By Logan Marsh

The Douglas United Dragons have bounced back from their humiliating FNQ Cup defeat to Division 2 side JCU with a comprehensive 5-0 win over Southside at Cassowary Park on Sunday evening.

Perry McIlroy was the only change to the team from the 1-0 win over Leichardt, coming in for the injured James Cooling, and finally having some consistency in selection seems to be helping the Dragons cause, collecting a second consecutive three points and a second clean sheet to boot.

The match started well for the Dragons, knocking the ball around at will and fashioning a number of half chances.

It was not until Ian Marsh’s slide rule pass found its way to Michael Wade that the Dragons dominance was translated onto the scoreboard. Wade too his time to pick his spot and lashed it into the far corner of the net.

Midway through the half the Dragons made it two when Wade’s near post corner snuck past a number of defenders and managed to cross the line to give the Dragons a 2-0 half time lead.

It was a fair reflection of the half with the Dragons dominating while having one major scare when a scuffed shot came back off the crossbar with keeper Gary Fitzgerald stranded.

The second half followed much the same pattern with the Dragons controlling the ball for large periods of the match.

Two further goals from Michael Wade wrapped up both the result as well as a hugely impressive display from the left winger.

Both strikes were quality strikes with the second an especially unstoppable strike. The match was put beyond doubt when Billy Thompson smashed home his first premier league goal, giving the Dragons a comfortable 5-0 victory.

There was no doubt who the Paddy’s Bar Man of the Match was with Michael Wade’s four goals making home the standout performer on the night.

There were a number of other quality performances however with Ian Marsh showing his class throughout and was unlucky not to have bagged a couple of goals himself.

Perry McIlroy was influential in midfield while the entire back four did well to record their second clean sheet in a row.

Earlier in the day the Reserve Grade side had an impressive 10-2 win with the goals being well shared round.

Next up for the Dragons is another home game against Stratford who are coming off an upset win over front runners Mareeba.

Games kick off at 5pm and 7pm so get out to Cassowary Park and support the Dragons.