Recap
Dragoons Defeated Again
A rare midweek fixture saw the Dragoons take on Galicja Raciborowice on Wednesday. Despite being a home game, the Expats agreed to play the game on the grass surface at Raciborowice.
Hugo Cruz made five changes to the team that fell to a crushing 6-2 defeat to Ekler Baranówka in the week.
Marcin Obyrtacz returned to action to take the number 1 jersey ahead of Lorenzo Bartolomei. Roman Bilovol returned to the starting lineup, with Josh Dawson, Kuba Drobny and Piotr Hajnrych keeping their place in the team.
Enrico Forabosco and captain Mark Szczesnowicz returned to the team to partner Jan Krzyżanowski. Meanwhile, Omar Atzori and Brian Lemmen dropped out of the squad due to unavailability.
Francesco Leuci started once again, but on this occasion, the usual full-back found himself on the right wing. Rohit Chandran started for the first time in three games and Barry Chowaniec continued in attack.
Kick Off
The Dragoons started the game quickly and an early shot by Mark Szczesnowicz called Tomasz Misiak in action in only the 1st minute.
Less than 30 seconds later, the Australian came close again with another shot from range. However, this time the shot whistled narrowly wide of the post.
Galicja began to get more of a foothold on the game and began to pressure the Expats rearguard. In the eighth minute, a ball across the face of the goal saw an attempt come goalwards, with Kuba Drobny clearing away.
Visitors Break The Deadlock
A rather even contest had both sides getting forward, however, the first goal came against a run on play on 15 minutes. A rapid counter-attack from the visitors saw quick pass and move football split the Dragoons’ defence. A pass came across the goal and Jarosław Kania took advantage of slack marking to tap the ball into an unguarded net for 0-1.
Galicja Double Their Lead
Five minutes later déjà vu occurred as Galicja added a second goal. The Dragoons struggled to deal with the 3 pronged attack early doors and the visitors made them pay. An excellent through-ball released Kania on goal and he struck firmly past Obyrtacz from 20 metres to make it 2-0.
Not long after, the Expats had a good chance for an immediate riposte from a free-kick. Forabosco curled the ball into the box with Josh Dawson getting onto the end of it. Unfortunately, the big Englishman could not get his angles right and volleyed wide from close range.
A positive move down the right saw Leuci try to burst past the defence, winning a free-kick after a Galicja handball. Forabosco attempted a direct low shot at goal, but Misiak did well to get down to make the save.
Penalty Converted!
On 31 minutes, the Dragoons hauled themselves back into the game from the penalty spot. Great play from Leuci saw the Italian win possession and release Chowaniec. The striker darted into the box and an outstretched arm from an opponent derailed the Pole in his tracks. Enrico Forabosco stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way for his 6th goal of the season. The goal meant that the midfield magician tops the Expats’ goalscoring charts so far this season.
With five minutes of the half to play, a vicious free-kick came into the Dragoons’ box towards the far post. Obyrtacz did well to deny an attacker from close range with the Expats unable to clear the danger. A shot came from the edge of the box, however, Dawson stuck a leg out to deny a goal.
From the following corner, the Dragoons again failed to sufficiently clear their lines. On this occasion, Obyrtacz did well to sprawl across the goal to keep the effort out.
Great Chance!
Into the final few seconds, the Dragoons somehow missed a great chance to pull level. Forabosco played a pass forward with Chowaniec working the channel to get to the ball first. The striker ran into the box and pulled the ball back unselfishly for Chandran waiting by the penalty spot. The Indian whirlwind cut inside a defender onto his weaker left foot and shot tamely for Misiak to save. Chowaniec looked the favourite to score on the rebound, however, a grounded defender managed to stick a leg out to block the shot. Galicja cleared the ball away, with the Dragoons failing to take a glorious chance.
Half time came shortly later and the Expats went into the break behind. Two counter-attack goals had punished the Expats, who had played well for the most part.
Second Half
The Dragoons started well and dominated the early stages of the second half. The first chance of the half came from a Forabosco corner. The ball came sailing across the box with Drobny meeting it with his head. Unfortunately, the defender couldn’t keep the ball down and diverted his header over the bar.
With an hour on the clock, the Dragoons came perilously close to equalling the game as good football saw the Expats manoeuvre into the Galicja half. Hajnrych played a pass into Forabosco, who played a one-two with Chowaniec before launching a low shot goalward. The shot beat Misiak all ends up, only to strike the base of the post to deny the Italian a second goal.
Sloppy Defending
Despite having the better of the half, the Dragoons conceded sloppily to fall 3-1 behind on 63 minutes. The Expats lost the ball from their throw deep inside their own half of the pitch. Galicja turned over possession far too easily and Damian Lis took advantage of extremely slack defending, to gallop through the Dragoons’ backline to calmly slot the ball past Obyrtacz and into the net. A really poor effort from the Expats whose defence appeared to part like the Red Sea and a real miracle would be needed to win the game from here.
Galicja continued to apply the pressure and came close to adding a fourth goal. With the Dragoons’ defence out of position, a long ball came towards the right flank to Maciej Krauss. The shaven-headed forward cut inside to shoot, but an outstretched leg from Obyrtacz denied the effort.
A Fourth Straight Defeat
In terms of chances, little fell the way of either side. Injuries affected the Expats with Barry Chowaniec, Mark Szczesnowicz, Rohit Chandran and Piotr Hajnrych being forced off. However, the changes for the Dragoons saw the side completely lose momentum and the game ended with a fourth straight defeat.
The Dragoons remain in 9th position in the table following the defeat. The boys put in a determined performance, but could not take advantage when on top in the game.
