By Logan Marsh

There was action aplenty at Cassowary Park on Saturday night with the Douglas United Dragons going down 4-1 to top Townsville side Brothers in the Northern Club Challenge. 

There were goals, red cards, ambulances and an all in scuffle in a physical confrontation that left the Dragons still searching for their first win of the season. 

Still there were positives to take from the game as the Dragons matched it with their more fancied opponents for long periods. 

Brothers jumped out of the gates quickly and it looked like being a long night for the Dragons. 

Brothers kept possession easily in the opening minutes and went close from an early corner. 

The Dragons dug in though and defended doggedly while trying to gain a foothold on the match themselves when they attacked. 

It was Brothers though who were easily the better side in the first half an hour and they were rewarded for their ascendency with a two goal lead.

From this point on though the Dragons began to take more responsibility and looked to keep hold of the ball for longer periods. 

The result was a more even share of possession as well as an unsettling of the Brothers' play. 

The Townsville outfit did not like the Dragons physical approach although it was one of the more innocuous, albeit late fouls, that resulted in a fractured leg for a Brothers player. 

However, there were one or two reckless challenges flying in and as a result of one of these Marty Friars, playing his first game of the year, was sent of just before half time for his second bookable offence leaving the Dragons with a mountain to climb in the second half.

And the Dragons gave every indication that they were willing to climb that mountain. 

An excellent start to the half ensued, culminating in them pulling a goal back through Gavin Jenkin. 

Unfortunately the mentality of the side was called into question soon after when Brothers went straight down the other end and restored their two goal cushion. 

It is these sort of schoolboy errors that need to be cut out if the Dragons are to start winning matches. 

Soon after there was a flashpoint that had been threatening for sometime. Sam Buckler’s hard but well-timed tackle incensed the Brothers players with one lashing out at the Dragons player instigating a bit of pushing and shoving as players raced from all over to get involved. 

Buckler was shown a straight red for the challenge as was the Brothers player who retaliated.

As the game moved towards its conclusion there was time for a fourth Brothers goal. 

Gary Fitzgerald made the initial save but the follow up fell to a Brothers midfielder who slotted the ball into the empty net to make the final score 4-1. 

The Paddy’s Bar Man of the Match went to Gary Cunningham who was solid at the back and, along with Buckler, instrumental in the change in mindset that allowed the Dragons to start competing on a more even footing.

Next up for the Dragons is a massive game against the FNQ Heat. Massive for two reasons in that the Dragons must begin to pick up points if they are to challenge for a place in the top four and because the match is being played at the Port Douglas Sporting Complex. 

It is the first time in history that the Dragons will be playing a match in Port Douglas so get along cheer on the boys as they look to record their first win of the year. 

The match will also be followed but the FNQ FC Heat state league side playing the Western Pride in the National Premier League, showcasing the top players in the entire state. 

The Douglas United Reserves kick off at 3pm, the Premiers at 5pm while the State League game kicks off at 7:30pm with our juniors acting as mascots and ball boys as well as playing exhibition matches at half time.