th October

The Dragons 0-9 Stanway Rovers. E.C.L. Premier Division.

An utterly embarrassing evening - and I was sat on the sofa at home !

As the side couldn't be bothered to turn up against Melford, I couldn't be bothered to show up to watch (and pay six quid for the privilege).

My decision was justified by an apparently gutless, pathetic performance.

There are players who should never wear our shirt again.

Mo's decision to resign was somewhat inevitable; I await his replacement with baited breath.

In the meantime my sofa will remain my place of choice on a match day until this sorry mess has been sorted out.

Posted 23rd October 2017.

Result from Saturday 21st October.

The Dragons 1-4 Long Melford. E.C.L. Premier Division.

Sometimes if you have nothing positive to say it's best to say nothing at all.

Posted 15th October 2017.

Result from game watched 14th October 2017.

Colne Athletic 3-0 Oyster FC. Essex &Suffolk Border League Division Three.

Yes a change of footballing scene this weekend.

Instead of playing with my kids on Brightlingsea Rec. like I usually do, me and another 8 SOBS witnessed Wivenhoe old boys (aka Colne Athletic) toy with their Mersea Island rivals for 90 minutes.

Having had a whip round to sponsor the matchball (which I think got punted into a neighbouring garden never to be seen again !) we saw a comfortable home win for Colne, which kept the dynamic duo of Neil (Chairman) and Ben Connell (manager) relatively happy.

Goals from our ex-first teamer Scott Yearling and Joe Hawkins and a final OG sealed the points.

Other familiar faces included Josh Milburn, Ryan Gooch and Andy Schofield (who amazingly was to be seen running the line for a large part of the match - could have done with him at Histon methinks), in truth they were rarely in danger of conceding all afternoon.

Whilst the game was played out in front of about 20 souls, you couldn't really include the people on the adjoining kiddies playground, the cheers of the travelling Tooting & Mitcham support could be heard celebrating as their side dismantled Regent at North Road.

More than a few drinks in the local afterwards and a chat with some of the lads made it a novel, enjoyable and worthwhile afternoon/evening out. Even the news of that The Dragons had slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Histon did little to spoil the day. #Uptheath

Posted 12th October 2017.

Result from Wednesday 11th October.

The Dragons 0-0 Ipswich Wanderers. E.C.L. Premier Division.

Unbeaten in two games and two consecutive clean sheets - positives indeed.

But by God it was a poor first half. The ball spent most of the time at the other end of the pitch at the feet of an Ipswich player. What glimpses we had at goal were quickly spurned and the highlight seemed to be keeping an eye on our dodgy floodlights at the tennis court end, which kept going on and off with worrying regularity

New signing Dimitri Hadjiconstantiou hardly got a sniff all night, as the ball kept pinging over his head all evening, so we don't really know what he is capable of. Griffiths showed up well at times, but we looked more of a threat with young Willoughby was introduced and McCracken gave us a physical presence, and with a bit more luck could have sneaked a much needed win.

Joe gives us a different dimension up front and it will be hugely disappointing if he decides to throw in his lot with Stanway. Thankfully ex-Dragon Peter Maina failed to inflict pain on us, although he went bloody close - hitting a post in the second half.

Saturday sees a trip to high flying Histon. Anything gained from this game has got to be seen as a bonus.

Me - I'm joining half a dozen or so other SOBS to watch a game in Brightlingsea.

No not managerless Regent at North Road, but some back to basics Border League Division Three stuff, as the Connell led Colne Athletic take on Oyster on Bayard Recreation ground, with a sprinkling of ex-Dragons in their squad. Could be interesting !!

POSTEDted 9th October 2017.

Result from Friday 6th October 2017.

The Dragons 1-0 Hadleigh United. E.C.L. Premier Division.

I know it's been awhile - thanks Dave Cook for rightly pointing it out!

In truth I've found it a struggle to get motivated to watch matches so far this season.

Another summer of wholesale changes on the playing staff, combined with us taking up our customary position in the Premier Division league table - near the bottom, has been the cause.

We continue to struggle to find the right team combination even now, two months into the season and our leading goal-scorer has been happy to walk away to play in a lower division; I've found to hard to keep interested too.

I wasn't at this latest home league success, which was a damning year after the last one - can you blame me for preferring to stay in with the missus ?

What I have seen so far has shown signs of promise, but it is just that - signs. A lack of consistency, a lack of a goal-scorer and a continual shuffling of the starting X1 (for whatever reasons) means I cannot see us escaping the drop without the addition of new players with proven quality at this level of football.

The news that some sort of cock-up has resulted in us having one of the few hard earned points so far deducted has done nothing for my enthusiasm, but I have vowed to turn up for the Ipswich Wanderers game - Ok the wife has said I need to get out of the house and take out my frustrations at a game!

It has already got to the stage of the season where games are becoming 'must win' as only those against teams in the bottom reaches of the table can truly be looked upon as winnable at the present time.

So hopefully we can notch up our second consecutive home win ( I dare not look back to see when was the last time we managed that !!) on Wednesday evening.

Posted 30th April 2017.

Result from Saturday 29th April.

Mildenhall Town 9-0 The Dragons. E.C.L. Premier Division.

Yes we got smashed - by the League Champions. It was a heavily depleted, unrecognizable side. and in the end the result meant nothing in terms of the league. It's history already.

The legacy it leaves may resonate a little longer as so many 'regulars' had excuses (genuine or otherwise) not to travel to play for the club.

Don't talk to me about possible reprieves from relegation - I don't want one. Bar a couple of games, we have proved that we cannot win sufficient games at this level of football, playing at a lower level in that case won't be a bad thing.

We now have to hold our breath to see how many more players decide they've had enough at Broad Lane, before the squad can be assembled for next season.

In the meantime there are loads of jobs need doing at the ground over the summer........If you don't like what you see at the club - VOLUNTEER TO HELP OUT.

Posted 28th April 2017.

Result from Wednesday 26th April:-

The Dragons 2-3 Haverhill Rovers. E.C.L. Premier Division.

It was a brave effort to keep hopes of avoiding relegation alive until the final weekend of the season, but the visitors (aided and abetted by some horrendous refereeing) stole the match in the nigh on ten minutes of added time at the end of the game.

True we rode our luck somewhat and Galli made some fantastic saves as per usual, but it was not to be.

With key defensive players missing we always looked likely to concede goals and so it proved, but it was a spirited, fighting display that deservedly resulted in the lads being heartily applauded from the pitch by the Dragons faithful.

The unenviable trip to champions Mildenhall now awaits and with many players missing or unavailable I dread the outcome!

Posted 22nd April 2017.

Result from Saturday 22nd April:-

The Dragons 0-3 Fakenham Town. E.C.L. Premier Division.

There was little evidence of the unbeaten run being extended, and this 'must win' game was added the long list of home defeats this season. In truth the visitors were rarely troubled and it was a comfortable afternoon in Essex for them. The loss only increased the despondency amongst many long standing Dragons fans, who now want to see the club relegated to Division One, as in the continued absence of a decent playing budget we just cannot compete at this level of football. Another season struggling to win a game at the foot of the Premier Division will only serve to lose the support of fans who have been coming to Broad Lane for many years, and basically would not continue to come to watch a losing side.

Of course a miracle could happen and we could win our next two games - a bit unlikely - and Hadleigh fail to win their final game, but I don't think staying in this division, by any means, will do us any favours, unless the club has it's sights on raising a playing budget.

It's the last home game of the campaign this Wednesday, and I know I'm not alone in being thankful that it's the last of this highly forgettable and ultimately disappointing season.

Posted 18th April 2017.

Result from Monday 17th April:-

FC Clacton 2-3 The Dragons. E.C.L. Premier Division.

At last - three points! It was a 'must win game' if ever there was one, and despite falling behind the Dragons put on a terrific show to condemn the hosts (complete with ex-Dragons) to finishing in a relegation place.

The victory breathed new life into Wivenhoe's battle to avoid a bottom three finish and gives everyone connected with the club renewed hope and optimism.

Of course the job is no where near completed, with three games still to go and two wins required I reckon.

Fakenham at home this coming Saturday provides another opportunity to take another step along the road to safety. COYD!!

Posted 16th April 2017.

Result from Saturday 15th April:-

The Dragons 1-1 Ely City. E.C.L. Premier Division.

That elusive victory continues to elude us, but in the context of the match and considering our previous result and performance this was a confidence boosting result for all concerned.

Thanks to an absolutely disgraceful refereeing decision (most refs seem to be inept at this level of football) we had to play out the majority of the game a man short, as 'keeper Ben Gallifant was dismissed in the first half.

The players therefore emerged from this encounter with much credit and I can only hope we take this spirit and commitment into tomorrows 'mustn't lose' derby with already relegated Clacton.

Hadleigh's win means Melford are our immediate target in the league table - they are 4 points better off, but have played a game more. God a win Monday would be an absolutely amazing result and too much to ask for ??

Posted 10th April 2017.

Results from Saturday 8th April;-

The Dragons 1-10 Newmarket Town. E.C.L. Premier Division.

Walsham Le Willows Res. 4-1 The Dragons Reserves. E.C.L. Reserve league.

Not the greatest of weekends obviously.

A record defeat for a senior Wivenhoe side and it could/should have been far more.

OK Newmarket are a decent side, but it was still an embarrassing defeat.

Twelve months is a long time in football, we were enjoying the highs this time last year, and boy are we suffering the lows now.

On the plus side (there always is one!) our fate is in our own hands still - somewhat amazingly - we have some absolutely crucial games coming up. It's going to be about how the players react and bounce back from this drubbing that will dictate how our season will conclude and where we will finish in the league.

That is concern enough for me in the short term, of equal concern is next season - whichever Division we are in.

Get all your lucky charms out next weekend folks - Ely at home Saturday and Clacton away on the Monday.

It's going to be a football free Bank Holiday for me, so I'll have my fingers crossed that we can pick up some points from these two games.

Posted 2nd April 2017.

Results from Saturday 1st April 2017:-

Ely City 3-1 The Dragons. E.C.L. Premier Division.

The Dragons Reserves 0-1 Felixstowe & Walton Res. E.C.L. Reserve Division.

Reports of another encouraging performance in the Cathedral city, but alas no points to show from it and a result which takes Ely effectively out of the relegation equation. Time is beginning to run out, but hopes remain high that home games with Fakenham, Haverhill & Ely will glean some much needed points. We can live in hope, but a Tuesday night haul up to Yarmouth this week seems an unlikely fixture which will see our fortunes take a turn for the better. We shall see, but not hold our breath.

Jason Savage's reserves fell to a narrow defeat in a match that saw another appearance by Mr.Sidki Senior in a Wivenhoe shirt - his second of the season so far I believe? He continues to drink from the fountain of youth and rolls back the years.

This coming weekend sees the visit of Ryman League hopefuls Newmarket, and on paper it's difficult to imagine we will get anything from this game. Football can be an unpredictable beast and we can only pray that the Jockeys under-estimate us and we can spring a surprise.

Posted 27th March 2017.

Result from Friday 24th March 2017 :-

Haverhill Rovers 0-0 The Dragons. E.C.L. Premier Division.

By all accounts a fine, spirited display by the team to gain a valuable points - which in the context of our season - is a great result, given our current position though a win was required to give us a great chance of escaping the relegation zone come May.

The draw brought to end a run of defeats and the manner of our performance gives us a degree of hope for the coming weeks.

Additional hope comes in the news that Wroxham will be relegated from the Ryman League into the ECL, and with other potential relegation possibilities the question of getting a reprieve from the drop may well come into play.

Personally I believe if you finish in the relegation places you should go down. I don't wish to witness another season of struggling for survival and cheering winning a corner again. Let's play in a division where we are at least competitive and stand a chance of winning games.

That said this season is far from over, there will be more twists and turns I'm sure before the very final whistle is blown on this campaign.

Posted 19th March 2017.

Result from Saturday 18th March 2017:-

The Dragons 1-4 Walsham Le Willows. E.C.L. Premier Division.

A heavy defeat, out muscled by a Walsham side who, as a result of their win are now uncatchable in the league table.

Victories for Hadleigh & Clacton made it a miserable afternoon, with the only consolation for me being the fact I wasn't at the game to witness it.

Unfortunately a return to Division One is looking all the more likely, with the probability of Clacton finishing above us a damning indictment of this massively disappointing season. A weekend that saw a nail in the relegation coffin if you will.

The euphoric highs of this time last season are more than being matched by the depressing lows of this.

For this Dragon the end of the season cannot come quickly enough.

Posted 13th March 2017.

Result from Saturday 11th March 2017:-

Felixstowe & Walton United 3-1 The Dragons. E.C.L. Premier Division.

By all accounts it was a valiant and spirited performance by the boys in blue and white who were cheated by two highly dubious penalty decisions, which ultimately cost them any hope of taking anything from the match. Admittedly the high flying hosts were in the ascendancy for much of the 90 minutes, but The Dragons fought toe to toe and finished with much credit - although that doesn't help add to the points total in the league table, which now makes worrying reading.

As a consequence of last weekend's round of results we have eventually fallen into the third relegation place and have a fight on our hands to get out of it.

On the positive side there are new faces in the squad making a positive impact, but we are in dire need of a win or two now to have any hope of preserving our Premier Division status

This coming Saturday's home clash with Walsham le Willows has become a 'must win' six pointer.

Posted 5th March 2017.

Result from Saturday 4th March 2017 :-

The Dragons Reserves 6-0 Hadleigh United Reserves.

With no game for the First XI it was Jason Savage's side that took centre stage, and put on a commanding performance to record an emphatic victory. Both Tim Dennis and Ben Connell got a run out, with Ben helping himself to a hat-trick, although there was probably little chance of him taking the match ball home as a souvenir as the club couldn't afford it!

Regular goal poacher Ollie O'Hare netted a brace, with Robo Ominiabohs completing the scoring - his first in a Wivenhoe shirt since joining The Dragons following the demise of the University of Essex team earlier this year.

Goalkeeper Aaron Reid was not to be denied his share of the attention, making a fine penalty save early in the match.

Unfortunately results elsewhere did not make for good news for the First Team, as Hadleigh United drew level on points with us (although they have played three more games), gaining a creditable draw at Stanway and FC Clacton got three points closer courtesy of a home win - it's going to be a real dogfight to avoid the three relegation spaces this season. However, I suspect that there will be other factors which may have an impact on the number of clubs actually relegated to Division One come May.

Next action for Mo's men is a really tough away fixture at high-flying Felixstowe & Walton United.

Posted 27th February 2017.

Results from Saturday 25th February 2017 :-

Kirkley & Pakefield 4-1 The Dragons. E.C.L. Premier Division.

The Dragons Reserves 1-3 Halstead Town Reserves.

Not a great weekend really !!

Long distance away games are proving to be an issue regarding player availability resulting in a few line up changes, but to be fair the side had a decent first half and should - with a bit of good fortune - gone in at the break a goal (or two) to the good, had it not been for the woodwork - surely that should more accurately be called the metalwork now?

Whatever, our hosts ran out comfortable winners in the end with Mo's boys only having Joe McCracken's second senior goal for the club to show for their hard work.

Yet another defeat and we have now slipped to just one place outside the relegation zone - a mere one point above Hadleigh United, but having played 2 games fewer.

Of course this means nothing unless we can win a few games. Perhaps now is a good time to start digging out any lucky charms as the need to turn around our poor run of results in becoming more desperate.

The reserves capped off a poor weekend with a home defeat.

Things can only get better as someone sang back in the 1980's - I think !

Posted 19th February 2017.

Results from Saturday 18th February 2017 :-

The Dragons 0-1 Thetford Town. E.C.L. Premier Division.

Woodbridge Town Reserves 3-1 The Dragons Reserves.

New faces in the side freshened up the first half performance and it was an encouraging 45 minutes against a visiting side far improved from previous seasons. There were few goal scoring opportunities for either side but Wivenhoe came close following a corner and header by Tim Dennis.

Unfortunately the second period was mostly one way traffic - towards the home goal - as we struggled to keep possession and failed to have one decent effort on the Thetford goal, whilst our own led somewhat of a charmed life.

Encouraging performances from Milo, Costa and Lewis whilst Tim and Galli did well in an increasingly overworked defence.

The main concern was the lack of a goal threat in open play, with long balls up to Melman being gamely battled for, but with little or no support alongside him it was a fruitless exercise.

Just as concerning was the news of a 7 day approach from Stanway for our makeshift centre forward - one of the few 'old guard' remaining at the club, and another on his way ?

Games are starting to run out now and so will our hopes of retaining our place in this Division unless we can start to pick up a win or two.

Posted 31st January 2017

Results from Saturday 29th January 2017 :-

Swaffham Town 1-2 The Dragons. E.C.L. Premier Division.

The Dragons Reserves 3-1 Cornard Utd. Reserves.

A good weekend on the pitch for the club with two victories to lift the collective spirits - on and off the pitch. The long winless sequence of matches was finally brought to an end, ironically against the last opponents we managed to defeat way back in October. However, one swallow does not a summer make and unless we can manage to build on this result the spectre of relegation will continue to haunt us.

Jason's reserves completed a most satisfactory weekend with another three points, to consolidate the side at the top end of the league table. Nice to see the return of experienced goalkeeper Aaron Reid to the club at a time when the squad is being painfully overstretched at times. the addition of a 'keeper to the squad is most welcome.

A little of the gloss was taken off these results with the news on Monday that Jack Clampin had decided to end his short stay at the club by adding Brantham to his already growing list of clubs. It's becoming a common trend for players to not put roots down at a club for too long - ultimately neither the player nor the club really gains anything meaningful from such short associations, but hey - that's the younger generation for you.

It's disappointing to lose him as at times finding bodies to fill shirts has been a challenge, but decent player that he is, we need lads that will be fully up for the battle if the club is to retain it's Premier Division status.

Posted 22nd January 2017.

Result from Saturday 21st January 2017 :-

The Dragons 0-2 Hadleigh United. ECL Premier Division.

It's impossible to find anything positive from this display - at all, as we fail fairly comprehensively to defeat one of the few sides left below us in the league table.

The visitors should have sown this game up long before they did as we put in an abject performance in a vital match. Hadleigh themselves had only won 6 times all season, but we made them look like a good side as we sat back, didn't compete in the midfield, conceded possession almost every time we won the ball and allowed them time and space to construct moves of their own. Their 'keeper had little to do as a toothless attack gave him probably the easiest afternoon he's had all season.

True we huffed and puffed a bit and for a couple of ten minute spells in each half we took the game to the visitors, but with no cutting edge in attack a goal looked unlikely.

Too many hopeful (hopeless?) lobs forward from defence to no one in particular were never going to worry their defence and we looked devoid of any ideas.

Yes the lads tried, but it was clear to all in the ground that we fell well short of the standards required to compete at this level of football.

Confidence looked low - on and off the pitch - with supporters are now talking in terms of a quick return to Division One, which on yesterday's display is not a surprise. It's hard to see where the next win is going to come from - let's pray it's next week at Swaffham, but I won't be holding my breath.

I trust those players that walked away from the club leaving us in this situation are smiling smugly to themselves.

Posted 16th January 2017.

Weekend washout & Sod's Law.

Only one winner this past weekend - the weather, with all games postponed.

More news on the players front, with 2 loans 'in' and 2 ended.

Jack Smith had an excellent loan spell with us earlier in the season and re-joins us on a match by match basis (so could be recalled at any time), along with fellow Heybridge colleague- young striker Jack Tyrer, who is with us for the rest of the season.

It's good to see Mo bringing in new faces to bolster the squad. Smith is a quality addition, with Tyrer an unknown quantity, but with the 2 Brightlingsea players leaving us we were painfully thin on the ground.

Of course Baker went on loan to relegation rivals Clacton and immediately scored a hat-trick, when he looked unlikely to hit the back of the net from open play whilst with us.

What a massive game this coming Saturday - a relegation six pointer with Hadleigh, which could test the nerves of those stood on the terraces.

Posted 12th January 2017.

Twitching at the 'Hoe

Every season there are usually a regular number of ground-hoppers that visit the football club to 'tick it off their list'. This winter has been no exception with a large group of visitors from Scandinavia and Northern Europe, which can often be seen invading the Broad Lane pitch when there isn't even a game being played. The ornithologically minded & 'eagle-eyed' (apologies for the pun) can get lovely views of Fieldfare and Redwing - continental members of the Thrush family - as they forage on the pitch in search of food. Fellow Bird enthusiast Dave Nicholson reported a large mixed flock of about 30 earlier this week & I whilst I was wrestling with the brambles down the side of the pitch on Monday, Fieldfares were oblivious to my presence as they set about reducing the worm population.

Posted 8th January 2017.

Results from Saturday 7th January 2017 :-

The Dragons 0-3 Kirkley & Pakefield. ECL Premier Division.

Stowmarket Town Reserves 8-0 The Dragons Reserves

Not a great weekend !!

There's not escaping that fact, but hear me out first.

The First Team had 5 players either injured or unavailable, added to the fact that long serving goalkeeper Peter Haxel no longer wants to plays for us - would rather be at Holland I suspect, resulting in Ben Gallifant taking up duties between the sticks on a temporary basis.

With a number of reserve players drafted into the side this was always going to be a difficult game.

That said at half-time with the match goal-less the boys had excelled - to the point where we should/could have taken the lead. A glaring miss in the opening 5 minutes and a cross come shot (?) that smacked the visitors cross bar. The lads that stepped up performed admirably and it speaks volumes for the players that we competed with a top six side for long periods of the match.

The Reserves, as a result of First Team call ups, fielded a side that were well beaten at Stow, but the never-say-die spirit at the football club meant that the fixture was fulfilled when it may have been easier to cry off.

Hope prevails as with missing regulars still to return to the side.

Wivenhoe Town FC fights on in the face of adversity, with those committed to the football club taking up the fight and call to arms. COYD!

Posted 2nd January 2017.

Result from Monday 2nd January 2017 :-

Long Melford 2-0 The Dragons. ECL Premier Division.

An inauspicious start to 2017.

Two teams who cannot buy a win and we fall to another defeat.

If you lose to teams below you in the league table there's no denying that you will soon be in a relegation scrap.

It's now got to the stage when you are looking at other teams results and praying teams below you keep losing.

The trouble is that is not going to happen for the rest of the season and the number of points we currently have is not enough for us to escape the drop back to Division One.

True we were missing some keys players today, but we do not have the strength in depth in the squad to replace them adequately.

There's no getting away from the fact that this is a poor result and the pressure is slowly but surely being put on us unless we can conjure up a victory or two soon.