Raiders rout Wildcats in lopsided victory

ROMFORD, UK – Romford’s 23-2 success over the Swindon ENL Wildcats should come as little surprise given the vast disparity between the two rosters this season. The Wildcats young, inexperienced side battled hard throughout and made more than a few inroads toward the latter part of Saturday’s game, but they were never truly up to the task of preventing the Raiders’ stronger squad from racking up a cricket score during a decisive victory at RVW. Records were seen and raised as the Raiders tied their second biggest win of all-time, Juraj Huska’s 12 points (8 goals) equalling a 23-year old team record last set by Gord Jeffrey in January ‘88. Danny Marshall tied his own record for most points in any game by a British player whilst breaking the landmark for most points in a league game by a British player during his four-goal, 11-point night. Frankie Harvey had five assists to surpass the 50-point mark for the season, whilst there were hat-tricks for Huska (8), Marshall (4), JJ McGrath, Anthony Leone and AJ Smith. Jason Buckman missed a second-period penalty shot and Glen Jackson stopped 22 of 24 shots in relief of a rested Michael Gray. The ‘Cats, much to their credit, toiled away until the end and were particularly strong in a much tighter third period. The Raiders had opened up a 20-1 lead after two periods, scoring twice short-handed during the same first-period penalty kill; Danny Marshall converted on a 2-on-1 with Huska 30 seconds before the pair flipped roles, Huska scoring his second of eight for the night. Romford scored nine times during a six-minute spell in the second period, Leone, AJ Smith and McGrath all completing their respective hat-tricks past a helpless Kevin McGurk in the Swindon goal. Sam Feeney and Jamie Newton tallied either side of the second intermission for the Wildcats before Marshall and Huska traded goals to complete the rout. The Slovakian continues to carve a path through the ENL with a tremendous 35 goals in 15 games since signing with the Raiders in November as a replacement for the departing Al Visockas. The victory was Romford’s tenth consecutive league win, a number they’ll hope to increase as they continue to play catch-up on Invicta, Wightlink and Chelmsford above them. Contact the author – alex.nunn@prohockeynews.com