Saturdays opening UEFA European Championship match for the Dutch national side certainly didn’t affect the Texas Dutch Lions PDL side this week as they twice defeated New Orleans Jesters in the space of a couple of days.
After a 3-1 victory on the road at the Pan American Stadium in New Orleans, the Houston based team headed back to their home at Woodforest Bank Stadium buoyant in the mood that they could achieve the double over their Louisiana counterparts by defeating them again on Saturday evening.
In a double header at Woodforest, fans were treated to the Dutch sides Super 20’s earlier in the day who triumphed 5-2 over American Eagles, so expectations had already been built up to a feverish level in anticipation of yet another 3 points and a win.
New Orleans, who had returned a two game weekend the week previous against league leaders Austin Aztex with two tied matches, hadn’t read the script though and turned out in strength, taking an early lead through Patrick Mullins.
However, this lead was shortly to become hard to defend against after a red card was awarded to Martin Marfo. The Jester players were incensed by this card who clearly believed that the sending off was unjust, but the man in the middle had made his decision and Marfo marched off, leaving his team with 10 men to fight out the remaining 68 minutes of the game.
As the game progressed, the Jesters became under increasing pressure from the Lions but continually repelled any attack made on their goal area.
The teams moved into the second half and for the second time in this match, the visiting New Orleans side received another red card on the 67th minute. You would assume that this second sending off would sound the death knell for their hopes of holding onto the lead but hold on they did, at least for a while.
It took until the 85th minute for the Lions to eventually break down the Jesters defensive backline which seemed to deflate the visiting sides players after having held on for so long and with moments remaining, the home side added the winner, leaving the majority of the watching supporters in raptures at the turn of events in the final five minutes of the match.
It leaves New Orleans stranded at the bottom of the Mid-South Division with only the one league win. The Lions on the other hand moved up the table and now sit proudly with 10 points in the division and only four points from top spot.
Next week sees Texas Dutch Lions away to Laredo Heat on Wednesday evening. New Orleans welcome West Texas Sockers to the Pan American Stadium on Thursday evening.
Things have been changing on a match by match basis in this division and with plenty of games remaining, it’s sure going to get exciting in the coming weeks.
You can follow Marc on Twitter @soccer_texas or @notjustscottishfitba
