Recap
Imperious Expats Crush Rivals
Following the cancellation of the Dragoons fixture against Grom last weekend, the Expats took to the field for the first time for their second league fixture in the 21/22 season against Bronowicki on Sunday.
The opening ten minutes of the match saw the Dragoons dominate possession, but unable to create any clear cut chances.
Bronowicki stunned the Expats in the 14th minute, scoring with their first attack of the game. Karol Mochel found himself in space in the Dragoons box and hit a crisp effort beyond Gabi Muñoz and into the net.
The Dragoons looked to hit back immediately. Krzysztof Musiał showed good pace to get in behind the defence. The midfielder cut into the box, but saw his low pass stopped by Ireneusz Żak with Beattie waiting to pounce.
An excellent flowing move resulted in a Dragoons equaliser in the 19th minute. Simon Calabrese broke up a Bronowicki attack heading a long ball clear. The Expats worked the ball to Flavio Nkola who in turn threaded an excellent through pass to Yuri Samyonov. With just Żak to beat the Israeli forward took his time, before calmly side-footing the ball into the net for 1-1.
Fabulous Flavio
Ten minutes later and the Dragoons took the lead for the first time in the game. An electric counter-attack saw Flavio Nkola accelerate past the defence and into the corner of box. The forward blasted a shot from a tight angle, which nestled into the bottom corner of the net just inside the post. A really good finish to watch back in the highlights!
Nkola again went close in the 34th minute, hitting a powerful long range effort that Żak had to collect at the second attempt.
Two minutes later, and the Dragoons nearly added their third goal. Another quick counter-attack saw the Expats break forward. Yuri Samyonov played in Jamie Beattie, however Żak flew off his line to deny the chance.
Bronowicki had not created much, however nearly grabbed a goal back in the 39th minute. Konrad Wójtowiec latched onto the ball and launched a low shot at goal. The effort beat Muñoz all ends up, but bounced back off of the post – a real let off for the Expats!
Moments later, the Dragoons further extended their lead with a third goal. A trademark long-throw from Michał Nowak proved too much for Żak to handle. The visiting custodian inexplicably dropped the ball and Simon Calabrese reacted fastest to slide in on the line to score for 3-1.
It could have been four just before half time. Flavio Nkola again broke into the Bronowicki box and saw his cross just evade Samyonov at the far post.
Despite the slow start, the Dragoons showed excellent counter-attacking to ensure a deserved lead at the break.
Second Half
The visitors started the half brightly and nearly reduced the arrears with a headed effort going over the bar.
Half time substitute Emre Bezirkan saw his first involvement straight down the other end. The attacker played the ball into the box, which Nkola looked to win. Żak raced out of goal to toe the ball away from the Dragoons forward sending Nkola sprawling to the deck. Despite the Expats appealing for a penalty, the referee ruled that Nkola had fouled the visiting keeper!
Nkola was at the heart of the action once again as the Dragoons made it 4-1. The winger waltzed into the box and picked out the unmarked Samyonov for a simple tap in at the far post. An easy finish for the Dragoons wingman and his second goal and Nkola’s second assist of the game.
Into the 59th minute, Nkola accelerated into the box, bamboozling the Bronowicki defence once again. The Angolan flashed a dangerous ball across the face of goal, however, no Dragoons men could get on the end of the cross.
Marvellous Muñoz to the Rescue
On the hour mark, a defensive mishap nearly gave Bronowicki a way back into the match. A loose pass from the defence saw the visitors on goal with just Muñoz to beat. The Bronowicki forward tried to dink the ball over the stranded keeper’s head, but the Chilean showed incredible reflexes to somehow palm the ball over the bar. A real save for the cameras!
The Dragoons continued to create chances and Nkola almost grabbed a third assist. The forward had all the time in the world in the box and passed the ball towards substitute Adrian Paliś. Just as the striker shaped to shoot, a foot from a defender denied the chance. Paliś turned onto the loose ball, but could only strike his shot into Żak’s arms.
In the 72nd minute, Scott Halcrow expertly put Paliś through on goal. The striker again saw his effort saved by Żak to deny the Dragoons a fifth goal.
As the game became stretched, both sides came close to scoring. Nkola flashed a shot wide and Wójtowiec twice sent efforts into the side netting. Despite the Dragoons dominance Wójtowiec always looked to be a danger on the counter.
Edoardo Battaglion found himself in the box in the 78th minute. With the ball bouncing awkwardly, the full back could not decide whether to head it or not and in the end performed a strange looking star jump. Paliś pounced on the loose ball and forced Żak to palm it for a corner.
And it’s… Five
Adrian Paliś battle with Żak continued a moment later as the Bronowicki man again denied the striker. The visitors could not clear their lines and Musiał played the ball back into the unmarked Paliś. On this occasion, the Dragoons all time leading scorer made no mistake firing the ball high into the net for 5-1.
The imperious Dragoons continued to come forward against an exhausted Bronowicki backline. Żak again denied Paliś and also saved from Nkola, following a great move involving Bezirkan in the build-up.
Late into the second half and a foul on Nkola in the box gave the Dragoons a penalty. Adrian Paliś took hold of the ball and made no mistake in scoring his second and the Expats sixth goal.
The referee soon brought the game to an end with the rampant Dragoons winning the points in a deserved victory. Flavio Nkola was in exceptional form and Emre Bezirkan put in an excellent second half performance – a real Turkish Delight!
Next up for the Expats will be an away fixture against Opatkowianka, who are without victory after two games this season.
