6-0 Rout in KY

 

Louisville, KY  June 27, 2018 – The Dayton Dutch Lions FC (6-2-2) win 6-0 versus host Derby City Rovers (0-9-1) and keep their road record unbeaten for the season.  Coming off an upset loss last weekend, this had the potential to be a tricky match for the Lions. It was our third outing with Derby City and Head Coach Dan Griest was bringing several players into the roster for the first time. With a laser-like focus, the Lions were intent from the opening whistle to stamp their style of play into the match.   An outstanding team effort on a very hot and humid evening is what Dayton provided for the full 90 minutes.  JJ Williams (Montgomery, AL/Kentucky), Tate Robertson (Springfield, OH/Bowling Green) and Jackson Dietrich (Las Vegas, NV/Wright State) led the scoring onslaught.

The Lions had already beaten Derby twice at home and were instructed to be on the attacking foot at the start of the match. Coach Griest said, "I wanted us to be in full attack mode from the onset.  We were coming off our worst performance of the year and we needed to make sure that we did not allow Derby City to get into a rhythm in the first half.  It was our plan to provide high pressure and to keep the play in our end of the pitch.  The field was a bit small and I did not want any fluke actions to lead to a silly goal."

"I could not have asked for a better response from the boys.  They were working so hard for each other, excellent movement and spacing all over the field, plenty of instruction and pushing the pace the entire night.  We controlled the match from beginning to end.  Every Lion who got to play tonight gave an excellent, focused effort.  The scoreline was kind for the way we played tonight because it could have been a lot worse."

The attempts on goal came quickly and often.  In the 4th minute, Williams was played into space by Robertson, but his shot was just over the crossbar.  In the next couple minutes, Robertson and Dietrich both had shots on goal that were saved by the Rovers keeper, but earned corners for the Lions.  The visitors continued to pepper the Derby goal as Williams, Robertson and Jalim Bayo (Columbus, OH/Wright State) had shots on goal that required saves from Derby.

In the 16th minute, Dayton finally broke the deadlock as Eric Hutton (Chillicothe, OH/Wright State) and Dietrich played a one-two combination to get through the midfield.  Dietrich moved forward and played Williams into the penalty area.  Williams hit a low shot to the near post that the Derby keeper was able to kick save.  The rebound popped towards the middle of the goal where Robertson was on a full sprint and was able to pass the ball into the goal for a 1-0 lead.

Over the next five minutes, the Lions were moving forward often and with ease. Derby City was doing all they could, but could not slow the attack.  Bayo, Williams and Dietrich all had shots saved and the Lions were earning a corner kick every five minutes.  At the 22nd minute, Dietrich took the 5th corner of the match and played it perfectly into the goalie box.  Williams rose above everyone and headed the ball powerfully into the goal.  Lions led 2-0 and were playing very well.

Dayton were in total control and had three more shots on goal saved before a third goal was in the back of the net. In what was arguably the best shot of the year, Bayo put the Lions up 3-0.  The initial passing was down the left flank where Williams was able to find Dietrich about 25 yards out.  Dietrich's first touch was excellent as he opened up and laid a perfect ball back to Bayo who was coming on a diagonal run.  The pass just hopped up about six inches off the ground as Bayo struck a first time volley.  The ball was just over the top of the keeper and curving inside the far post.  A wonderful strike.

Derby City could do very little to slow the Lions and more shots on goal, corner kicks and near goals continued. Dietrich rang the post from long range, Bayo just missed from the right and left back Abdul Kooistra (Madison, WI/Northern Kentucky) was on target from an excellent overlapping run far post.

Keeper Corey Whisenhunt (Kettering, OH/Dynamo) was seeing his first action of the season, but did not get his first shot until the 39th minute and it was well wide.  He looked comfortable in the back providing direction to his back four, but with little to do in the first half.

The Lions in stoppage time of the first half got goal number four.  Robertson was able to corral a clearance at midfield.  He turned, but was immediately challenged very hard.  He barely kept himself upright, but was able to take off on the dribble.  As the referee yelled, "Play On" Robertson was full speed on goal.  Derby's centerback attempted a sliding tackle that Robertson eluded, but was kicked painfully in the leg.  As he was starting to fall, he played a through ball to Williams who was crossing into the penalty area.  Williams took a touch that set the ball on his left where he hit a rocket shot over the keeper and into the roof of the goal.  Lions took a 4-0 lead into the half.

With the hot and humid weather, Coach Griest was able to empty his bench over the first 20 minutes of the second half.

"Our effort was excellent in the first half.  But we did not execute as well as we should have," shared Coach Griest. "We allowed numerous chances to be wasted.  Our defense played very well on the smaller pitch and did not allow a shot on goal the entire first half."

"Knowing that we have a weekend match, I wanted to utilize all six of my substitutions as early as possible.  Fresh legs for the second half and for Saturday were important.  I was happy to get Ben Leba-Kamanya (Ghana/Dayton) and Whisenhunt their first minutes of the year.  At this point of the season, it is vital to utilize the depth of our roster.  Player management is crucial for our final four matches of the season."

With many new players in place for the Lions, little changed in their attack on the Rovers goal.  Less than 10 minutes in, Dayton got a fifth goal.  Jacob Moore (Ashland, MO/Oakland), Robertson and Antoine Ravera (Spain/Urbana) combined for a splendid goal.  Moore was played down the left flank.  As he crossed midfield, he played square into Robertson who immediatley switched the play down the right flank.  Ravera pushed hard towards the endline and then pulled the ball back.  His 40 yard cross found Moore in the box unmarked.  Moore settled the ball and shot a bullet into the back of the net.

Dayton continued to control the match and the majority of possession.  In the 73rd minute, the Lions were applying pressure that forced the Derby defender into an ill-advised back pass that missed its target. Emiel Wendt (Netherlands/v.v. Noordwijk) was able to pounce on the errant pass and was 1-on-1 on goal.  He calmly slotted the ball past the keeper for a 6-0 lead for the Lions.

The Rovers did get a good chance to get on the scoreboard in the 79th minute as they played a long ball into the box. As Whisenhunt went out to win the ball, he was judged to have gone through the player and a penalty kick was awarded.  The Derby City kicker's shot went wide left and the shutout was preserved.

The final ten minutes belonged to the Lions and they peppered the Rovers goal with several more shots.  Lea-Kamanya hit the crossbar and Ravera had two chances cleared off the line.

The final whistle brought an end to a quality match and kept the Lions in control of the division title race.  They currently sit in first place with a three point lead.

JJ Williams was selected Man of the Match for his continous offensive work, two goals and assist.  He was a constant threat on set pieces and the run of play.

Dayton will be home this Saturday, June 30th when they play host to the Michigan Bucks.  Kickoff is 7:00pm. Tickets are $10 adults and $6 youth, military and veterans at the gate (5 and under free).  Specially priced discounted tickets are available for groups of 12 or more by calling the ticket office at 937 530 2123.

To keep up with all the latest news on the Lions, follow us on Facebook @DaytonDutchLionsFC and on Twitter @DaytonDutchLion.

FULL MATCH STATS – Dayton vs Derby 6.27.18