Lucky Mkosana too much for Dayton Dutch Lions FC scoring three goals
Harrisburg, July 24 – The Dayton Dutch Lions FC had an off day in Harrisburg in an important game in the hunt for the playoffs against the City Islanders, losing 5-1. Dayton’s only goal was scored by Tjeerd Westdijk when he scored his 6th of the season.
Harrisburg came out a lot more aggressive putting pressure on the Lions defense forcing them to play the long ball. In the 8th minute Harrisburg forward Lucky Mkosana got in front of a Dutch Lions defender and left Williams without a chance scoring 1-0. The Lions tried to get back in the game looking a lot for Garner on the right. Tjeerd Westdijk scored the equalizer in the 20th minute when a free kick was served into the box by Harada and Westdijk beat the goalie to the ball with a great touch into goal. Williams came up big after that with 2 good saves from shots from outside the box. Mkosana was unlucky when he hit the left post almost making it 2-1. The Dutch Lions had the chance to score the 1-2 just before the half time when Madigan had a good serve in from the left with Klaasse getting an open chance but Nick Noble saved it only to see the ball go to the feet of Joel DeLass who’s rocket in the box was again saved by Noble. Instead of 1-2 it got 2-1 with a shot from 20 yards out by Basso in the low right corner.
In the first minute of the 2nd half the Lions made it difficult for themselves giving up the ball at their own box being picked up by Bahner who put it back to Mkosana who scored his 2nd giving Harrisburg a comfortable 3-1 lead. Instead of getting back into the game Harrisburg stayed in control stretching out the Lions defense. In the 60th minute Langley crossed the ball in with Mkosana coming in front of his defender heading the ball in 4-1. It wasn’t until the 72nd minute until Dayton got it’s first chance in the 2nd half when Garner just missed the goal by inches. It was Harrisburg that struck again in the 86th minute with McLaughlin scoring 5-1 and handing the Lions the biggest loss of the season.
Dayton has to pick up quickly as they face last place team Antigua on Friday already. The Lions need a win to stay in a playoff position and breaking their six game winless streak.
Line up: Wiliams, Lord, Presciado, Granger, Smith (Khutsidze), DeLass, Harada (Griffin), Westdijk (Hertsenberg), Garner, Klaasse (Schwartzendruber), Madigan (Kissinger)