Match Report - ASUM - 21 Aug 2022

The Dragons and Asum lined up against each other having both had a good start to pre season. The game was an open affair from the off, with both defences having to sustain pressure from their opposing attacks.

It was the Dragons who had the upper hand in the opening 20, but the front four, despite working well together to create goal scoring opportunities, were all guilty of not taking their chances.

Asum started to grow into the game utilising the long ball of Callum Marshall, and their consistent pressing started to cause the Dragons defence some issues. They managed to take their three big opportunities to head into the break with a 3-0 lead.

Despite this the Dragons were confident they could come back and started the second half brightly. The threat of Alex Lane was nullified from some smart defending and the Dragons pulled their first goal back through Brett Danby, who swept into the far corner from the edge of the box following a composed cut back from Ryan Beasley.

Brian Stokes continued to look solid in goal, showing his aerial command from set pieces. The Dragons made several changes throughout the second half, and it was a substitute who took their second goal. Darren Wilsdon cleaned up at the back, squared to Kris Bowler who fired the ball into midfield. The ball was then played down the right wing where Josh Barnett’s fine performance was rewarded with a classy assist, laying the ball of to Sam Craze with a back heel, who curled a superlative effort in off the post with his left peg.

Josh was electric all game, winning countless balls high up the pitch and linking up well with the players around him for which he gets the Man of the March award. Max Danby’s second half performance was also worthy of a mention.

Unfortunate defeat but a lot of positives to take into next week!