DAYTON, Ohio – The Dayton Dutch Lions FC did not manage to pick up their first win as they hosted their first home game of the season at Careflight Stadium in Springboro on a cold and rainy night, facing the Rochester Rhinos.
The first half was pretty even with both teams not keeping a lot of players behind the ball. DDL FC tried to play their typical game by building up from the back but Rochester forced them to play the long ball, constantly preventing the team from getting into their game. In addition, Bartels was pretty isolated up front, making it hard to get to the last third of the field. Both teams did not create any real chances other than a few shots from 20-25 yards out, leaving the score 0-0 at halftime.
The game stayed pretty isolated with both teams not giving away anything. For the second game in a row the DDL FC gave away a goal due to a mistake in the back between goalie Matt Williams and Gregory Preciado. Jimmy Banks picked up the ball and all he had to do was shoot in the empty goal making it the game winner.
After the goal the Lions started putting more pressure on the Rhinos and the team drew very close to the equalizer when Gibson Bardsley dribbled on the left side in the penalty box. His shot was half blocked and the ball went just wide of the goal. Akeem Priestley had a rocket from 25 yards out that Rhinos’ goalie Kristian Nicht saved nicely. DDL FC started playing with five guys on top passing balls long, resulting in probably the best chance and most spectacular one when Gibson Bardsley had a bicycle kick from eight yards out, just going over the cross bar. It left the Lions with a frustrated feeling, still not scoring a first goal of the season and giving away three valuable points where they should have at least won one.
Dutch Lions Coach Ivar van Dinteren commented on the loss: “We had lots of opportunities to score today and it was a typical 0-0 game but due to our mistake the luckiest team won tonight.”
Dayton will host their next home game at the Miami Valley South Stadium in Bellbrook against the Richmond Kickers (1-2-1) on Saturday, May 5 at 7.30 .