Recap
The Unbeaten Streak Ends
The Dragoons faced off against a strong opponent in 3rd place Pychowianka at Nadwiślan on Sunday.
A number of changes saw Dmytro Kontsevyi replace Jacob Biddlecombe in between the sticks. Joaquin Serrano, Jamie Beattie and Emre Çolakoğlu came out of the side with Adrian Paliś, Yuri Samyonov and captain Mark Szczesnowicz coming into the starting line-up.
A pensive start to the game did not yield many chances for either side. Both the Dragoons and Pychowianka had early corner kicks, however nothing came from the set-pieces.
In the 12th minute, a burst down the right flank saw Rohit Chandran chopped down resulting in a free-kick. Enrico Forabosco curled the ball into the area, making its way into the path of Chandran inside the box.
The Indian attacker dallied with the ball at his feet in attempt to make space to shoot, but saw a defender come across to nick it off his toes.
Moments after, a corner into the box found the head of Josh Dawson. The dangerous defender could not crank his neck back quick enough, sending the ball looping in the air and Pychowianka cleared the danger.
You Don’t Save Those
Pychowianka opened the scoring in spectacular style in the 18th minute of the game. Marek Pałach took advantage of the loose ball on the edge of the box and launched an unstoppable effort into the top corner, giving Dmytro Kontsevyi no chance.
The Dragoons came close to an instant equaliser moments after the opening goal. Adrian Paliś found space on the left flank and crossed the ball into the box. Yuri Samyonov latched onto the pass, took a touch to beat a defender and flashed a shot at goal. Paweł Fabryczewski in the Pychowianka goal proved to be equal to the effort, getting down well to save with his legs.
The Dragoons Level The Score
With half hour on the clock, the Dragoons pulled themselves back into the match with an equaliser. Enrico Forabosco threaded a beautiful through-pass into the path of Adrian Paliś. The deadly striker made no mistake in firing past Fabryczewski to equal the score to 1-1.
Own Goal Pain
Just three minutes later, Pychowianka restored their lead as disaster struck for the Expats. Calamitous defending under the high press of the visitors saw Brian Lemmen pass the ball back to Kontsevyi. The goalkeeper inexplicably miscontrolled the backpass, with the ball dribbling painfully across the line and into the net.
Once again, the Dragoons had a chance for an instant reply. A free-kick from just outside the penalty area gave Enrico Forabosco the opportunity to equalise. The midfield magician hit a sweet curling effort at goal, but could not beat Fabryczewski, who pushed the ball away for a corner.
Straight down the other end, Pychowianka won a free-kick on the right flank in an ideal crossing position. The resulting set piece saw a visiting player win the ball in the air, but could not steer the header on target. A big let off for the Dragoons.
The remainder of the half saw both sides cancel each other out in an ill-tempered affair. The Dragoons struggled to break down their opponents and create any clear-cut opportunities.
Second Half
Into the second half, the first real opportunity fell to Pychowianka in the 55th minute.
A long-throw into the box found a visiting opponent glance a header at goal. Kontsevyi launched himself to his left to deny the chance, pushing the ball out of play.
Pychowianka continued to put the pressure on the Dragoons and came close again in the 58th minute. The gigantic goalscorer Pałach used his height to get onto the end of a ball into the box, but could not find the target on this occasion.
A Missed Opportunity
Into the 60th minute the Dragoons had a glorious opportunity to level the game. A free-kick into the box from Forabosco flew over the flapping Fabryczewski and found the head of Josh Dawson. With an open net at his mercy, the defender could not guide the ball at the goal, missing the target by inches.
Several changes for both sides saw neither side able to really up the ante, cancelling each other out on every occasion.
A long pass over the top from the Expats saw Martin Voženílek beat the defence in a footrace to the ball. Fabryczewski sprinted out of his box just as the winger looked to take a touch and made an excellent sliding challenge.
From the resulting tackle, the ball looped into the air and landed at the feet of Enrico Forabosco. The Italian cut inside onto his preferred left foot, but sent his effort at goal just over the crossbar.
The visitors had an excellent opportunity to further their lead in the 84th minute with a set-piece on the edge of the Dragoons box. The resulting shot did not trouble Kontsevyi however, flying high over the bar.
Red Card!
In the 82nd minute, Pychowianka’s Szymon Zając received his marching orders from the referee for dissent. The official had proven to be a strict disciplinarian throughout the game, booking a number of visiting players for talking back. On this occasion Zajac saw a straight red produced!
The final chance of the game came in the last minute as the Dragoons poured forward looking to capitalise on their man advantage. A long-throw into the box from Simon Calabrese saw the ball reach Enrico Forabosco. The midfielder arched to shoot at goal, but could not wrap his foot around the ball and sent the effort wide.
With the chance gone, the whistle soon sounded ending the Dragoons long winning streak.
A stop start game due to niggly fouls, dissent and a lack of clearcut opportunities produced a turgid game of football, that the visitors edged despite having only a few attempts on target.
In a disappointing performance, the Expats could not find any tempo in either half and struggled with their passing game. Pychowianka on the other hand looked fired up from the off and did not let the Dragoons breathe with their high press.
Despite the defeat, the Dragoons still find themselves 6 points ahead of the nearest rivals Rybitwy. Pychowianka strengthened their grip in third place, but are 11 points behind the Expats.
Next time out, the Expats have a second consecutive home fixture and face 8th place Kolejarz-Prokocim II Kraków. In the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign the Dragoons romped to a 3-0 victory. Two early goals from Yuri Samyonov and third strike from Adrian Paliś earnt the Dragoons all three points.
