SUNDAY 19TH JANUARY 2025
Streatham fall in Semi Finals
Match Report by Chris Beal
Streatham’s hopes of a grand slam season ended Sunday night, as the Chelmsford Chieftains knocked the defending cup champions out of the competition in the semi-finals.
Going into the game Streatham looked favourites to progress, having taken a 6-1 win the night before in Chelmsford. Damon Porter, Ethan Lane, Aidan Doughty, Ben Paynter and Ziggy Beesley twice, all netting for the RedHawks. While Grant Bartlett would net one for the chieftains.
In the grand scheme of the aggregate that lone goal would end up being a difference maker.
The opening period would see both teams’ defences holding the offenses at bay. With both sides coming close. Jordan Lawday in the Chieftains net and Jordan Lawday would deny anything that got through the screens. The Chieftains would have one of the best chances as a loose puck in front was bundled wide after a save by shepherd.
In the second Streatham would find themselves gifted two great chances to get on the board. Ziggy Beesley almost getting in on a near break away. And a chance ringing off the post. But later in the period the RedHawks would find themselves getting into penalty trouble. The game had developed a chippy under current as most games between the 2 sides tend to. And the Chieftains were able to capitalize on this as part of their game plan drawing penalties as much as they could.
At 3150 on the clock the Chieftains would capitalize, to get on the board and chip away at the RedHawks lead. Halden Barnes Garner assisted by Grant Bartlett making it 6-2 on aggregate.
3 minutes later at 3423 The Bartlett Brothers would combine to make it 2-0 Chieftains and halve the lead to 6-3 on aggregate. Ending the period well in control of the play, and choking off Streatham’s offence from making inroads on the net of Lawday.
Streatham would hold the 3-goal lead for the first 10 minutes of the 3rd. But at 5028 the game was turned in the Chieftain’s favour as JJ Pitchley was ejected from the game for obscene gestures following an interference call. While Streatham would kill the penalty, the powerplay put the momentum in the Chieftains favour and they would strike at 5446 to make it 3-0 on the night and 6-4 on aggregate.
2 minutes later at 5613 Roman Cathcart would clear a puck over the glass in the Streatham defensive zone and be assessed a delay of game penalty. 17 seconds later at 5630 Mike Power would strike for the Chieftains to make it 4-0 on the night and 6-5 on aggregate.
With 4 minutes left, Streatham just needed to hang on. But the 4 unanswered goals had the momentum firmly in the Chieftains favour. With one-minute remaining Chieftain’s coach Lewis Clifford pulled Lawday for the extra attacker. A move that paid off as 5946 as Cameron Bartlett would score the equalizer on aggregate to send the game to OT
Despite chances for George Norcliffe and Ziggy Beesley in OT, lightning would not strike twice in 2 weeks as Grant Bartlett would score the winner in OT for the visitors at 6154. Booking the Chieftain’s a date with the Solent Devils in the final
Post-game, coach Ben Paynter was understandably disappointed. But knew what needs to be done going forward.
“We played a quality game on Saturday and put our self in a great position, was a shame that we threw it away. We must learn from this and learn to manage these big moments."
Up next for Streatham its back to league action with a trip up to Romford on Saturday 25th. Before welcoming the Chieftains back to the High Road once more. This time with league points on the line. Facing off Sunday at 18:45pm.