By Logan Marsh

The Douglas United Dragons have beaten JCU 2-0 at Cassowary Park on Friday night to maintain their unbeaten start to the season. 

JCU were always likely to provide a sterner test than previous weeks opponents Dimbulah and Redlynch, and while there was certainly more fight the difference in class was still noticeable. 

Had it not been for some wayward Dragons finishing, this too could have taken on a very one-sided look. Instead it was a goal in each half that secured the points that made it five wins from five games to start the year. 

JCU had given the Dragons a torrid time the last time they met with their direct running and while they tried to run at the Dragons defence at every opportunity the defending was better this time around, limiting the students to long range efforts on goal. Douglas were doing a much better job of keeping the ball as well, moving JCU around the pitch and probing for openings. 

There were indeed a number of chances but it was not until Matty Smith won yet another penalty that the Dragons took the lead. Tony Chivers stepped up to calmly slot the ball home and gave the home side a 1-0 half time lead.

The second half saw a very similar pattern followed. 

The Dragons kept possession well and attacked for the majority of the half. Luke Seaton was very impressive while Daniel Ferrero continued his excellent start to the year getting forward superbly from right back and eventually capping his performance with the goal that sealed the victory. 

Again there was further wastefulness from the Dragons but with JCU never really threatening the result was never in doubt.

The Paddys Bar Man of the Match went to  Ben Syrett who was composed as part of a back four that kept their third clean sheet in a row in the league.  Next up for the Dragons is a match against Edge Hill in Cairns on Friday night. 

They are the only team the Dragons have not played yet so will be somewhat of an unknown quantity as the Dragons look to increase their lead at the top of the table.