Antonov hat trick downs Dynamos

Streatham came from behind twice to defeat rivals Invicta Dynamos 7-4 in an end to end game in Kent.

On a windy Autumn evening, the Gillingham Ice Bowl provided a shelter for fans of both teams, who had gathered to watch a top of the table clash between two old foes.

A clash spiced up on the morning of the game by the announcement of the signing of defenceman Billy Phillips by the Dynamos, a sign that the hosts were keen to try and end Streatham's dominance of recent clashes.

With five minutes gone, things looked rosy for Invicta as Mason Webster had the home fans on their feet as he slotted past Tom Annetts to give the Mo's the lead. Streatham hit back almost immediately through Vanya Antonov as he converted a pass from Ziggy Beesley.

The Dynamos were to go in a goal up however at the end of the first period as Brandon Webster converted a rebound from a Phillips point shot.

The second period saw the teams' trade goals early on as Streatham equalised through Antonov again, only for Anthony Leone to give the Mo's the lead again. Unanswered goals from Danny Ingoldsby and Ben Ealey-Newman gave Streatham the lead for the first time and put the visitors one goal ahead at the end of the second period.

The Dynamos had twenty minutes to get back into the game, backed by their fans, but it was the travelling support in the corner of the rink who were back on their feet first. Antonov completed his hat trick with 13 minutes to go, before Milique Martelly made it 7-3 from a Connor Smith pass seven minutes later. 

Invicta got the last goal of the night as Stan Lascek fired home, but it was too little too late and Streatham extended their lead at the top of the league.