DRAGONS ON THE CHARGE!
Wrexham clambered up to second place in the Vanarama National League with a battling win that left boss Sam Ricketts beaming.
The Dragons took the lead in the 44th minute when a brilliant strike from Luke Young flew in from 25 yards.
Daggers drew level in stoppage-time at the end of the first half in bizarre fashion when Brad Walker turned a Liam Gordon cross into his own net.
The Welsh club, though, took the lead again in the 68th minute when Luke Summerfield converted a penalty after Lamar Reynolds fouled Kevin Roberts in the box. And Ricketts was pleased to see his team come through what he felt was a difficult afternoon, despite Daggers’ lowly position.
“Dagenham made it really hard for us. We had to battle and scrap at times, but we came away with the victory,” he said. “We could have scored a few more goals, but it was never going to be a comfortable game for us. I’m delighted with our start to the season and couldn’t really ask for anymore from the players.”
In truth, Wrexham could have won by more, with Jordan Maguire-Drew and Mike Fondop among those guilty of missing good chances. Akil Wright drew a fine save from Elliot Justham early in the second half, while Rekeil Pyke was unable to get on the end of a ball across the box from Stuart Beavon midway through the second period.
In the end, the missed chances from Wrexham were inconsequential as they collected their tenth triumph of the term.
Daggers, though, looked lacklustre in attack and were unable to create any real chances of note. That did not stop boss Peter Taylor, though, from feeling there were positives for his side to take despite a fifth straight league loss.
“The quality of the opponent was good and we knew that Wrexham are a good team,” he said. “We knew they were high up in the table, but there were enough good things from us to try and nick a point, which would have been very nice.
“I have no complaints with the penalty because the Wrexham player got ahead of my player and got the first touch, so we were in trouble.
“We had an instant response to their first goal with a bit of luck, but we needed that luck because not too many things have gone our way this season.
“The performance was a bit more like it, but it was unfortunately another defeat. It’s not good enough and we’re not in a good position.” STAR MAN: Luke Young (Wrexham) ATT: 1,601 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: David Rock 7/10