Recap
Sun, Goals, Three Points
The Dragoons marched back into action on a blisteringly hot Sunday morning against Radziszowianka Radziszów II.
Following the 2-0 victory over Pogoń II Krakow last weekend, Head Coach Gonçalo Ferreira welcomed back key leaders to the starting lineup.
Change to the line up as Flavio Nkola 🇦🇴 replaces Adrian Paliś 🇵🇱 on the bench. https://t.co/WxQA2DtBWF
— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) May 3, 2026
Marcin Obyrtacz remained between the posts, while Kuba Drobny returned to partner Roman Bilovol in central defence. Meanwhile, Jan Krzyżanowski earned his first start at right-back with a specific man-marking assignment. Koki Oe continued at left back as Alessandro Torpedine missed the game through injury and Szymon Urzędowski dropped to the bench.
In midfield, Omar Atzori anchored the midfield alongside captain Enrico Forabosco and the returning marathon man, Rob Smits. The Spanish duo of Fernando Gámez and Bernabé Ureba García dropped out of the XI with the latter starting on the bench.
Into the attacking positions, Flavio Nkola returned from injury to join Barry Chowaniec and Martin Voženílek who continued from last week. Mirko Barile dropped out of the side, missing the game due to unavailability.
The Hosts Strike Early
The game had barely kicked off when the Expats fell behind to the first real attack of the game. In the 2nd minute, the Dragoons defence were cut apart with a smart through-ball to put Filip Sarapata on goal. The striker showed great calmness to produce a clinical finish beyond Marcin Obyrtacz to put Radziszowianka into a 1-0 lead.
Expats Respond
Despite going behind, the Expats looked to immediately get back into the game. Koki Oe blasted over before a great chance fell to Flavio Nkola. Martin Voženílek picked up a loose pass high in the Radziszowianka half, turned and slid a pass into Barry Chowaniec. The forward ran to the goal-line and pulled a pass across goal for an Nkola tap-in. However, excellent reactions from goalkeeper Franek Tomski saw the Angolan’s attempt saved from close range.
Penalty Dragoons
The Expats persistence paid off in the 8th minute when the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Good football saw Koki Oe cross to the back stick with Enrico Forabosco meeting the ball with a volley that struck an opponent. The Italian immediately looked to put the ball across goal, with his cross striking the same opponent’s arm. Rob Smits cannoned a shot into the net, but the referee had already blown for the penalty. Forabosco stepped up to the spot-kick and coolly sent the keeper the wrong way to notch his 54th club goal to level the game at 1-1.
CAPTAIN CLINICAL
Parity restored! After a handball in the box, Enrico Forabosco 🇮🇹 steps up to the spot and coolly sends the keeper the wrong way to bring the Expats level at 1-1 versus Radziszowianka II.
That’s goal number 54 for our midfield magician! 🪄✨
#COYD💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/kkUMNZIv2a
— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) May 5, 2026
The Heat Rises
As the half progressed, both sides battled the rising temperatures and each other for dominance. Both sides came close with Obyrtacz saving a long-range effort and Nkola, causing havoc with his movement, saw a brave defensive block deny him the chance to put the Expats ahead.
On 28 minutes, the Dragoons had a chance to counter with Martin Voženílek using his pace to burst through the Radziszowianka half. The Czech attempted to find Chowaniec, with a defender heading the ball narrowly past his own post.
From the resulting corner, Forabosco’s cross saw the ball bobble around the area before an acrobatic attempt by Drobny required a clearance in the six yard box.
Inches Wide
The Dragoons survived a massive scare and nearly gifted the hosts a second goal with 30 minutes on the clock. A communication breakdown saw Roman Bilovol attempt a pass-back to Obyrtacz. However, an attacker read the danger to slide in on the Dragoons keeper with a second opponent in close proximity to take advantage. Obyrtacz managed to recover well to make himself big, with a shot inside the box curling just past the post. A huge let off…
Expats Take the Lead
Not long after, the Expats punished the hosts profligacy infront of goal to go into the lead in the 39th minute. Koki Oe won possession excellently, tackling an opponent and marching up the left flank. The Japanese wing-back looked up and slid a smart pass to find the run of Rob Smits on the edge of the box. The Dutchmeester let the ball run across him and let fly with a low curling drive beyond the dive of Tomski and into the net as the Expats went 2-1 ahead.
ORANJEBOOOOOOM 💥🧡
The Dragoons go ahead!
Koki Oe 🇯🇵 wins possession brilliantly and finds Rob Smits’ 🇳🇱 surge forward on the edge of the area. The Dutchmeester lets the ball roll across him and sends a pinpoint low drive into the corner of the net for 1-2! 🔥
#COYD💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/tDIl9OTHOz
— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) May 5, 2026
As the half ran into the last five minutes, Radziszowianka pressed forward in attempt to equalise. However, the Expats restricted the hosts to shots from range that failed to unduly threaten Obyrtacz.
The halftime whistle soon sounded with the Dragoons good value for their lead. It had been an entertaining game of football, with the Expats fairly comfortable despite falling behind early on. Ferreira’s charges had restricted the hosts to long range attempts and had looked dangerous down both flanks.
Second Half
The second half began with the hosts pushing aggressively for a quick equaliser. A foul on the edge of the box gave the hosts a good opportunity to get back into the game almost immediately after the whistle. A poor initial attempt struck the Dragoons wall, but fell kindly to dangerman Jakub Śladowski who rifled a shot at goal. However, Koki Oe found himself in the right place, at the right time to clear off the line and preserve the Dragoons slender lead.
Down the other end, Forabosco intercepted a poor pass from a defender and slid Chowaniec through on goal. The Polish attacker took on his shot early, but Tomski closed the gap well and denied the Dragoons going further ahead.
Four minutes later, Radziszwianka passed up another chance to get level. On this occasion, a cross into the box found Sarapata completely unmarked just six yards out. Fortunately, the forward headed tamely straight at Obyrtacz as the Dragoons goal survived another scare.
Smits at the Double
The Dragoons made the hosts pay dearly as they doubled their lead in the 66th minute. Forabosco’s ball into the box failed to beat the first man, as Flavio Nkola ran out of the box to retain possession for his side. The Angolan dropped a shoulder to beat an opponent and whacked a high ball towards the far post. Smits timed his run to perfection to run unmarked and guide a close range volley into the net for 3-1. A 22nd goal for the Dutchman and a great time to seal a brace and provide a vital cushion for the Dragoons.
DOUBLE DUTCH✌️
Lekker Robbie! Flavio Nkola 🇦🇴 beats his man and lofts a perfect ball to the far post where Rob Smits 🇳🇱times his run to perfection to volley home his second of the game!
22 goals and counting for the Dutchman💪
#COYD💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/lIl1nZdXXl
— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) May 5, 2026
With the heat burning down, and a host of changes made by both sides, the game began to slow down in pace. However, momentum stayed with the visitors and substitute Bernabe García forced two excellent saves from Tomski, both in the 77th minute. The keeper pushed the pair of efforts over the bar to deny the Spaniard a maiden Dragoons goal.
Bilovol Brilliance
From the corner directly after García’s second effort, the Expats further extended their lead with a fourth goal. Forabosco floated the ball into the box. His pass found Roman Bilovol, who rose highest to nod the ball home, seemingly putting the game out of reach at 1-4…
FOUR-MIDABLE!!
Enrico Forabosco 🇮🇹 floats a trademark corner into the danger zone and Roman Bilovol 🇦🇷 gets there first to head home! The Argentine defender makes it 1-4 with the Dragoons flying✈️
#COYD💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/aPevLpkpim
— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) May 5, 2026
Radziszowianka Strike Back
However, Radziszowianka refused to surrender and pulled one back from a corner in the 84th minute. The set-piece into the Dragoons box saw Paweł Płonka run unmarked from the edge of the area to send a thumping header past Obyrtacz to reduce the score to 2-4.
Two minutes after, the Dragoons almost grabbed a fifth goal after a ruthless counter. Koki Oe went flying down the right wing and looked to find Adrian Paliś in the box. However, a miscued cross angled towards the goal and forced Tomski to push the ball against his own bar. The ball fell kindly to Giacomo Simonetti at a tight angle, who sent a vicious strike at goal, but Tomski somehow recovered to push the shot away.
Deficit Further Reduced!
As the game reached the 90th minute, Radziszowianka scored a third goal to add a tense end of the game for the Dragoons. The Expats failed to clear their lines and Płonka recovered from being on the deck to poke the ball through Obyrtacz’s legs. 3-4 and still four minutes of injury time to play…
Radziszowianka piled forward in attempt to grab an unlikely point. However, the Expats managed to just about hold on and a clearance under pressure saw the referee blow his whistle to end an entertaining game.
The Dragoons Hold On!
Despite falling behind early, the Dragoons showed immense team-spirit and quality to secure the victory. The Expats worked tirelessly in the heat to score at vital times and take the game away from their opponents. Jan Krzyżanowski came into the team to do a job on the opposing winger and kept him quiet throughout. The youngster aided by the experience of Drobny, Forabosco, Atzori, Nkola and Smits shone to give Head Coach Gonçalo Ferreira a welcome selection headache.
Although overconfidence and a lack of concentration nearly cost them, the Expats dug deep to hold on. Radziszowianka played their part in a good game, but the Dragoons now enjoy a four-point gap in 5th place.
🎖 MOTM: Jasiu Krzyżanowski 🎖
The youngest-ever Dragoon put in a defensive masterclass at RB, keeping the danger man in his pocket! 🛡️
Top mentions to Rob Smits for his brace ⚽⚽ and Koki Oe for a tireless shift & assist. 👟
Grit, discipline, and a vital win! 👏#COYD 💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/3Uaic2F06r
— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) May 4, 2026
Next Up
Next weekend, the Dragoons face a tough home match against 2nd-place Trzebol Wielkie Drogi. The Expats were thrashed 4-1 the last time these sides met, with Obed Sánchez scoring the only goal. Kuba Drobny blasted a late penalty over the crossbar, with the miss just about summing up the display.
Trzebol are currently unbeaten in four games and lost their chance to go to the top of the table after a 1-1 draw against Dąbski Krakow this past weekend.
