SUNDAY 22ND DECEMBER 2024

Streatham Tame Wildcats

Match Report by Chris Beal

Streatham concluded 2024 on home ice with a 5-1 win over the Swindon Wildcats 2.

Sealing a full six-point weekend after securing a 5-1 win over the Wildcats 2 on Saturday night, George Norcliffe had one goal and both Roman Cathcart and Danny Ingoldsby with 2 each. 

On the high road Sunday night in the RedHawks would strike early. With just 15 seconds on the clock Danny Ingoldsby would net for the hosts to put them up 1-0. 

Despite much sustained pressure on the Swindon net, Streatham would fail to score further goals during the opening period. Ben Clarke-Leach stopping everything the Streatham offence could throw at him.

The game would be tied up at 14 minutes however, as Ben Paynter would be sent to the box for a cross checking penalty. Swindon’s Samuel Rai scoring on the man advantage to tie the game 1-1 heading into the 1st break. 

Clarke-Leach would continue to deny Streatham throughout the 2nd period, and it would take 10 mins before the RedHawks would find a way through. 

At 33 minutes Ryan Watt would score the go-ahead goal for Streatham, assisted by James Warman and JJ Pitchley. Making it 2-1 RedHawks

At 36 minutes Streatham would extend the lead, Sam Waller firing from long range to make it 3-1 RedHawks. It would stay that way heading into the 2nd intermission.

Streatham would continue to apply pressure looking for a 4th, but the combination of Swindon’s defence and Clarke-Leach in net would continue to frustrate Streatham’s efforts

Streatham would continue to pressure looking for a goal in the 3rd period but would find the Wildcats testing them using counter attacks. It would take till near the close of the game before Streatham would score again. 

At 56 minutes Ziggy Beesley would score making it 4-1 Streatham. A later slashing penalty to Ryan Watt at 58 minutes would seemingly present the Wildcats with a chance to get one more consolation effort. 

But at 59 minutes, Streatham would force a turnover, releasing Danny Ingoldsby who would score his second of the game to round out the scoring at 5-1 to Streatham.

After the game coach Paynter reflected on a hard-fought win against a team that gave the RedHawks some problems.

“Defensively they are solid, they take away scoring opportunities. But overall, I think we dominated most of that game. It just took us a little while to find the scoring touch against them. Swindon’s system is take away the house, take away the front of the net and, take away Grade A scoring chances. And I think they’re a young team that will get better year on year.”

This evening in our first home game of 2025, we welcome the Oxford City Stars, for the second time this season. Before the following weekend another blockbuster encounter with the men from Medway as we welcome the Invicta Dynamos.