by Nick Tither

In front of their home fans at Cassowary Park the Nathan Verri Dragons firmly put the Leichhardt Lions in their place in a re-match between last season's grand-finalists.

After a long pre-season, and having trained and played on the second pitch, this was the first opportunity for the side to play on the number one pitch and its new surface and it didn’t take long for the Dragons to exert their dominance.
 
Jamie Gosling managed to find some space out wide, and after toying with his defender found Daniel Bateman whose left foot volley in a crowded box gave the keeper little chance.
 
Gosling, having set up the first goal, was again at hand to tuck his third penalty away of the season after a Leichhardt defender was judged to have handled the ball in the penalty area from a Dragons cross.
 
At two nil up it was time for the Dragons to put the match to bed, but like the week before they lacked the composure to put Leichhardt under real pressure, and it was Leichhardt that responded first.

A needless foul just outside the area resulted in a free-kick that the same fouled midfielder stepped up and placed his shot under the wall that seemed to jump, leaving the Dragons' keeper Christian McIntosh little chance.
 
At half time the Dragons spoke of showing that ruthlessness and quality and ensuring the result was comprehensive.

The Dragons didn’t disappoint. After a lovely piece of football in and around the half way line Bateman found himself with too much time and space bearing down on goal, and from 30 yards out picked his spot and sent the ball into the top right hand corner. The Dragons were three-one up and desperate to score more.

The Dragons' fourth goal was Bateman’s third. Matty Smith played Gosling in with a short corner, and wriggling free of the defender Smith had too much time to pick out Bateman whose cheeky little header nestled into the far post to complete his perfect hat-trick, a goal with his left foot, right foot and head.

A performance that meant despite not going home with the match ball, Bateman was ‘The Court House’ man of the match.
 
There was more to come for both sides at Cassowary Park, ensuring the vocal crowd got their money's worth. A deep free-kick found captain Nick Tither at the far post whose cushioned header back across goal led to a goal mouth scramble. Gosling was first to react and prod the ball home, scoring his second, and the Dragons’ fifth.

The last goal of the match was again from a free-kick, and again for Leichhardt. A soft free-kick was awarded on the edge of the box, and after much remonstrating with the referee, the same scorer of Leichhardt’s first goal stepped up and bent his free-kick around the wall, this time into the top right hand corner leaving McIntosh no chance again.
 
Coach James Turner was happy with the result, and a little surprised by the one-sided score line.

“It’s evident we are still gelling together, and developing that understanding of each other's game. This weekend against top of the table Marlin Coast will be a stern test for the lads, and we need to improve as it’s going to be a really tough fixture.”  

Turner was also full of praise for Alex Croft who at centre back alongside Ollie Moffat did a fantastic job limiting Leichhardt to goals from set pieces.