ISLE OF WIGHT, UK – Fresh from a four point weekend, the Wightlink Raiders are a happy bunch this week. After a surprise 8-3 victory over Chelmsford and a 5-4 win in Milton Keynes, the Raiders had even more reasons to smile when they learnt that title rivals Invicta Dynamos had lost in Romford.
Significantly this finally handed the Raiders control of their own destiny, after months of looking over their shoulder at a hard chasing Dynamos side possessing crucial games in hand and a theoretical point’s advantage. The two sides meet this Saturday with Wightlink knowing that a win would see them mathematically top regardless of whether the Dynamos can win their extra games.
“Invicta is a team I have always been excited to play against” admitted high scoring Wightlink winger Robbie Brown. “I am close friends with their net minder Andrew Dickson, and we are always chatting about how our respective teams are doing”
“Before I came to the island all I had heard about was how they (Dynamos) have won everything every year and how well they do week in and week out, but we are here to try and break that success”
“I hate losing games more than anything and this is going to be our biggest weekend of the season so far, and to say I’m pumped for the game already is an understatement. I know that we have the ability to do the job and I’m more than sure the rest of a guys are feeling the same”
Brown on form (Nikki Craft)
Brown’s confidence is not unfounded. The Raiders sit top of the league in stark contrast to last season where they finished in sixth position, albeit with a good run in the play-offs. Along with Brown, Canadian Jason Gorrie has been prolific this season and both players feature in the league’s top ten scorers’ chart. Richard Facey and Nathan Taylor are also regular scorers for the side, as is big blue liner Dominic Hopkins who’s shot from the point is a key asset to the Raiders power play unit.
With an eleven game unbeaten run under their belts and only one defeat since mid October, confidence is understandably high within the Raiders camp and Brown believes that the close knit feel of island life has played a part in creating a spirit in the locker room.
“The team are playing so well together at the moment for a few reasons” explained the twenty year old. “The team chemistry is great and there isn’t a guy on the team I could say a bad word about. Everybody gets on like they have known each other for years and that is a real plus point for a first place team to have”
“The other main reason is that we have a real chance at the league title this season and I think everyone is going that extra mile because they are starting to realise it can be done if we keep working hard and playing the way we are”
This season was a calculated risk for Brown on a personal level. Despite picking up an Elite league play-off winners medal with the Giants last season, the youngster chose to drop two leagues and move over five hundred miles south over land and sea to sign for the Raiders.
Wightlink player-coach Jeremy Cornish made Brown one of his first signings of the summer, undoubtedly aware of the prolific season the winger had in his year prior to Belfast, when he scored 27 goals and made 18 assists in a title winning campaign with the Dumfries based Solway Sharks in 2008/09.
Chemistry working (Nikki Craft)
“Playing at the Odyssey Arena for Belfast was a great experience” said Brown. “The only issue was a lack of ice time and I felt that I would be better off with a move away to get some more game time, and then hopefully work my way up again”
The opportunity to move towards a return to the Elite league came sooner than expected for Brown as he was called up to Basingstoke Bison of the English Premier league on a two way contract, along with fellow Raider Nathan Taylor. Under the terms of the deal, both players are eligible to play for the Bison when the Raiders are not in action, and whilst Taylor’s debut was cruelly taken away from him by an injury suffered in Bristol, Brown has already made an impact in his three appearances by grabbing a goal against the Bison’s rivals Bracknell Bees and notching a couple of assists.
“I really appreciated getting an opportunity at Basingstoke” admitted Brown. “It was obviously quite a bit quicker than the ENL and it felt good to get on the score sheet. The two way deal is an arrangement that suits all parties and I hope to get another chance again soon”
The English National League South Division 1 may not be as quick as the EPL or as glamorous as the Elite league but Brown has been impressed with the new challenge and all of the quirks and variety on offer.
Scott in the house (Tim Bowers)
“It has been great to play in front of the Raiders fans and to be honest I wasn’t sure what to expect” explained Brown. “I grew up playing hockey in east Belfast at the Dundonald Ice Bowl, so I have loved playing in places like Streatham as it really reminds me of home”
“The atmosphere at places like Romford and Invicta with the crowd really on top of you is good as well. That is what can give you an extra boost whilst on the ice and it makes the games more intense and interesting”
Back in the sedate Isle of Wight, Brown has had to get used to a slower pace of life in the Victorian seaside town of Ryde, where the rink is situated. In the summer the harbour is bustling as thousands of tourists flock to the long sandy beaches and quaint lanes of antique shops. Ryde by winter is perhaps less appealing as is common with most British coastal towns, but one house in town certainly keep the energy levels buzzing beneath the cloudy skies.
“Like a few team’s we have a hockey house, in which the non local players live” laughed Brown. “I share with ‘Sergeant’ Dan Scott, ‘Northerner’ Nathan Taylor, Jason ‘Swag-Juice’ Gorrie, Josh ‘The Shocker’ Florey and Richie ‘Sparkles’ Bentham. We all get on great and the guys are all beauties”
“People often say that the island is a bit dull at times during the winter months, but I can assure you that it is anything but living with these guys”
With two trophies in two years, Brown has a good chance of making it three in a row if his team can finish the season as strongly as they have started it.
Wightlink have triumphed at this level before, however if they can deliver a trophy this season, there will be fans and players alike dancing on the pier come April.
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.