Longbar Dragons

Longbar Dragons 2 Oranje 3 (after extra time) A rain drenched arena may not have been first choice for a game of ‘total football’ but the stage was set for this exciting League cup quarter-final show down. The only previous encounter between the two sides earlier in the season, left the Dutch with a convincing 4:1 win and favourites for this match against the rookie Dragons. After the first 30 minutes, with the Dutch already up 2:0 up, it certainly looked as though it was going to be another formality for the men and woman in Orange. The Dragons seemed to be in disarray and were failing to contain the midfield. This was certainly not the same side that had been beating the famous Shanghai Shooters one week earlier. Byron Cole was playing in an unfamiliar position in midfield (replacing last weeks man of match Marjesky) with Ben Peters playing central defender. The talent of Soares and Jeff Xu in midfield was not being allowed to create any resistance or counter offensive as the team overall seemed to be lacking the bite required in the early bruising exchanges. A combination of tackles and passes being lost too easily made it tough for them to get in the game. With15 minutes to go in the first half, player-coach Chris Golding was introduced to see if he was able to turn the tide. Still recovering from the injury, which has ruled him out for most of the season, he started on the right of midfield instead of his usual central position. He was unable to make any impact from there before a controversial linesman decision gave the Dutch a free run, one on one, with Hughes and their second goal. The only bright spot of the first half for the Dragons was Golding finishing the half more strongly than he has since September. Whatever was said in the Dragons changing room at half time, it seemed to help the reorganised team in the second half. Cole moved in to the back allowing Rick Howard to move up to left midfield. Golding took central position, Xu moved in to attack and Peter Harris returned in midfield. Peters also looked more comfortable. This gave the Dragons more balance and a competitive edge that had been lacking in the earlier 45 minutes. They began to move the ball as they can and match the Dutch in the physical department. This unsettled the team in Orange who had got used to having it all their own way. Golding sealed the hole in the middle and was distributing the ball left and right as the Dragons slowly began to build momentum and gradually dominate. Goals were inevitable. Sean Capes eventually obliged to take their first and Rick Howard levelled the game with 5 minutes of normal time to go. The Dragons were hungry. The exhausted and shell-shocked Dutch looked like they would become their first serious prey. The full time whistle gave them some respite. ‘Golden goal’ extra time saw The Dragons start as they’d finished. Clear chances fell for them to seal the game and join the semi finalists but this wasn’t to be their day. After such a period of sustained pressure, the Dutch threw a last bid counter attack at the Dragons goal and their relief was celebrated as the only serious attempt they’d had for a whole hour hit the back of the net. A disappointed Golding remained philosophical. “ We should be in the last 4 from a performance like that. After such a poor start and a dubious line call, I’m pleased about how we reacted and pulled together. I’m sure the Dutch we feel fortunate to have edged this one. Sean (Capes) will be gutted not to have put us in the semi’s but we shouldn’t forget his contribution for 110 minutes. In fact, everyone raised their game from the second half. The young Fisterbusch was solid, Berney did a lot off the ball and Howard did what we know he can do. I’m also pleased that my body held up too! The future’s looking bright”. As they sit second from bottom in the league and now only in the FA cup, it could be easy for non spectators to think that their season is over. Golding has other ideas. “ Our season so far has been a huge learning curve. Today’s game was an acid test of how far we’ve come. Although we lost the tie, we have shown in the last two weeks (Shooters 3:2) that we can make an impression. We can now climb to an impressive first season place in the league and maybe we’ll have more luck in the FA cup. As far as I’m concerned, this is where our season starts”. The squad is beginning to look more formidable. Dan Hughes returns in a few weeks. Mark Suchy, Emanuel Le bouille and new signing Justin Pau will add greater depth and when Golding is fully match fit, it will be interesting to see how far they can go. As 100/1 outsiders for the FA cup, this might be a good time to place a bet. We’ll probably see those odds tumble over the coming weeks. Don’t forget you heard it here first! Next league game, Japan Man of the Match. Fisterbusch – growing in stature