A solid rear-guard performance coupled with a clinical display in front of goal has seen the Verri Industries Douglas United Dragons record an emphatic 3-0 victory over the previously unbeaten Marlin Coast Rangers.

While the Dragons had to defend for long periods in the match they were, for the most part, able to comfortably deal with what Marlin Coast had to throw at them and secured a result that will send shockwaves through the league.

It was a result that has been three weeks in the making after surrendering a three goal cushion two weeks ago against Stratford and then being robbed of three points last week against Leichardt, and has the team very much heading in the right direction.

All the early signs were that it was going to be a difficult night for the Dragons with Marlin Coast storming out of the blocks in the opening stages and dominating possession with Douglas struggling to get a touch on the ball.

Having withstood the opening onslaught with very few serious threats on the Douglas goal the Dragons grew into the match and slowly started to assert themselves.

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Ciaran Lemon had the ball in the back of the net from a Jack Miller through ball only to be ruled out for offside and Matty Smith was looking dangerous whenever he got the ball.

It was from that outlet that Douglas eventually took the lead. Smith was played in down the left, went past his defender having his shirt pulled and when that was not enough he was scythed down, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot.

Lemon stepped up and made no mistake, putting the ball exactly where he intended this time to give the Dragons the lead. Either side of the goal the Dragons could have been behind though with keeper Gary Fitzgerald making two fine saves.

The first came from a heading which looked like it was creeping in at the far post only for Gaz to appear from nowhere to keep it out while the second saw him tip a stinging drive over the bar when it fell to a Marlin Coast player from a corner.

The second half saw Douglas start brightly while they were able to minimise Marlin Coast's chances through hard work and a well organised defence.

Matt Hill came on at right midfield for the impressive Jack Miller and immediately began asking questions of the Marlin Coast defence. It was after more good play from the hardworking Smith that Matt Hill shot towards goal to provide the Dragons second.

It is debatable whether or not the ball was going in already but the Marlin Coast keeper got the last touch to send the ball into the back of the net and give the Dragons a two goal lead.

Soon after Marlin Coast were reduced to ten men when Hill played through Nick Houghton who, for the second week in a row, drew a foul and saw an opposition player sent off. Lemon flashed the resulting free kick just wide which would have put the result beyond doubt.

The Dragons were in no mood for charity as they have been in previous weeks and kept defending doggedly while causing problems of their own when they went forward. Again it was Matty Smith, surging into the box down the left having been released by Nick Tither, who created the Dragons third.

The referee had the whistle to his lips to award a penalty but Smith bravely stayed on his feet to cut the ball back to Ian Marsh who made no mistake from six yards out to put the game beyond doubt.

The Paddy’s Bar Man of the Match could have gone to any number of people such was the collective effort of the team. Ian Marsh worked tirelessly up front and thoroughly deserved his goal but in the end it was shared between Matty Smith whose work rate was phenomenal and who had a hand in all three goals and Logan Marsh who helped ensure the Dragons kept their first clean sheet of the year by dominating in the air and organising the defence well.

Next up for the Dragons is another ‘home’ fixture at JCU against Innisfail with the Dragons looking to exact revenge for their 4-2 loss in the first round.

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