By Logan Marsh

The Douglas United Dragons have left it until injury time to secure a much needed win against Marlin Coast at Trinity Beach on Saturday night. The Dragons dominated the match but could not turn that domination into goals and had to come from behind in order to take the three points. The result leaves the Dragons on ten points at the completion of the first round and within striking distance of the top four.

The call was for the Dragons to start the match with more intensity than previous weeks and while they started brightly it was not long before a mix up had them on the back foot. A well weighted through ball led to confusion between Josh Gibson and the onrushing Gary Fitzgerald with the ball spilling out into the path of a Marlin Coast player who made no mistake in strolling the ball into the empty net.

The Dragons responded albeit a little slowly at first. As the half grew though so did the Dragons dominance but for all their pressing and probing they were unable to find an equaliser, with the final ball again letting the Dragons down. It was through a more fortuitous incident that the Dragons did get back on level terms just before the half time interval. Ian Marsh’s inswinging free kick managed to evade everyone and nestle itself in the far corner of the net to make the score 1-1 at the break.

The second half was virtually one-way traffic with Marlin Coast having to withstand increasing amounts of pressure from the Dragons. However, as in the first half the Dragons final ball was not quite as precise as it needed to be and they were unable to get the goal that would have put them in front. A slight tinkering in the formation saw James Cooling move into a striking role and he almost made the most of it when he skipped clear of two defenders only to shoot straight at the keeper. Substitute Andy Warburton should also have done better when played through one on one but the keeper was out smartly the smother the shot.  

When Marlin Coast did win possession of the ball they posed the odd threat with their willingness to throw players forward quickly. They should have taken the lead with about five minutes remaining when a free header flashed across the face of goal, narrowly avoiding sneaking inside the far post. Just when it looked like the match would end in a stalemate, Warburton got on the end of a bouncing through ball and lobbed the advancing keeper to give the Dragons a priceless three points.

The Paddy’s Bar Man of the Match went to Perry McIlroy who had a fine game pulling the strings in the middle of the park. Gary Fitzgerald was again a rock at the back while Matty Smith put in a good shift in his first game in the prems for a good few weeks. In the earlier game the Reserves were too strong for Marlin Coast, winning 3-0 with goals to Andy Warburton (2) and Yuttana Taotong. That result sees them consolidate their second position in the league standings.

Next week sees both sides have the bye as the Dragons were due to play Redlynch who have subsequently been withdrawn from the competition. The next match for the Dragons is a home match against Edge Hill where the Dragons will be looking for revenge after a humiliating defeat in the first round. The Reserves will kick off at 3pm with the Premiers kicking off at 5pm.