by Logan Marsh

The Verri Industries Douglas Dragons have been brought crashing back to earth following a 4-0 thumping at the hands of Leichardt on Sunday evening.

The Dragons were punished for a number of basic errors throughout the match but were not without their own chances. Unfortunately it is the Dragons' third away loss of the year in three matches and they need to look to turn around their away form to try and match the form the side is showing at Cassowary Park.

The Dragons were slow out of the blocks and found themselves behind early on after a sloppy pass putt a Leichardt forward through on goal. The scrambling Dragons' defence were unable to get back in time to put any pressure on and he was able to calmly finish past Gary Fitzgerald in the Douglas goal.

It could have been much worse for Douglas when first Tither and then twice Marsh were caught in possession. Luckily Fitzgerald was in good form and along with some last ditched defending from Ben Syrett and Jordan Butterss managed to keep the scoreline at 1-0.

Slowly the Dragons began to get themselves into the game and even began enjoying periods of dominance. Unfortunately for all the possession and neat passing they were rarely threatening the Leichardt goal.

The best chance of the half fell to Matty Smith whose shot struck the bottom of the post and went out of play for a goal kick following good play from Syrett and Ciaran Lemon. That left the score at 1-0 going into half time with the game well and truly there to play for.

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The second half mirrored the first in many respects with the Dragons having their fare share of possession without being overly threatening while there were still the same sloppy mistakes being made that were putting the Dragons' defence under pressure.

Twice the Dragons were caught in possession and this time Leichardt were not in the mood to ignore the Douglas charity, making no mistake to effectively put the game beyond the Dragons in the space of ten second half minutes.

The icing was put on the result when substitute Darren Case brought down an opposition player in the box with the player dusting himself off and slotting home the penalty to bring about the final 4-0 scoreline.

It was a disappointing result for the Dragons who have to pick themselves up for a string of games that sees them away from Cassowary Park until June 3. As a result of joining with JCU in order to compete in the premier league the clubs next two ‘home’ fixtures are being played at JCU.

Given the team's struggles in Cairns so far this year it looms as a huge month in the Dragons' season.

The Paddy’s Bar Man of the Match went to John Raffaele who worked tirelessly up top in what is likely to be his last appearance for the Dragons. He was unlucky not to cap his display with a goal late on.