LONDON, UK – The woes of London hockey have been well documented this season, with the inner sanctums of the M25 seemingly shrouded in a depressing cloud of threatened rink closures, financial trouble and poor on-ice performance.
On Saturday, the capital’s two most historic clubs go head to head in a game that has more than local pride at stake. The Haringey Greyhounds travel south of the river to take on rivals Streatham Redskins knowing they probably need at least a point if they are to try and avoid a relegation play off come the end of the season.
Mercer and Hardy drop gloves
Streatham have nothing but pride to play for, and whilst the Greyhounds have two more fixtures after this game, they will be looking at their trip to the High Road as the best chance of securing the points they need to pull above Milton Keynes in the table, and avoid the dreaded relegation play off. They are currently level on points with the Thunder but they have a significantly worse goal difference.
The form guide does not bode well for the Greyhounds. Despite Streatham’s mid table placing, Haringey have lost all three previous derby matches this season with the last encounter ending 8-0 in the Redskins favour.
Since that grey day for Hounds fans at Alexandra Palace, new owner Nick Rothwell has moved to strengthen his team bringing in classy Swiss forward Phillipe Mueller and the effervescent Norman Pinnington. Big forward Callum Mathison has also returned to the team after spending some time out in Ontario.
Mathison returnbs from Canada
Mueller especially has had a major impact scoring eight goals in his first four games. The pacy front man was the difference in the vital three point double header weekend Haringey enjoyed over Milton Keynes. Pinnington has also played his part bringing not only intensity on the ice, but support and charismatic influence in the locker room.
Winger Scott Beeson has found a scoring touch recently to total an impressive eighteen goals for the season, and he believes that Saturday’s game is vital to the Greyhounds survival hopes:
“Saturday’s game is do or die, and action must speak louder then words. I think it’s going to be tough, we have players playing with injuries and the squad is down to the bare bones. We may be missing a big player for us in Michael Ranby, but I’m hoping for a much closer game than the last ”
Streatham are simply relieved to be safe in mid table with games to spare. Out of the two London teams it was the Redskins that were predicted to fare worse this season, when the provisional rosters were released in the pre season. Both sides had lost quality players since 2008/09 with the Redskins losing Captain Joe Johnston and goalie Shane Kemp. The Greyhounds were hit just as hard when outstanding goalie David Wride upped sticks to Bracknell and was joined by hard hitting Canadian Blair Dubyk.
Peter Molnar faces off against Richardson in unfamiliar jersey
One reason for higher expectations North of the river rather than South was the recruitment by the Greyhounds of Redskins trio Perry Richardson, Owen Murphy and Nathan Webb. The author of this piece was the only trade in the opposite direction. With the Redskins seemingly in disarray it was a surprise when they travelled to Haringey in September and with the backing of a boisterous travelling support, snatched a 4-2 victory. The match was a feisty affair with Haringey’s Lee Mercer and Streatham’s Richard Hardy dropping the gloves.
Murphy and Richardson failed to settle in their new home and returned to their former club a few weeks later. Murphy acknowledges how important the upcoming game is for the Greyhounds but maintains the Redskins will go all out for the win:
‘These games are the ones you look out for at the start of the season and having signed for Haringey in September I saw that it’s exactly the same for them too. I only played a handful of games for the Greyhounds before I got the call from Barry (Streatham Coach Barry Spours) and headed back south of the river but it was enough time to realise they have a core of good players, who are also a decent bunch off the ice too,
‘They will come to the High Road desperate for two points and will believe they can do it, but other than the league awarded draw against Milton Keynes (MK) we have a perfect record against the teams beneath us and we are under no illusions that Barry will not accept anything but a win on Saturday. With Haringey’s new signings and the Skins fresh from a win against MK this should be a London derby to remember ‘
Stuart Appleby takes a hit from Liam Rasmussen
The game will be eagerly followed by Milton Keynes Thunder and if the Redskins manage to make it a clean sweep over their North London rivals, Coach Barry Spours and his team can expect a magnum of champagne from the Buckinghamshire side. Knowing the Redskins, they won’t need any extra motivation to try and win this one.
Haringey could have a bright future if they can stay in the league. The long suffering fans at the Palace can see that times are changing, but the team may struggle to attract the players they aspire too if they drop a league next season. The Greyhounds face a date with destiny and they need to be on top form to pull of a great escape.
The final London derby of the season takes place at Streatham Ice Rink on Saturday 13 March with an earlier face off than usual at 16.30. Streatham are keen to repay the fans patience this year and all kids will go free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Thanks for reading and stay safe.
Carrsy
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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