Texas Dutch Lion super 20 side took to the Sports Culture park in Conroe on Saturday afternoon knowing that they had to pick themselves up from last Sundays 6-0 defeat by Dallas side Texas Soccer Club.
by Marc Roseblade
The game against FC Dallas kicked off with and early 2pm start which meant some lower temperatures for the players to endure and seemed miles away from last Saturdays oven like heat that baked the fans and players alike throughout the match after the later 4pm kickoff.
Lions coach Marco Pruis must have given some morale boosting pep talk to the players during the days proceeding last weeks heavy loss, as the players turned out today looking refreshed and ready to do battle with a FC Dallas side that had also just been beaten on Friday evening by Austin Aztex 3-0.
With both sides looking to bounce back from their latest defeats, the heat was on for both sets of players to take the initiative, collect all three points and lift themselves up the table and into contention for top spot.
It was the Lions that started out the blocks the quickest and only took eight minutes to take the lead through … to make the score 1-0, giving the home support plenty to cheer about in the afternoon sun.
Both teams went about their business, probing for openings, looking for opportunities to break on goal and it was again the home side that made another breakthrough, scoring on 36 minutes to give themselves a healthy 2-0 lead as they headed towards the half time whistle.
The small colourful crowd in attendance seemed happy with the result as it stood and as the referee blew his half time whistle, many sat back to relax in the 87 degree heat knowing that barring a disaster, the points would be staying with the Dutch Lions, helping them to head northwards up the current league table.
However, in soccer, you can never count your chickens before they hatch and the Lions soon found this out as FC Dallas were awarded a penalty 10 minutes into the second period which was coolly slotted home, giving the 2-1 scoreline a less than comfortable look to it for the Houston based side.
The response from the Dallas boys was superb. They looked like they had the bit between their teeth and wanted more from the game but fate was to play it’s part in this match as the referee seemed to want his time in the spotlight; handing out a few yellows, stamping his authority and only seven minutes after awarding Dallas a penalty, he pointed to the spot for a second time, this time for the home side.
Like the previously take spot kick, the Lions was perfectly hit and bulged the back of the net much to the relief of everyone associated with the home side, and with a two goal cushion once again the Lions could go about their business on the park whilst Dallas had to chase the game looking for two goals to equalize the match.
The game time was ticking and with the match edging away from them, FC Dallas went on the offensive looking for goals but this opened them up at the back and with 12 minutes remaining on the clock, Bryan Mann was fed in, went one-on-one with the keeper and slid the ball home to make the score 4-1 for the players in Orange.
No more goals were added and on the 90 minute mark, the referee sounded his whistle to end this match, giving the Lions the victory and also the all important three points.
The win sees the Dutch Lions move into second spot in Group B of the USL Super 20 Mid South League with seven points after five matches played. Only Austin Aztex sit atop them with nine points and play American Eagles Football Club Sunday June 17.
Next week see the Lions travel to North Dallas for the match against Texas Football Club in the return match from last weeks 6-0 victory for the Dallas team. That will surely be a belter of a game as the Lions look to wreak some revenge on their rivals.
Final score from Sports Culture, Conroe
Texas Dutch Lions 4
FC Dallas West Texas 1
Photos courtesy of Douglas Mann
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