Streatham put out fire in opening league fixture

Streatham kicked off the 24/25 NIHL 1 South season with an emphatic win over the Cardiff Fire on the High Road this past Saturday, coming away 12-1 winners. 

It took just 31 seconds for the RedHawks to get on the board with Tomasz Skokan applying the finish to put Streatham up 1-0. Fire netminder Gemma Davies would hold the RedHawks at  bay for the next 6 minutes before Danny Ingoldsby would net his first of the season.

Fire would then answer back 3 minutes later as Carter Lloyd would net from close range. Streatham would answer back 2 minutes later with 2 goals in 10 seconds. As Ryan Watt and JJ Pitchley scored to close out the period Streatham 4-1 Cardiff. Streatham would take 4 minutes to net their 5th of the game, in the second. Brendan Baird opening his account for the season.

Six minutes later fellow summer arrival Harvey Stead would net to make it 6-1. Luke Brittle would be the next to open his tally for the season on 31 minutes. Before Ethan Lane made it 8-1 at 32 minutes. Ryan Watt would round out the scoring in the 2nd at 34 minutes. The period ending Streatham 9-1 Cardiff Davies and the Fire defence would stop everything thrown at them in the 3rd for most of the period. But with 5 minutes remaining Aidan Doughty would score first, before Brittle and Baird would follow in quick succession to see the final score run up to Streatham 12-1 Cardiff.

Coach Paynter was pleased with the workout the game had given his team.

“ That game gave us a chance to stretch our Legs, feel the puck for an extended period of play. We had an opportunity to try somethings out. We want close games, and it wasn’t the most competitive game tonight. But we made the most of it and made sure we were doing the right things and got through it. It’s easy with these games to get into bad habits, but we’re looking forward to tomorrow with Invicta. They’re an improved team, its hard place to play and so should be a good game tomorrow.”

As coach Paynter predicted the following night in Invicta it was a good competitive game. with Streatham coming away 7-5 winners in an encounter that the saw host Dynamos twice claw back from being 3-1 down to tie things 3-3. However, in the 2nd and 3rd Streatham would open up a lead to come away 7-5 winners.

Dan Scott, Aaron Connolly, Villius Krakauskas got single tallies while Mads Thune netted twice for the Dynamos. Danny Ingoldsby would net a brace, while coach Paynter and captain Ryan Watt would each ad one, Luke brittle would seal his hattrick with a penalty shot goal.

The Redhawks are off on the road facing Cardiff Fire on 5th October, before welcoming Romford to the High Road on 19th October.