Raiders down Dynamos to stay on title track

ROMFORD, UK – Romford Raiders took another step toward the English National League South One title with a 5-2 defeat of the Invicta Dynamos at Rom Valley Way on Sunday. Raiders, playing their third game in four nights following cup clashes with Chelmsford and Wightlink, dictated much of the play against a Dynamos side fresh from a 6-3 loss to the Bristol Pitbulls on Saturday afternoon. Danny Marshall’s second-period solo effort would stand up as the game-winner, but it was the relentless forechecking of JJ McGrath, Tom Davis and Grant Taylor that finally put the game to bed in the third period. Despite a bright start, Raiders were unable to find a way past Dynamos’ goaltender Andy Moffat prior to the first intermission. Andrius Kaminskas and Danny Marshall both forced sharp saves from the former Romford stopper, while Juraj Huska’s misfire between the circles threatened another opening for Raiders late in the period. Romford’s defence did an excellent job of handling Invicta’s offensive speed through the opening 20 minutes, while Shaun Wallis provided a welcome physical presence alongside Huska and Marshall in the absence of Shaun Yardley. Raiders began the second period in similar fashion, and, after Anthony Leone had hit the post with a rising shot, Julian Smith’s outlet pass from inside his own blueline sprang the Raiders captain to beat Moffat from the left side soon after. Michael Gray’s sprawling save denied Callum Fowler a quick reply, while Kaminskas’ sliding block bore the brunt of a Tim Smith slapshot. Dynamos would eventually tie it up though, Andy Smith turning the puck home on the doorstep following great work by Ryan Ellis at the far boards. But parity was brief for the visitors, as Matt Turner staked Raiders ahead again after AJ and Julian Smith had retained possession on a delayed penalty call. Callum Best knotted the scores for a second time early in the third period, scrambling the puck home after Gray had somehow managed to keep two initial efforts at bay. But again it would not last long for Dynamos, as Marshall’s hard drive to the net and deft finish over Moffat gave Raiders a 3-2 lead that they would not relinquish. Turner fired a loose puck off the underside of the crossbar after a huge spell of Raiders pressure, before Wallis gave the home side their first two-goal lead of the game with a shot from the boards that eluded Moffat. JJ McGrath would cap the scoring, backhanding a loose puck past the sprawling goaltender to secure two big league points for Marshall’s men. Contact the author – alex.nunn@prohockeynews.com