SUNDAY 8TH FEBRUARY 2025

Streatham Tame Wildcats

Match Report by Chris Beal

The Streatham RedHawks bounced back from a disappointing defeat on home ice the weekend before with a 7-1 win over the visiting Swindon Wildcats 2 on Saturday.

Coach Paynter said in his post-game interview he was looking for a response from the team following the previous weekends 3rd period collapse against the Slough Jets and he got exactly that. 

Streatham would open the scoring at 4:35 on the clock. Brendan Baird’s shot from the blue line finding its way by Swindon netminder Brett Massey. Though later this would be corrected to have been scored by JJ Pitchley on a deflection, putting the hosts up 1-0. 

Streatham would employ their tried and tested tactic of closing off an opponent’s offensive abilities and blocking the lanes in the neutral zone. 

This would lead to a 2nd Streatham goal at 9:01, as Aiden Doughty made it 2-0 Streatham, with an assist going to Luke Brittle. 

A minute later at 10:13, Ryan Watt would score possibly the goal of the night. As he intercepted the puck in the neutral zone and skated it through the two Swindon defenders in close attention before pocketing it in the net around Massey at 1013. Making it 3-0 Streatham heading into the break. 

It would take Streatham just 15 seconds to get goal number 4 at the start of the 2nd period. Goal tender Massey clearing a puck put it straight on to the stick of a waiting Josh Ealey Newman who faced with an open net fired the puck home to make it 4-0.

Streatham would continue to push for a 5th, but Massey and the Wildcats would hang on. And then going against the flow of offensive pressure in the game would break Milton’s shut out at 22 minutes. Luca Kirk-Browne setting up Oskar Sagan to make it 4-1.

Streatham would answer back around 12 minutes later, Danny Ingoldsby scoring at 34:36. Harvey Stead assisting on the goal, along with Danny Milton getting the rare goalies assist on the goal, that saw the 2nd period end Streatham 5-1 Swindon.

Streatham would strike early again in the 3rd period. At 41 minutes Harvey Stead would open the scoring in the 3rd to add a 6th for the hosts. 

Streatham 7th and final goal would be a confusing one. At 49 minutes Danny Ingoldsby would create a breakaway chance, but with a Wildcats Dan Bradley in close attendance Ingoldsby was forced to shift position as he released the puck at the net. Causing him to collide with Swindon netminder Massey. The goal would be given, putting Streatham ahead 7-1. But Ingoldsby would also be given a 2-minute interference penalty for impeding the netminder. 

Swindon could not make the ensuing powerplay pay for them and the game would end Streatham RedHawks 7-1 Swindon Wildcats 2.

After the game head coach Ben Paynter was happy with his sides bounce back.

“It was key we bounced back, we can’t be losing 2 games in a row. Swindon are a good team, and so we’re really pleased with how we bounced back and managed a full 60 minutes. Swindon are a young team and are only going to get better and better, they are young skilled, and Ken Forshee has them playing the right way. But we were persistent tonight we didn’t let them play, we shut down what they had. But you can see why they have caused some upsets this season. We want to win every game, and I wanted a reaction there’s no better reaction that going out getting 6 points, and I know the boys want this six point weekend.”

The following evening, the RedHawks travelled to Chelmsford to face fellow title rivals the Chieftains. It was another closely contested game between the two rivals. With Streatham jumping in to a 3-0 lead thanks to a goal from Jordan Gregory and 2 from JJ Pitchley.

Cameron Bartlett would get the Chieftains on the board, then in the second Matt Lawday would make it 3-2. Before Ryan Watt would extend the Streatham lead 4-2. A run of 4 un-answered Chelmsford goals from Cam Bartlett and Alan Lack both netting twice, would put the hosts in front 6-4.

But a late rally by Streatham would see them tie things up Danny Ingoldsby and Aiden Doughty would net the 5th and 6th for the visitors. Before JJ Pitchley would complete his hat-trick in OT to seal the game Streatham 7-6 Chelmsford. 

Up next on the High Road the RedHawks welcome the Romford Buccaneers on Sunday 16th February, pucks drops from 6:45pm.