By Logan Marsh

The Douglas United Dragons have left it late but managed to take all three points from their opening league game of the season, coming from behind twice to defeat a committed Redlynch side at Cassowary Park on Sunday evening.

It is a result that has positive implications for the character of the side to fight deep into the match to ensure the victory while it is also a stark reminder that the quality needs to improve markedly in the coming weeks.

Missing three senior players through injury and suspension and then being dealt a further blow when player/coach Logan Marsh went down in the warm up, there was little wonder that the Dragons started slowly and played with a lack of leadership.

The Dragons were lured into playing the game at a million miles per hour rather than looking to keep possession and take the game away from Redlynch. 

It came as no small surprise then, that Redlynch took the lead midway through the first half.

They had already been allowed far too much space in the wide areas and when the ball fell to one of their players in the box he remained calm to beat a defender and shoot past Ben Syrett in the Dragons goal.

There was a bit of a response from the home side, with Perry McIlroy beginning to get on the ball and get the Dragons playing but there was a distinct lack of quality in the final third that meant that the Dragons went into half time trailing 1-0.

The second half saw an improved performance from the Dragons although it was still a long way short of the expected levels.

They were creating more chances however and retaining possession for longer periods.

The introduction of Dan Baker continued to improve the performance and it was Baker who had the biggest hand in getting the Dragons back on level terms when he was fouled in the box.

Michael Wade stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way and make it 1-1. 

This should have been the catalyst for the Dragons to go on and secure the three points but instead Redlynch regrouped and came again.

Some poor marking allowed the Cyclones not one, but two opportunities to cross with the second being turned in past a stranded Syrett.

The Dragons had been on top in the moments leading up to the goal. Ian Marsh had just hit the post and Perry McIlroy had seen his goal-bound shot clawed away from the top corner by the impressive Redlynch keeper.

Just when it looked like the Dragons would be going home empty handed Ian Marsh controlled, turned and shot past the despairing keeper who perhaps should have done better given how impressive he had been up until that point.

This left the Dragons looking to push for all three points and this almost proved their undoing.

A long ball held up on the slow surface, meaning that the onrushing Syrett was caught in no man's land.

The ball was lobbed over him and looked to be heading into the back of the net but thankfully for the Dragons faithful it snuck just wide.

With time ebbing away the Dragons mounted a series of attacks.

Wade had a goal bound shot tipped over before he struck the killer blow as injury time approached.

His shot snuck under the despairing keeper and into the back of the net to give the Dragons the lead for the first time in the match.

It was a lead that they were able to hang on to in the dying minutes to record a precious if not impressive three points.

The Paddy’s Bar Man of the Match went to Perry McIlroy for his impressive midfield display while Chris Jenkin, called upon at very short notice, also performed well at centre half.

Next up for the Dragons is a trip to Tiger Park to take on Edge Hill where the Dragons will be looking to make up for a 2-0 pre season loss.