Wednesday 29 May 2013

The Verri industries Douglas United Dragons travelled to Stratford on Saturday evening, knowing a victory against third-placed Stratford was the key to staying in touch with the top sides in the premier league.

After spending the week focused on defence and and maintaining possession, the Dragons were devastated to concede early on from a set piece, with a towering header from a Stratford defender breaking the deadlock.

The Dragons hit back immediately, and answered the Stratford goal with their own, also from a set piece, as Luke Finney delivered a free-kick for captain Nick Tither to score from his header back across goal.

A tug-of-war battle ensued, and it was no surprise a set piece was responsible for the next goal. Suspicions of a foul throw didn't prevent the referee from awarding a goal to Stratford - a long throw-in wasn't dealt with, and finished in the back of the net courtesy of an Ollie Moffat deflection.

Half time was a case of déjà vu for the Dragons; behind on the scoreboard but still very much in the contest.

Moffat was the first into action in the second half, and this time in the opposition's box. Showing composure, and holding off a couple of challenges, Moffat calmly slotted a goal to level the score, and inspiring the Dragons to push for victory. Once again though, the Dragons defence proved problematic. From the kick-off, the team somehow found themselves behind for the third time - again the ball goaled from a deflection, but more worrying was the lack of organisation defensively from the kick-off.

Credit is owed to the Dragons' character though, as their heads didn't drop going in search of an equaliser. The league's top goalscorer, Jamie Gosling managed to get into some space out wide on the left, and having left a couple of defenders for dead, he made no mistake from the edge of the area to level the scores once more.

Matty Smith, playing against his former club, was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when fouled in the box, with the referee deciding instead the foul was committed outside the area. Both sides went in search of the winning goal and created chances, but the final score stayed at 3-3.

Martyn Friars was awarded Man of the Match, after tormenting the opposition at full-back, and putting in a consistent performance for 90 minutes.

The Dragons were also involved in a cup competition quarter final, against Redlynch on Tuesday evening. With a few players out, and presented with an opportunity to rotate the squad, coach James Turner was happy to come away with a result, but not so happy with the first half performance.

After making a few changes and having been behind one nil, Turner was happy with Ashley Woods and Luke Finney scoring to get ahead, and Jamie Gosling scoring two to put the result beyond doubt. Ollie Moffat was awarded Man of the Match.

The Dragons head into this weekend's game against the FNQ Fusion, coached by former Douglas United coach Doug Baird. It should be a fantastic game of football, with both sides looking to play a possession-based game, and Baird's youngsters keen to learn from former pro Gosling.

Douglas Reserves kick-off at 5pm, with the Premiers kick-off at 7pm.