Streatham Down Jets in Pre-Season double header

Streatham got ready to defend their NIHL 1 South league title with a pair of wins over the slough Jets this past weekend. Winning both games home and away 4-3. However, the Sunday game on the High Road saw a short benched RedHawks push the game to overtime.

Saturday Streatham pulled into a 2-goal lead early on at the Hangar. With Jared Lane netting 2 minutes in before coach Ben Paynter lead the way with a 2nd goal on the breakaway at 6 minutes.

It would take the jets the rest of the period to respond with Kyle Bradburn answering for the hosts on 17 minutes making it 1-1. 

The second period would see Streatham extend the lead early on as George Norcliffe would net 54 seconds into the period to make it 3-1, then Jared Lane would make it 4-1 at 33 minutes.

At 33 minutes into the game however Streatham would be forced into a change of netminder as Danny Milton suffered and injury. Dylan Phillips step in and weather the Jets offensive till the 50th minute when Jacob Minter would find the net. Followed by Lewis English 6 minutes later to make it 4-3. Streatham would hold on however to claim the win The following evening on the High Road Streatham would come away winners in over time. They would have to do it the hard way though. Handing a surprise return to Damien King, who last played for Streatham, or anyone since 2022.

The opening period ended 0-0. with Matt Smital in the Jets net, and King in net for Streatham facing plenty of shots, but stopping them all. 

The Jets would break the deadlock in the second though. Connor Redmond striking at 28 minutes to put the Jets up 1-0. Then 5 minutes later captain Ryan Watt would equalize for Streatham. Ending the period with the score tied 1-1. In the third Slough would strike early, at 42 minutes, Lewis English would net one past King, before on 47 minutes Ollie Hemmings-Maher would score to make it 3-1 Streatham would throw everything at Matt Smital, in the jets net looking to get on level terms.

Being rewarded at 56 minutes as JJ Pitchley would pull the hosts within 1 goal. Before former Jet Roman Cathcart would tie the game at 57 minutes to send the game to overtime.

In overtime the jets would see a few chances fly wide of Kings net before 2 minutes in Aidan Doughty would redirect Jared Lanes shot past Smital to seal the win for the RedHawks.

Post-game despite the teams struggles. Coach Paynter was happy overall with his team’s pre-season showing.

“It was one of those games, we worked hard both nights. I think we performed well. There are a few things I think we can improve on but that what pre-season game are for. And it was good to get 2 wins over a team who we’re going to be battling for championships. So, I was pleased with how we dug deep to pull it back and get a win. Everyone’s getting there with the systems, two new guys tonight Roman Cathcart ties the game for us and then Aidan Doughty gets the winner in OT. These guys are all here because they can play and play the way we want to. Hard, physical being direct, so the new faces are fitting in well.”

Paynter also had praise for youngster Phillips on stepping up, and Damien King return. 

“It was a frantic time for me on the phone after the game last night into this morning, trying to find someone available. Milton being out is a big loss for us, but Dylan did a great job last night in net, made some big saves. But Damo helped us out, and I wanted to see where Damien was as he hasn’t played for 4 years, and he came out had a massive game and put in a great performance.”

Streatham will now get the league season and defence of their league title under way Saturday as they face the Cardiff Fire, facing off 

at 17:30pm on the high road.