LONDON, UK – The New Year brought good news for some, bad for others and downright misery for a couple of teams in the English National league. For the rest it was business as usual as league action began after the festive break.
One team not involved in any action at the weekend or indeed for the rest of the season will be the Oxford City Stars after they sensationally withdrew from the league on New Year’s Day.
First Redskin hits Brixton (Iva Dlabkova)
Citing a lack of players as the primary motive for withdrawal, the Stars appeared to be the victim of player power as eight members of the squad apparently quit the team in protest at the treatment of recently disposed Head Coach Ken Forshee.
Many Stars fans were left baffled at the decision by directors Elaine Sutcliffe and John Harrison, and speculated online as to why other players could not have been signed and the season finished.
One person particularly devastated was team captain Darren Elliott.
“I was gutted when we pulled out because I’ve played there for 21 years” admitted the man known as ‘Mr Oxford’ in hockey circles in an interview with the Oxford Mail.
“The directors had their reasons, but I think when the coach got released and the other players decided to follow, there were not enough players to carry on and they had no alternative but to fold the team”
“When you have had results like we have, then you get an inkling that something is going to happen. But I was not aware they were going to fold.”
Sympathy came from far and wide as coaching staff across the league looked into how the expunged results against Oxford would affect their league standings and more importantly what revenue would be lost as a result of cancelled games against the City Stars.
The good news for the Oxford players at least was the fact that their services were very much in demand. Within days a number of former players had found homes with rival clubs including Elliott himself who quickly became ‘Mr Chelmsford’ thanks to some quick-fire transfer action by Chieftains coach Gary Clarke, who reportedly beat off competition from two other clubs for Elliott’s signature.
“Darren’s signing came about through availability. I’m disappointed for him because he was Oxford through and through. He was their captain and top points’ scorer for many years” said Clarke in an interview with This is Essex.
Mr Oxford signs off
Milton Keynes Thunder appeared to bear no grudge towards defenseman Paul Gore who had left the club for Oxford in the summer by welcoming him back to the Thunderdome, whilst also snapping up Josh Florey and goalie Patrick Russell. South African import Cameron Birrell made the move west to join Cardiff ENL Devils and Dale White opted to test himself in ENL North with the Solihull Barons.
Even Streatham, deep in London managed to get in on the action as Andy Cox and Dax Hedges joined the Redskins, who also captured former Oxford Sport Therapist Kirsty Hopgood to show that it wasn’t just the players who wanted to stay involved in ENL 1 hockey.
Streatham Coach Barry Spours also added Guildford junior Sam Cheema on a two way deal and snapped up defenseman Sam Shone from Slough.
Bristol Pitbulls Coach Richie Hargreaves admitted that he was interested in a move for former Stars goalie Chris Douglas but had been unable to agree terms in time for the weekend. This suddenly became less of a priority for the Bristol hockey mogul as it was revealed that Bristol ice rink was at risk of closure from as early as October 31st this year (subject to planning permission for student flats being accepted in March).
“We were told the news yesterday and our first concern was whether we would be able to finish the season or not” explained an emotional Hargreaves in an interview with the Bristol Evening Telegraph.
“Our last game is in March and we have been told that we will not be affected but I am really gutted because of all the hard work that has been put in over the last three years. We started with 18 guys and we now have four teams and were about to launch a women’s team” “We have worked really hard to become a part of the community and this is going to affect a lot of people. We will be talking to all the other users so we can present a case to Unite to keep the ice rink open”
Maybe it was related to his recent confirmation as a British citizen, or maybe it was because he wanted to lift the gloom around the league, but whatever the reason, Wightlink Raiders Player Coach Jeremy Cornish decided to give a ‘New Years’ message to the fans just like the woman he swore allegiance to does at Christmas (the Queen for our non UK readers).
“We will be working mostly on our fitness, after a couple weeks layoff it’s important we are ready to outwork Invicta from the drop of the puck” explained Cornish.
Dream come true Leone
“The next couple of weeks will be interesting for our team, we have a couple of extra forwards, so it’s going to be difficult figuring out where everyone will fit in for the last half of the season and playoffs. It’s a good problem for us to have, so I hope the guy’s battle hard in practice and in games to make sure they show they want to be part of the club”
Amongst all of this off ice action, two sides actually had to lace up the skates over the holidays as Romford and Chelmsford faced each other in a meaningless South East cup tie at Rom Valley Way.
Meaningless in the sense that Romford won the cup weeks ago but not in the sense that the occasion would still be special for the Raiders as they lifted the first trophy of the season in front of their fans.
“I can’t wait, I’m really looking forward to it” admitted Raiders captain Anthony Leone in an interview with the Romford Recorder ahead of the game.
“I’ve thought about it (lifting silverware) loads of times. I always wanted to be captain at Romford and win things and I hope lots of people come along”
“I’m a bit nervous. You want to be after a positive result and it will be nice to have a lot of people there when you lift it. I hope I don’t have to make a speech, though. I might start crying”
Whether there were tears of joy is unreported however Romford won the game thanks to an 8-5 win despite the game being tied at 4-4 at the end of the second. Leone and Matt Turner hit a brace each for Romford with further goals coming from Grant Taylor, Juraj Huska, Tyrone Miller and Jason Buckman.
Jakub Klima scored two for Chelmsford with Gary Clarke, Danny Hammond and James Ayling getting the others.
Saturday
Streatham unveiled the brand new Brixton ice rink for the game against Romford hoping to do better than the 11-3 demolition we suffered in October. The face off for the game had to be delayed as a queue of people snaked round the outside of the building leaving Brixton market customers wondering what the hell was going on. EIHA official David Hurn was present for a game that we lead 3-1 at one point before Romford’s extra class showed and we lost 6-4. No disgrace against the league leaders but I know most of us felt we could have got at least a point from the game.
MK lose in Cardiff
Adam Mahoney hit a brace for Streatham with Jerry Pavlus and debutant Andy Cox getting the others. Danny Marshall scored two for Romford with Billy Phillips, Andrius Kaminskas, Tom Davies and Juraj Huska getting the others.
Cardiff continued their good form with a straightforward 5-1 win over the MK Thunder in Wales. Adam Harding hit a brace for Mark Cuddihy’s side with James Preece, Ricky Deacon and Jamie Hayes also scoring. Maros Stefanco got the lone Thunder goal.
Still reeling from the shock news about their rink, the Bristol Pitbulls had no time to contemplate their fate as back to back games against high flying Chelmsford started on Saturday in the rink concerned.
No Chris Douglas for Bristol, who started Michael Crisp in goal and he saw seven goals fly past him as the Chieftains notched up a 7-4 win on the road.
Ranby checks out Fisher (Flyfifer.co.uk)
Steven Fisher, Sam Feeney, Alan Armour and Richie Hargreaves all scored for Bristol with James Ayling and Jakub Klima hitting two each for Chelmsford and Michael Ranby, Danny Hammond and Gary Clarke getting the others.
Boosted by their New Year message, Wightlink’s players grabbed a vital home win with an impressive 7-4 win over Invicta Dynamos.
Dom Hopkins, Joe Rand and Nathan Taylor all hit two goals each for the Raiders with Connor Pollard getting a lone goal. Ryan Ellis hit a brace for Invicta with Justin Noble and Jack Tarczycki getting one each.
In a massive game at the bottom of the table, Bracknell Hornets secured a massive 6-4 win over Slough ENL Jets thanks to two goals each from Alan Lack and Danny Hughes, and one each for Matt Ovenden and Tom Fisher (which was an empty netter).
Sunday
Invicta bounced back from defeat on the island with a 6-4 win over the MK Thunder. Justin Noble hit a hat trick for the Mo’s with Andy Smith adding a brace, and Ryan Ellis getting one also. Pavel Hubka, Maros Stefanco, Connor Goode and Martyn Snape were on target for MK who had Harrison Goode ejected for boarding and then Invicta’s Corey Watkins was sent to the showers at the same time for seeking retribution.
Romford and Streatham met again, with the basement side yet again putting up a credible fight against the Raiders. Romford made it 27 home games without defeat thanks to goals from four goal hero Matt Turner and efforts from Danny Marshall, Andrius Kaminskas and Juraj Huska.
Streatham scorers were Norm Pinnington, Jerry Pavlus, Peter Molnar and Russ Stevens.
Lack the hero
Chelmsford hosted Bristol and spookily both teams played out exactly the same result as the night before. Danny Hammond hit two for the Essex side with Michael Ranby, Gary Clarke, Alan Green, James Ayling and Ross Brears all troubling the scorer also.
Sam Feeney and Steven Fisher both got two goals apiece for the Pitbulls.
The final game of the day took place at Absolute Ice in Slough with the ENL Jets taking on the Bracknell Hornets again.
To the jubilation of everyone in Bracknell, the Hornets claimed another last gasp win and a much needed four point weekend thanks to a 6-4 win, with Alan Lack hitting the empty netter to seal the game.
One point to note is that there has still not been any announcement about the abandoned game between Invicta and Cardiff at the end of last year. Whatever the decision, someone is going to be angry.
Results
Saturday 7 January 2012
Streatham Redskins 4 – 6 Romford Raiders
Bristol Pitbulls 4 – 7 Chelmsford Chieftains
Bracknell Hornets 6 – 4 Slough Jets
Wightlink Raiders 7 – 4 Invicta Dynamos
Cardiff Devils 5 – 1 Milton Keynes Thunder
Sunday 8 January 2012
Invicta Dynamos 6 – 4 Milton Keynes Thunder
Romford Raiders 7 – 4 Streatham Redskins
Chelmsford Chieftains 7 – 4 Bristol Pitbulls
Slough Jets 4 – 6 Bracknell Hornets
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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