Billingham Stars v Deeside Dragons - Match Highlights

Here are the Match Highlights for the 2023/24 Season Opener for the Deeside Dragons.

First Period: Dragons Face Injuries and Absences but Show Resilience

It took the Billingham Stars just 3 minutes and 33 seconds to break the deadlock against a notably depleted Deeside Dragons in the season opener for 2023/24. The Dragons were without key forwards Petr Valusiak, James Shaw, and Andy McKinney, making the challenge all the more daunting. Their defensive line-up was also compromised, missing players like Billy Perks, Olie Howells, Ryan Broster-Jones, Lewis Morgan, and Chris Jones.

Michael Elder for the Billingham Stars scored the opening goal at 3:33, assisted skilfully by Chris Sykes (#15) and Rolands Gritans (#26). Dragons' Ross Kennedy (#55) found himself in the penalty box at 5:43 for hooking, but Billingham's Lewis Hall (#77) was quick to join him, earning a penalty for elbowing.

While Billingham accumulated four more penalties in the first period, the Dragons capitalised on the power plays. At 09:17, Ross Kennedy netted the Dragons' inaugural goal for the season. The first period closed with a scoreline of Billingham 2, Deeside Dragons 1. In terms of shots on goal, Billingham had 14 while the Dragons managed 10.

Second Period: A Rough Stretch for Deeside Dragons

The second period proved to be calamitous for the Deeside Dragons. Early on, young forward Charlie Spridgeon (#4) suffered a suspected—and later confirmed—broken humerus from a hit against the boards. No penalty was called as it was deemed a fair hit.

The injury seemed to demoralise the Dragons further, who went on to concede an additional five unanswered goals. Joseph Wells and Michael Elder each bagged a brace, while Chris Sykes added another for Billingham.

Third Period: Dragons Recompose and Show Defensive Resilience

Entering the final period with just 12 players, the Deeside Dragons managed to recompose themselves. Brodie Jesson scored the team's second goal of the night, making it 7-2. Netminder Matt Croyle was the standout player for the Dragons in the third period, stopping all 17 shots that came his way. Alongside him, Marc Lovell (#91) made several key blocks and a line clearance, which helped keep the scoreline from escalating further.

End-of-Game Stats:

Shots on Goal: Billingham 48 – Deeside Dragons 31

Penalty Minutes: Billingham 15 – Deeside Dragons 10

A Tough Sunday Night for Deeside Dragons in Return Leg Against Billingham Stars

A sense of déjà vu hovered in the air as the Aspray Chester Deeside Dragons faced off against the Billingham Stars in a Sunday evening return fixture at the Den. A challenging match concluded with an 8-3 loss for the Dragons, further exacerbated by the loss of club captain James Parsons to injury.

First Period: Early Momentum for Billingham, Glimmer of Hope for Dragons

Billingham Stars seized early control of the match with goals coming from Chris Sykes, Shaun Galloway, and James Moss. However, the Dragons managed to pull one back, courtesy of club captain James Parsons. The first period concluded with a 3-1 advantage for the Stars, setting a challenging tone for the Dragons.

Second Period: A Tale of Resilience and Setback

Emerging from a spirited dressing room talk, the Dragons displayed renewed vigour in the second period. Ross Kennedy (#55) embodied this spirit, netting two crucial goals. However, the period took a grim turn as James Parsons sustained an injury that led to Billingham's #32 Elder receiving a game ejection.

Third Period: Billingham Capitalises, Guest Star Shines

The final period was particularly tough for the Dragons, as they conceded four unanswered goals from Billingham players Lewis Hall, James Moss, Chris Sykes, and Iain Brown. Despite the setback, Coach Clancy managed to inject some positivity by introducing GB Women's Captain Jodie Alderson-Smith. She made an instant impact on her Aspray Chester Deeside Dragons debut, garnering an assist and claiming the MVP award.

Future Outlook: Injuries Pile Up, Daunting Weekend Ahead

Already reeling from a slew of injuries, the Dragons now add two more names—Charlie Spridgen and James Parsons—to their injury list. With Spridgen looking doubtful for the rest of the season and Parsons' recovery time yet to be determined, the Dragons face a formidable challenge. The team is bracing for a difficult weekend, starting with an away game in Hull on Saturday, 23rd, followed by a home match against the Whitley Warriors at Aura Ice Arena on Sunday, 24th.

Concluding Remarks: Testing Times, Resilience Needed

In summary, the match was a stern test of the Dragons' resolve, as they grapple with injuries and tough opponents. But even in the face of adversity, the introduction of Jodie Alderson-Smith offered a glimmer of hope. As they look towards a challenging weekend, one thing is clear—the Dragons' resilience will be their most valuable asset.

The Aspray Chester Deeside Dragons face Whitley Warriors on Sunday 24^th September at the “Den” Aura Ice Arena Deeside Leisure Centre