Dayton Dutch Lions FC defeated by Wigan Athletics in friendly match
Tuesday, July 16, 2013. Piqua, OH … In stifling temperatures at Piqua’s Wertz Stadium, the Dayton Dutch Lions took on the winners of the 2013 FA Cup, Wigan Athletic, as part of the Latics’ first ever United States Preseason Tour. Losing the friendly match 6-1, Dayton found themselves challenged by a strong and relentless English Premiere League Team. But the game proved to be a great promotion for top level soccer in the Dayton region, with a lot of fans coming out to see both teams compete.
Right from the start, Wigan’s fierce striker Marc-Antoine Fortuné challenged the Dayton defense. In the fourteenth minute he collected a right cross deep into Dayton territory from midfielder Fraser Fyvie and muscled between Dayton defenders Gregory Preciado and Taylor Lord to break the logjam and scored the first goal with a rocket blast to the back post. Dayton had its share of opportunity in the first half but struggled to gain an edge on the mighty Wigan defense. Two-thirds into the half Lord traveled down the right side to help put something together, but a defense splitting pass intended for Lord lost its oomph in the grass and Wigan defender James Perch swooped in to collect the garbage. Dayton continued to press and managed to shake loose another opportunity but Latics keeper Lee Nicholls dominated his goal with a brilliant diving and rolling save, scooping the ball just off the feet of Dayton’s Tjeerd Westdijk, who was gunning toward the top of the box. Ever relentless with constant building from the back and strong possession, the Latics moved the ball forward. Shaun Maloney streaked up the right flank and popped the cross back to a very patient Wigan midfielder, James McCarthy, who precisely sliced the ball past Dayton goalkeeper Matt Williams for the 2nd goal of the match.
Dayton stepped back on the field after the half, determined but out-muscled by the Athletics. However, spirits were high as Brandon Swartzendruber powered in a header on a cross from Irakli Khutsidze for Dayton’s first and only score of the match. Moments later, Wigan answered with their third score when Jordi Gomez played an early ball into the box with Grant Holt on the run and the assistant referee's flag staying down. Dayton defense slowed up and Holt burst in on the goal, chipping past Dayton’s goalkeeper Williams to bring the score to 3-1.
As the friendly continued, mass substitutions were made for each team, including new keepers on both sides of the field, Wichert de Witt for Dayton and Mike Pollitt in for the Latics. Wigan on the run again finds Nouha Dicko blasting up the left flank, breaking away from Dayton defense for the one on one which Dayton goalkeeper de Witt got a hand on but couldn’t save, the ball soaring beyond him with sheer velocity. Wigan moved ahead to a 4-1 score. Dayton attempted to drive the ball into the Latics’ territory but a stolen ball sent deep into the front of the Dayton box took the Dutch Lions by surprise. Mass confusion reigned in the box and Wigan forwards Bingham and Dicko collapsed on de Witt who was outmanned for the fifth Latic goal of the match. Later in the fray, de Witt was injured and the Wigan loaner, Lee Nicholls took on a Holt PK but anticipated wrong for the sixth Latic goal, with the final score 6-1, Wigan.
Dayton Coach Patrick Bal was realistic about the game. “Everyone was looking forward to this match, knowing what it meant. But, they’re faster, they’re bigger, they’re stronger, they make faster decisions and we made too many mistakes in our passing…they’re just better. I think that sums it up.” He added, “It was a fantastic opportunity for the club, and definitely for a lot of the guys and the fans of course.”
The Dutch Lions travel for the next three games, beginning with the Charleston Battery (7-5-6) on July 19. Dayton then plays the Charlotte Eagles (8-2-8) on July 20, and faces the Harrisburg City Islanders on July 24. They return home to the Frank Zink Miami Valley Hospital Stadium on Friday, July 26th, facing the Antigua Barracudas (0-19-0)