Douglas Dragons’ Second Division side knew Friday night’s FNQ Football game would be tough, travelling away to play Hmong with only one substitute, but knew if they played their best they would have a chance of a win.

But after pushing Hmong right to the final whistle, it would end up being the most disappointing loss for Douglas this season.

The game got off to a nightmare start for Douglas. A defence way too high up the field would lead to a simple ball being played in behind. A Hmong striker ran clear of Douglas defender, Jack Miller, who had a torrid time all game with the pace of the Hmong forward line. The striker held his nerve when one on one with the keeper for 1-0.

The Douglas defence, seemingly not wanting to learn from their first mistake, continued to push their team mates forward, allowing way too much space between themselves and the keeper Sakae Saito, who was playing his last game for the club. It was only a matter of time before another ball in behind would be their downfall. It did not take long to come, and Douglas were now trailing by two goals after another one on one finish.

The deficit could have been more with Douglas failing to change their game style. However, just before the end of the first half, Douglas got a corner. Delivered well, Matt Hodkin was able to connect with a good header to get Douglas a goal to bring the game to 2-1.

At half time, Douglas players were made well aware that they had just played some of their worst football all year. From the training ground to game nights, this was seemingly well below anything they had produced all season. With the score line only at 2-1, they knew if they could change the way they had been playing, the game was not over just yet.

Minutes after the start of the second half, Douglas seemed to have learned from the first half, delivering a ball from deep to target man, Ashley Woods. He would lay it off for the left foot of James Turner, and from around twenty five yards, he was able to take one touch and let the ball fly in to the bottom corner for a 2-2 scoreline.

Now Douglas felt the momentum behind them and pushed forward, but, getting caught up in the moment, the defence was pushed all the way to the half-way line. Hmong got possession of the ball and everyone knew what was coming - ball over the top, one on one, 3-2 Hmong.

Then a bit of brilliance from a Hmong striker. Getting the ball and evading numerous Douglas players before adding a superb finish to take the game to 4-2. At that point I think both teams thought the game was as good as over.

But Douglas showed the spirit and commitment that is always expected. Shortly after going down 4-2, they got the ball out wide to Daniel Houghton, who got a great ball in to the box which fell to Ashley Woods. Woods kept his nerve and made it 4-3. Douglas, now with 12 minutes left, would push Hmong all the way to the final whistle.

Unfortunately for Douglas, the equaliser would prove to be too elusive for them to find, but they would leave knowing the second half compared to the first half was a hundred times better and that is a level they will need to keep over the coming weeks.

The "Paddy's Irish Bar Man Of The Match Award" for the second week in a row went to Ashley Woods who grabbed a goal for himself and set one up.

This Saturday, Douglas will travel to Park Avenue, Dimbulah, for their Round 8 clash with Dimbulah.


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