Dandela lost 0-2 to Queen's University in the Championship regular season on Saturday. The result leaves the hosts in eighth place with eleven points from nine games. Queen's University move into fourth with sixteen points, closing the gap on the leaders. The match finished at the stadium in front of a modest crowd.
And here's the thing about this game — it wasn't decided by goals in the opening half. Dandela saw a player sent off and had to weather the storm for most of the second period. To be fair, they camped in the final third for long spells but couldn't find a way through. Queen's University held their nerve and took what they needed when it mattered.
The statistics tell a flat story. Dandela made ninety-nine attacks to Queen's University's one hundred and one, with both sides earning five corners. Three yellow cards for the hosts against none for the visitors. By then the red card had already shifted the balance, and everything after was damage limitation.
This result ends a run of two wins and five draws for Dandela. They beat Armagh City 2-0 last time out but now face a tougher stretch. Queen's University have lost three of nine but remain within touching distance of the top four. There is no value left at that number for Dandela if they don't respond.
The hosts have played eight matches now and sit seven points off a European place. Queen's University have two games in hand and could close further. The Championship is a marathon and this was just one step in a long race. What happened on Saturday will be remembered for the red card, not the scoreline.
