Redskins pose few problems for Raiders

ISLE OF WIGHT , UK – The Wightlink Raiders continued their good run against the ENL strugglers with a comfortable 10-2 home against the Streatham Redskins. The Raiders had booked their playoff spot the previous weekend with a 9-1 win against the Haringey Greyhounds. With playoff hockey secured, the Island team came into this game in a confident mindset looking to improve their league position and avoid champions elect Invicta in the playoffs.
 
This game burst into life from the start. The Redskins took a surprise lead on 3:10 but this just served to kick the home team into life and they scored 4 quick goals in just over three minutes effectively ending the match as a contest by 7:17 . Andy Robinson, Stuart Tait and a double by Captain Danny Hughes, the second of which was a penalty shot, put the Raiders out of sight. The Raiders continued to dominate, out-shooting the Redskins by 23-7 in the period but there was no more scoring. The Redskins woes were increased when Richard Hardy was thrown out on a Match penalty for a check to the head.
 
The second period was a much quieter affair but the home team added to their tally at regular intervals. Two further strikes by the skipper and one by coach Jeremy Cornish stretched the Raiders completely out of sight. Jay Richards got a second for the Redskins to stem the tide momentarily but the Raiders soon resumed control. Both teams took their feet off the gas in the final period but the goals kept coming with Andy Robinson and James Udell getting their names on the score sheet before Danny Hughes completed a personal haul of 5 goals.
 
The Raiders good run against the leagues whipping boys continued the following evening when they travelled to Haringey and again defeated the Greyhounds this time by a score of 8-2. Things will be much tougher this weekend when first placed Invicta visit the Ice Cube before the Raiders travel to Streatham for a return fixture against the Redskins.
 
Contact the author Dave.Logan@Prohockeynews.com