ENL South Round-up Week 28

LONDON, UK – Wightlink Raiders were finally crowned league champions this weekend, as fans of the English National League now turn their attention towards the race for the remaining play-off spots.
 
The Raiders sealed their first title win in over fourteen years as they thumped Cardiff 9-0 in front of a packed Ryde Arena. As the team bounced up and down on the ice to the predictable strains of Queen’s ‘We are the Champions’, the team management, supporters and officials rightly stood up and applauded their players, who have done exceptionally well to hold off Romford, Chelmsford and Invicta this season.

 
“This is unbelievable” said an ecstatic Jeremy Cornish, whilst speaking to the Isle of Wight County Press after the game.
 
“The guys have worked their tails off all year for this, and to finish with a performance like that is fantastic.”
 
Indeed Cardiff may have arrived on the island short benched, but they predictably came out hard in an attempt to spoil the party. A hat trick from Alex Murray and further goals from Richard Bentham, Jason Gorrie, Dominic Hopkins, Damon Larter, Steve Gosset and Robbie Brown did the damage for Wightlink.
 
For the second consecutive week, two ENL teams went head to head midweek as Bracknell hosted Milton Keynes in an important clash for both teams.
 
Ben Duggan, Tom Fisher, Alan Lack and Danny Hughes were on target for Bracknell, with Maros Stefanco getting the lone goal for Milton Keynes.
 
This was a massive win for Bracknell and a big disappointment for the Thunder, who slipped out of the play-off spots as a result.
 
Sad news came out of Invicta as it was reported that Captain Karl Lennon had announced his retirement in an interview with Powerplay magazine. This is unconfirmed news however if it is true, then it will be sad to see Karl leave a team he has served for a considerable amount of time.
 
This is not the first ‘retirement’ that has been muted by some of our more experienced players across the league, but it is hard to tell whether these actions will be followed up once the 40+ game season is over, and guys have had three or four summer months to realise their love for the game again. It is very much a cycle of love and hate with hockey when you reach a certain age and have other commitments like kids, a full time partner and other ‘life’ stuff.
 
Sometimes that enthusiasm is tested when the late night training sessions and double header weekends come hard and fast, and it is worth remembering that for some players in the ENL, this is the heaviest schedule of our careers.
 
As with any aspect of life, stepping back and looking at the bigger picture often makes you appreciate what happiness hockey can bring and how lucky the players are. This is not in reference to perspective gained from witnessing either the traumatic scenes in Japan, or the conflict in the Arab world at present, but small moments of everyday life.
 
For reasons too mind numbing to repeat, I had to take my skates and sticks on public transport across our capital twice this week. In a city where no one speaks on the Tube or trains unless with close company or blind mortal drunk, I had no less than six conversations with members of the public, all intrigued and fascinated that I played hockey.
 
In particular, the journey on Tuesday left me with a warm glow at the end of it, and not just because one exchange involved a rather attractive German girl called Heidi (stop reading now please Mrs Carr).
 
On the first train a young English family were sat opposite and the kids all started asking questions followed by the adults, this ended up with me writing the Redskins web address down for them such was their enthusiasm. As I left the kids were badgering their stressed parents to let them play hockey.
 
Then on the Victoria Underground line an elderly Jamaican man approached me with a big smile on his face. Fearing a long preaching rant, I gave a pained expression however he quickly told me that he played hockey himself when he was at school and would love to see a game. Ok so it was field hockey and he had only seen the sticks, but he didn’t stop asking questions all the way to Victoria station and said he wished he was younger so he could play such an exciting sport.
 
Then it was the German girl asking for directions, who actually didn’t mention hockey at all, nor did I find out her name but she did stare longingly at my Easton Ultra-Light as I steered her towards Buckingham Palace.
 
On the District line platform I was approached by an American guy who said he supported the Montreal Canadians, gave me a high five and shouted ‘Go Habs’ and ‘Jeez Brits playing hockey’ as he walked off, then walking past a newsagent in Streatham on my final walk to the rink, a guy in a wheelchair raced out and started asking where I played, when the games were and how much he loved the watching the NHL on television.
 
In amongst all of this and to cap off a truly bizarre day of random strangers doing the unthinkable and approaching me to chat about hockey, a blonde girl walked past with a broad Essex accent and Vancouver Olympics jacket chatting to her friend. It was only Olympic and EIHA official Joy Tottman out for a central London stroll.
 
The point of the story, for anyone still awake, is that to be able to play hockey is a gift that many would love but only few can do. We only get a short window of life to play at a competitive level so that is something remembering for everyone who is ready to quit before they are ready. The weekend all day pub sessions and the Toby Carvery will be available for the rest of your life (unless you end up in rehab, and even then the carvery will still be on the cards).
 
On a slightly different note, if Streatham have any sense they will get the guys out on the streets in hockey kit giving leaflets out in the summer, because as the wheelchair guy proved. Even people living near the rink are not a fully saturated resource for new fans.
 
Saturday
 
After a late face-off in Bracknell on Thursday, the Milton Keynes Thunder had to adjust their body clocks again as they had an earlier than usual face-off at home to the Romford Raiders.
 
The Thunder management got together with the management of the EPL Milton Keynes Lightning to offer a combined ticket to both games, as the Lightning faced Manchester Phoenix straight afterwards.
 
This arrangement must have been slightly odd for the Raiders travelling support, who only last season were playing (if not competing) against both the Lightning and Phoenix, but now find themselves in the ENL competing against the wholly amateur Thunder.
 
Romford managed to avoid any slip ups in a relatively one sided clash that saw them win 6-2 courtesy of goals from Adam Smith, Julian Smith, Frankie Harvey, David Oliver, Danny Marshall and Anthony Leone. Milton Keynes scorers were Connor Goode and Maros Stefanco.
 
Oxford City Stars entertained local rivals Swindon ENL Wildcats in a must win game for both sides. Swindon are rapidly running out of opportunities to close the gap on Bristol and Oxford desperately needed points to avoid sliding out of the play-off qualification spots.
 
It was the City Stars, boosted by a higher than normal Saturday gate, that won 8-4 thanks to a hat trick from former Swindon player Gareth Endicott. Player Coach Ken Forshee bagged a brace and Nick Eden, Alan Green and Andy Cox all got goals for Oxford.
 
Swindon scorers were Alasdair Barrow, Stephen Whitfield, Jamie Newton and former Oxford player Shannon Taylor. Oxford’s Green and Swindon’s Luke Merrick dropped the gloves however the linesmen interrupted before a punch could be thrown as the pair danced mid ice (rumours that the DJ played ‘Americanos’ by Holly Johnson and distracted both Green and Merrick are unconfirmed)
 
After their midweek win, Bracknell came out flying at the Riverside against Chelmsford, taking an early 2-0 lead thanks to goals from JJ Pitchley and Alan Lack, however a storming third period comeback from the Chieftains gave the hosts a 5-2 win.
 
Kyle Jones and Ross Brears grabbed two each for Chelmsford with BT Williams getting the other. Much like the Green and Merrick bout at Oxpens Road, Chelmsford’s Tom Long dropped the gloves with Bracknell’s Lewis Turner, but both players ended up hugging on the ice before either dealt a decent blow.
 
One name missing from the Chieftains line up was Aaron Connolly who was icing for Slough Jets in the EPL as part of his two way deal. Connolly got two goals for the Jets in a home win over Peterborough Phantoms, and if he continues in that form, Chelmsford fans may not see much, or indeed anything of him next season.    
 
Sunday
 
A tired Milton Keynes side played their third game in four days as they travelled down to Streatham to take on a Redskins side unbeaten in their last three games.
 
Credit to the visitors that they came at us throughout the game and few fans would have gone home saying it was not an entertaining game.
 
Ross Bowers bagged two for the Thunder and could have had a few more had Shane Kemp not been in such good form between the pipes for us. Streatham scorers were Ed Koral and Joe Johnston who both took their chances well.
 
A point apiece is not ideal but both teams will meet again next weekend in what should be another exciting game. Best anecdote during the game came from youngster Connor Goode who shouted at veteran Redskins player Warren Rost to go back to his coffin. Warren had a little laugh at that one and admitted that it wasn’t a bad effort from the Thunder forward.
 
Speaking of Goode, it must be said that he has improved markedly over the last couple of seasons and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him step up to the EPL Lightning next season like Jacob Heron and Ross Green before him. It goes without saying that Bowers could step up to that level again, as could a couple of the Redskins.
 
Having said that, Goode would do well to look at Mr Rost and how long he has played hockey. It is amazing that someone who made his Redskins debut in the 1980’s, can still be putting on the skates in 2011 after a long and successful career in the game, that saw him, amongst other things, share a house with Keith Gretzky whilst playing at Ayr.
 
Oxford travelled to Chelmsford hoping to improve on their last display at the Riverside, where they were smashed 14-4 last time out. Whilst the Stars put in a much better display this time around, it was not enough to stop the Chieftains notching a four point weekend with a 6-3 win.
 
Oxford gave it a good go, and were 3-2 up at one point before the Chieftains came from behind in the second game running to finish strongly.
 
Chelmsford goals came thanks to a brace each from man of the match Blaho Novak and Danny Hammond, along with lone goals from Matt Turner and Tom Long. Ken Forshee scored two goals for the City Stars with Gareth Endicott scoring the other.
 
Invicta Dynamos suffered a rare loss on home ice as fierce rivals Romford Raiders snatched a 5-2 win in Kent.
 
The match was finely poised at 2-2, however the Raiders pulled away to seal a well-deserved win. Julian Smith, Billy Phillips, Frankie Harvey, Danny Marshall and Pierre Wilhelmsson were on target for Romford, with Mike Timms and Andy Smith scoring for Invicta.
 
The night went from bad to worse as the hot headed Dynamos forward Callum Fowler was kicked out for abusing referee Roman Szucs.
 
Cardiff were in no mood for pleasantries against bottom side Swindon as they dished out a 17-2 pasting to the Wiltshire side.
 
Cardiff scorers were Steve Fisher with five goals, David Sadler, Trent Hope, David James and Jamie Dancey with two each and lone goals for Gareth Dixon, Rob Sedlak, Steve Maile and Phil Manny. Goalie Ross Piggott also got on the score sheet with an assist.
 
Perhaps more satisfying for Devils Coach Mark Cuddihy was the two goal performance from missing ENL Devil Tim Burrows as he stepped up to play for the Elite League Devils in their 9-2 win over the Edinburgh Capitals in Scotland.
 
So Wightlink win the title, Swindon look dead and buried and the play-off qualification race is too tight to call still. Everyone at Streatham wants to be part of the play-offs, however we are not the only side who believe they can do it.
 
To read more on the play-off race please see the Pro Hockey News Preview including words from Joe Johnston (STR), Paul Jamieson (MK), Ben Duggan (BRA), Steve Maile (CAR) and Jamie Thompson (OXF):
 
http://www.prohockeynews.com/hockey/publish/hockeyuk/Race_for_the_ENL_Play-Offs_heats_up.shtml
 
If you would like to read more about the Wightlink Raiders title success please use the link below:
 
http://www.prohockeynews.com/hockey/publish/hockeyuk/Wightlink_clinch_league_title.shtml
 
The last word of the week is reserved for a top bloke and keen competitor Grant Baxter. The Romford Raiders utility player was unavailable for the hockey this weekend due to a new baby arriving. The rumour is that it’s a boy so well done Grant.
 
Results
 
Thursday 17th March
 
Bracknell 4 Milton Keynes 1
 
Saturday 19th March
 
Milton Keynes 2 Romford 6
Wightlink 9 Cardiff 0
Oxford 8 Swindon 4
Chelmsford 5 Bracknell 2
 
 
Sunday 20th March
 
Streatham 2 Milton Keynes 2
Invicta 2 Romford 5
Chelmsford 6 Oxford 3
Cardiff 17 Swindon 2
 
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com