Match reports for season 2005/2006:

23/04/2006 - Aldridge Phoenix v Dresden

Poor Dresden lost to a side three divisions below them for the second time in three games in the Intermediate cup. Phoenix put the game beyond Dresden inside 30 minutes with 3 well taken goals to put the game out of Dresdens reach.

A marginally better second half performance from Dresden saw them pull two goals back by Ian Chamberlain.

09/04/2006 - Imperial Star v Dresden

A depleted Dresden side faced Imperial Star in the end of season Intermediate Cup. A low key start to the game by Dresden saw Imperial Star take the lead and double their advantage during the first 25 minutes. Dresden drew level by half time with goals from Keith Houchen following good work by Ian Chamberlain and Nicky Fowler.

Dresden survived a number of Imperial penalty shouts and constant pressure by the home side throughout the second half to win the game with five minutes remaining. A pin-point corner from Ian Chamberlain was met by the head of Ashley Clifton to give Dresden the win.

02/04/2006 - Dresden v Halfway

A game of limited quality saw Dresden beaten for the third time this season by Halfway. Halfway could have taken the lead in the first half from the penalty spot, but for an excellent save by Dresden cat Ian Radford.

The game was settled by what was definitely a Stuart Harris own goal halfway through the second half. Dresden failed to manage a shot on target, which may have had something to do with the intake of ale the previous day.

26/03/2006 - Castlehurst v Dresden

A depleted Dresden squad took part in the Intermediate cup and faced a Division 4 team away from home.

Dresden struggled to start the game well and found themselves 2 goals down after 20 minutes. As they found their feet they managed to end the half on level terms with two goals from Keith Houchen.

Kicking with the wind in the second half, Dresden fancied their chances to get something out of the game but again gave themselves too much work to do by conceding two goals. An injury meant they had to play the last 20 minutes with 10 men. Although goalscoring midfielder Dabs scored to reduced Castlehursts lead to one goal Dresden ran out of steam trying to chase the game.

19/03/2006 - Dresden v Beacon Colts

Another chance for Dresden to avenge a defeat from earlier on in the season as they faced Beacon Colts at home.

Dresden started very strongly, and took the lead within 2 minutes as Keith Houchen beat the Colts keeper from the edge of the area. Dresden continued to play well but allowed Beacon back into the game on 20 minutes. They regained the lead after 30 minutes when another Ashley Clifton bullet header returned from the bar, Ian Robinson was first to react to score his second in two games. The lead was surrendered again as the half ended with the scores level.

The second half saw Beacon come into the game and they should have taken the lead inside the first 60 seconds. Dresden took the lead however, as the goalkeeper dropped the ball at the feet of Ian Chamberlain who doesnt miss very often from 2 yards. Yet again, the lead was surrendered within 5 minutes as Colts equalised. Another Dresden goal for Spencer Clifton, who finished well from 15 yards, looked to have decided the match but once more Beacon scored within 5 minutes of Dresdens goal.

12/03/2006 - Kypros Reserves v Dresden

Dresden had a chance to avenge a defeat by Kypros earlier this season as they travelled to the Magnet Centre to play Kypros. Quality football was never on the agenda with sub zero temperatures and an uneven pitch, even the referee had second thoughts and stayed in bed.

Nevertheless, Kypros started well and had the better of the first 10 minutes. Dresden were slow to start but took the lead after 15 minutes following good work from Nick Fowler and Spencer Clifton with a low cross that was converted by Keith Houchen. The lead was doubled 10 minutes later in a similar fashion as full back Gooders ghosted past 3 Kypros players to square for Keith Houchen to convert. Dresden gathered momentum and added a third goal with an Ian Chamberlain shot proving too hot for the Kypros keeper to hold.

Dresden continued to push forward in the second half and the killer 4th goal was scored by midfielder Ian Robinson. In fairness to Kypros even with the game beyond them, they refused to give up and continued to look for a consolation goal as Keith Houchen and Ian Chamberlain added another
two goals before the final whistle.

A rare clean sheet for Dresden and another good result to add to the recent revival.

19/02/2006 - Dresden v Sutton Three Tuns

Dresden met Sutton Three Tuns for the third time this season, looking to avenge two hammerings dished out by Tuns at the start of the season.

Considering the Dresden pitch was in very poor condition, the first half saw the two teams evenly matched and clear cut goal scoring chances at a premium. Tuns took the initiative after 30 minutes by springing the Dresden offside trap and the striker finishing well from just inside the area.

The second half continued in the same manner as the first half, with chances very few and far between. Dresden made a number of chances after 60 minutes and got back into the game when subs Andy Fowler and Keith Houchen combined well for the latter to put Dresden level. The equaliser proved to be short lived as Tuns regained the lead within 5 minutes. Dresden continued to push for something out of the game and got their reward when a Griffo cross found the barron head of Ashley Clifton who finished well from 10 yards with a trademark bullet header.

12/02/2006 - Forget Me Not v Dresden

After 2 months of poor performances, a match worthy of a report !
Dresden welcome back a couple of long term absentees along with Cap'n Griffo to bolster the squad and look to halt their slide down the table. A couple of changes in defence and Dresden looked like a new team. However, Forget Me Not really should have gone one up within the first 2 minutes as a 30 yard effort beat the Dresden keeper but came back off the bar. Fortunately for Dresden, the attacker that the ball fell to miscued in front of an open goal. Dresden took to the offensive and domindated the remainder of the half. Although every player was on top form, striker Ian Chamberlain stood out as he notched a first half hatrick.

With a comfortable margin a couple of changes were made at half time. Kicking with a slight slope, FMN looked to get back into the game and reduced the lead with 25 minutes left. Fortunately, Dresden regained their lead 5 minutes later with a Keith Houchen effort to effectively kill the game.

Hopefully, this is a turning point for Dresden as they look to climb back up the league.

11/12/2005 - Beacon Colts v Dresden

90 minutes to forget for Dresden as they take a heavy defeat by Beacon Colts. Goals from Ashley Clifton and a cracking 20 yard volley from Dabs provide minor consolation for Dresden as they find themselves closer to the bottom of the league than the top at the half way stage.

27/11/2005 - Dresden v Lodge

A home tie against fellow Div 1 hopefuls Lodge blocked Dresdens final chance of a trip to Coles Lane this season. Dresden decided on a new look formation, reverting to the tried and trusted 4-4-2 formation. With both teams cancelling each other out, the first goal was scored by Dresden from the penalty spot following a handball in the area by an unfortunate Lodge defender. A weak Keith Houchen penalty kick somehow found its way through Lodge keeper to give Dresden a 1-0 lead on the stroke of half time.

The seocnd half saw Lodge equalise inside 5 minutes to set up a tense second half. Obviously not fancying the prospect of having to play an extra 30 minutes, Dresden went on the attack in search of the lead. A strange incident occured on the hour when a Ben Basford shot hit the sizeable gut of fellow midfielder Ashley Clifton and deflected over the Lodge keeper into the net. Lodge protested that it had hit the hand of curry God on the way into the net and having initially awarded the goal the referee changed his mind. The final decision was that Ash had not been given permission to return to the field following an earlier injury / fag break. Regardless, Dresden regained the lead 60 seconds later when an Ian Chamberlain through ball found Keith Houchen who toepoked the ball beyond the Lodge keeper.

A much better Dresden performance against one of the better teams in the league can give Dresden confidence to improve their recent league performances.

13/11/2005 - Dresden v Middleton

Dresden played Middleton for the second time this season trying to secure back to back victories for the first time. A closely fought first half saw Middleton take the lead after 25 minutes, but Dresden draw level within 60 seconds as Ben Basford picked his spot well in the corner of the net.

The second half saw Dresden creating chances, but when the Middleton goalie wasnt in fine form the woodwork proved to be enough to prevent Dresden from taking the lead. As the half continued, Middleton came back into the game and eventually took their chances to win the game.

06/11/2005 - Streetly v Dresden

A very even game played in impossible conditions saw Dresden narrowly beat Streetly 3-2 with goals coming from Spencer Clifton, Keith Houchen and a bizzare 40 yard own goal !

30/10/2005 - Dresden v St Mary St John Celtic

A return to form was required for Dresden following last weeks performance, and that was exactly what was delivered in the 1st round of the Open cup. Dresden chose to play with the wind and then only difference between the two sides was Ian Chamberlains right foot as it delivered another cracker from the edge of area.

Dresden defended well in the second half, and battled against an increasingly attack minded Celtic side. Just as it looked like Dresden would hold out for a victory, Celtic scored two goals in the last 10 minutes. Although Dresden had a couple of injury time chances to take the game into extra time it was a fine performance that can be used to build upon over the coming weeks.

23/10/2005 - Sutton Three Tuns v Dresden

A disappointing result for poor Dresden as they are put to the sword by the league leaders.

16/10/2005 - Dresden v Kingstanding Villa

An early kick off at Aston University saw Dresden face Kingstanding Villa. A very evenly faught first half saw Dresden score the only goal when left wing back Phil Cheshire pounced on a loose ball in the Kingstanding area to open his Dresden account. Kingstanding were hard done by when a 30 yard freekick that looked a goal all the way rebounded from the Dresden post.

The second half saw Kingstanding continue to attack and push Dresden further back into their half as the game wore on. However, Dresden took their chance to double the lead when Andrew Darby sprung the offside trap and raced clear of the Kingstanding defence, rounded the keeper and was denied a goal by a fine last gasp challenge from a Kingstanding defender - the ball fell to Ian Chamberlain whose eye for goal never seems to fail as he finished well from 12 yards for his fourth of the season. Dabs got his goal with 20 minutes left when he headed home from the six yard box to put Dresden 3 goals up. Credit to Kingstanding who refused to give up and set up a tense finish as they pulled a goal back with 15 minutes remaining.

09/10/2005 - Sutton Three Tuns v Dresden

A bye to the quarter final of the league cup saw Dresden play early pace setters in the league, Sutton Three Tuns. Although the first half was even in scoreline, Dresden struggled to maintain the standard of last weeks impressive vistory. At half time with the score 1-0 to Tuns, the game was far from over.

Two goals in quick succession in the second half for Tuns made it very difficult for Dresden, but a goalmouth scramble in which a Keith Houchen shot found its way into the net off a couple of Tuns defenders gave them a fighting chance. Two further Tuns goals in the remaining 15 minutes put the game beyond doubt, but Dresden have the chance of revenge in a return fixture in 2 weeks.

02/10/2005 - Dresden v Hardwick Arms

Dresdens bogey side visited Aston University in need of points following a poor start to the season. The first 20 minutes were fairly even with both sides having chances, and forcing good saves from either goalkeeper. The deadlock was broken when the Hardwick keeper parried a fierce Ben Basford shot into the path of Ian Chamberlain, who didnt need asking twice to add to his tally. Ben Basford doubled the margin 10 minutes later by beating the keeper with an angled shot from the edge of the area. With 5 minutes of the half remaining, Dresden had a chance to kill the game as Tom Hayward was felled in the box and the ref had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Dresden showed Hardwick mercy by letting captain Spencer Clifton take the penalty - the rest was comedy genius.

A few changes to personnel in the second half saw Keith Houchen score the third after 2 minutes of the restart and Nicky Fowler topped an impressive display by beating a couple of Hardwick players before dispatching the ball past the keeper from 10 yards. Hardwick scored a consolation goal before midfielder Dabs completed the scoring with another well taken goal, bending the ball round the keeper with 15 minutes left.

25/09/2005 - Halfway v Dresden

Dresden were torn apart within 30 minutes as Halfway capitalised on their chances. The game was over as a contest as Halfway scored their third goal within the half hour. Any glimmer of hope of a Dresden comeback were killed off within 5 minutes of the second half as Halfway scored their fourth. Although Dresden played marginally better in the second half it was an all round poor performance and a deserved loss.

18/09/2005 - Dresden v Lodge

Dresden entertained Division 1 newcomers Lodge at home with a first half of missed chances. Although Dresden had enough chances to wrap the game up in the first half, the score at half time was 1-1 thanks to Ben Basfords 2nd goal of the season with a fine lob from 20 yards.

The second half continued with Dresden applying pressure, which paid off after 50 minutes with Keith Houchen scoring his first of the season from 6 yards. From this point, Dresden may have won the game comfortably but a spirited Lodge side refused to give in and equalised again after 75 minutes. Continued Lodge pressure could have won the game, but for a goalline clearance with 5 minutes remaining.

11/09/2005 - Middleton v Dresden

A very small pitch hindered Dresdens passing game, and as such the majority of the first half was played in Dresdens half. Dresden took the lead however after 40 minutes when Ian Chamberlain repeated last weeks early contender for goal of the season from 20 yards. The standard has been set ! Middleton equalised almost immediately, with a shot that took a wicked bounce in front of Dresden keeper Ian Radford.

The second half was a more evenly fought contest but chances proved to be at a premuim, with Middleton going closest when a 25 yard shot rattled the Dresden crossbar. The game was played out to a fair result in a draw.

04/09/2005 - Dresden v Forget Me Not

An evenly contested game in which Dresden dominated the first half, leading at half time following a goal from Ben Basford. Forget Me Not enjoyed the majority of possession in the second half and equalised halfway through the half. Dresden substitute Ian Chamberlain ensured Dresden started the season with a win with an unstoppable shot from 30 yards.

Click here to view Season 2004/2005 Match Reports