Recap
Seventh Heaven for the Dragoons
The Dragoons took to their travels for their second game after the restart of the season as they faced off against Opatkowianka, a side who took the spoils the last time the two sides met.
An electric start by the visiting side saw the deadlock opened in only the third minute of the match. Michał Nowak’s long throw proved too hot for the home goalkeeper to handle and Yuri Samyonov reacted quickest to poke the ball into an empty net for his first goal for the Dragoons.
Despite the Dragoons early dominance, they had to be on their guard in the seventh minute. Opatkowianka fizzed in a low free-kick and Muñoz García required to save well at the near post with his legs.
The Dragoons looked to up the ante early doors and had a number of chances to double their lead. Full back Battaglion had the best of those chances, reacting quickest to a deflected Musiał shot, but his headed effort bounced just wide of the post.
Flavio Fantastico
It did not take much longer for the Dragoons to further establish their dominance in the 23rd minute. Paliś battled well and hooked a fabulous ball forward for Nkola. The winger burst forward with blistering pace past the home defence, rounding the onrushing goalkeeper and calmly passing the ball into an empty net.
The Dragoons solidified their dominance in the 28th minute. Simon Calabrese found himself unmarked from a Forabosco free kick to nonchalantly nod the ball into the back of the net. The centre-back became the second Dragoons man of the day to grab their first league goal for the club.
A fourth goal of the game followed just two minutes later, as the beleaguered home side hit back with a goal of their own. A corner-kick found Kurleto free in the box. The Opatkowianka man headed at goal, and his effort deflected past the despairing Muñoz García and into the net.
An end-to-end battle ensued following the Opatkowianka goal, with numerous chances being created for both sides. Neither side managed to trouble the score line and the Dragoons went into the half time break with a 3-1 lead.
Second Half
Into the second half, the home side came out strongly. They had chance to claw their way back into the game and forced Muñoz García into an early save.
The Dragoons weathered the early pressure and began to start gaining the upper hand.
The away side should have added to their lead in the 61st minute. A scintillating run from Nkola saw the winger present Paliś with a great chance to score the Dragoons fourth goal. However, the usually deadly marksman could only drag his shot wide of the target on this occasion.
It did not take long for the fourth goal to arrive only two minutes later as Nkola forced a corner-kick. A quick-fire corner saw Musiał pick up the loose ball and his early cross found Samyonov free in the box. The wideman planted a strong header past the stranded Opatkowianka goalkeeper and into the net for his second goal.
Moments after the fourth goal, the Dragoons continued to pour forward and Nkola forced the home keeper into a save.
A Michaɫ Missile!
The following corner made its way to Nowak 25 yards from goal, who in turn rifled a left footed effort. The ball whistled through a forest of legs in the penalty-box and nestled into the corner of the net. A lovely strike that sent the fans into delirium!
Five became six in the 73rd minute. The Opatkowianka defence parted like the Red Sea to allow Samyonov his hat-trick chance, but saw his shot saved. The rebound fell kindly to Forabosco, who showed great technique to volley the ball into the net from 18 yards.
The home side had conceded three goals in ten minutes, however, still pushed forward to reduce the arrears. The Opatkowianka number 7 found himself in on goal, however, could not find a way past Muñoz García.
Opatkowianka came even closer to grabbing their second goal moments later. However, the post came to the Dragoons rescue on this occasion.
As game headed into injury time, The Dragoons added a seventh goal through Adrian Paliś. The striker scored for a second consecutive week, smashing home from close range to wrap a comprehensive victory.
The result saw the Dragoons in seventh heaven.
They now soar into second place and the result sets up a crucial but mouth-watering fixture against Victoria next week. Victoria remain a point behind the Expat side following their defeat against last weekend’s opposition Pychowianka.
Update: due to a clerical error with an unauthorised player the result was forfeited and a walkover given in favour of our opposition (Opatkowianka 3-0 Dragoons).
